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AgustaWestland AW149

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AW149
AW149 over RIAT in 2022
General information
TypeMedium-lift military helicopter
National originItaly
ManufacturerAgustaWestland
Finmeccanica
Leonardo S.p.A.
StatusIn service
Primary usersEgyptian Navy
History
Manufactured2009-present
First flight13 November 2009
Developed fromAgustaWestland AW139
VariantsAgustaWestland AW189
Developed intoLeonardo Helicopters AW249

The AgustaWestland AW149 is a medium-lift multi-role military helicopter developed by AgustaWestland, now Leonardo, launched in 2006 and had its first flight in 2009. By 2014 it had received military flight certification, and it went on to enter production going into military service with Egypt and Thailand. It is also planned for Poland with a new PZL-Swidnik production line there that opened in 2024, and North Macedonia has a pending order. The aircraft the only contender for the British NMH procurement program in the 2020s.

Design and development

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The AW149 began life as an all-new, military design. [1] It was unveiled at the 2006 Farnborough Air Show, with a larger fuselage and more powerful engines compared to the AW139, resulting in a greater cargo volume and payload carrying ability.[2] On 13 November 2009, the first prototype conducted its first flight from AgustaWestland's Vergiate manufacturing facility in northern Italy.[3] On 26 February 2011, the second prototype, the first with production model engines, made its first flight from Vergiate.[4]

On 20 June 2011 AgustaWestland announced the AW189, a civilian development of the AW149, for service in 2013.[5]

Operational history

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AW149 on presentation flight in 2012

Military certification for the AW149 was announced by Finmeccanica at the 2014 Farnborough airshow.[6] The landing gear can sustain a touchdown with a sink speed of 9.5 m/s, compared with the 2 m/s for a civilian helicopter. The AW149 is being marketed as an alternative to the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk family. Thailand has ordered 5 AW149 helicopters, and is the first export customer.[7][8] The Italian Air Force considered it as a search and rescue helicopter, but chose the lighter AW139M instead.

In April 2019, the Egyptian Navy ordered 24 AW149s with option for 10 more; first deliveries took place in late 2020.[9][10][11]

AgustaWestland submitted a version of the AW149, designated TUHP149, as a candidate for the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) for the Turkish Armed Forces. The programme sought an initial batch of 109 helicopters worth $4 billion, prospective follow-on orders for subsequent batches may eventually rise to 300 rotorcraft.[12][13] On 21 April 2011, the Turkish defence minister announced that the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk had been selected as the winner.[14]

Leonardo has proposed the AW149 for the UK's New Medium Helicopter programme, which aims to replace the RAF's Puma helicopters, with production to be at Leonardo's Yeovil factory if the bid is successful.[15]

In June 2022 Polish defence minister said Poland would order 32 AW149 helicopters, with production to be at Leonardo's PZL Świdnik factory.[16][17][18] The contract was signed on 1 July 2022, and has a value of $1.85 billion (€1.76 billion). Delivery planned in years 2023-2029.[19][20] In 2024, the Polish AW149 production line opened.[21]

Operators

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At the 2011 Paris Air Show
AW149 on display at Radom Airbase Air Show in 2013
On display at MSPO 2012
AW149 at RIAT 2015
AW149 at the 2015 Malta International Airshow

Civilian operators

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Current operators

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 Thailand
Royal Thai Police[22] (1 in service)

Military operators

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Current operators

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 Egypt
Egyptian Navy[9][23][10][11] (24 ordered in 2019 with options for 10 more; 5 delivered in 2020, 5 delivered in 2021)
 Poland
Polish Army[16] (32 ordered in 2022, delivery planned from 2023 to 2029, 3 delivered in 2023)
 Thailand
Royal Thai Army[22] (5 in service)

Future operators

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 North Macedonia
Army of North Macedonia (4 AW149 on order)[24]

Potential operators

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 Malaysia
Leonardo offered the AW149 to replace the Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri of the Malaysian Air Force in 2024.[25] The Malaysian authorities already use the AW189, the civilian variant of this helicopter.
The planned purchase is to take place in two phases:[26]
  • Phase 1 - 12 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)-capable utility helicopters
  • Phase 2 - 12 utility helicopters
 United Kingdom
As part of the NMH programme (New Medium Helicopter), the Royal Air Force is looking for a successor to the 23 Westland Puma HC2, the 3 Bell 412 Griffin, and the British Army is looking to replace 3 Bell 212 and 6 Airbus AS365 Dauphin.[27][28]
Airbus Helicopters, Sikorsky and Leonardo initially participated the competition with the Airbus H175M, the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk and the Leonardo AW149.
Both Airbus and Sikorsky withdrew from the competition in August 2024, which leaves the AW149 as the sole bidder.[29] It is unclear whether the new British government will follow through with this purchase, or if the programme will be cancelled.[30]

Specifications (AW149)

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Data from AgustaWestland.[31] [32]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 19 troops with light equipment, 16 combat laden troops
  • Length: 17.57 m (57 ft 8 in)
  • Diameter: 14.60 m (47 ft 11 in)
  • Width: 3.06 m (0 in)
  • Height: 5.14 m (16 ft 10 in)
  • Volume: 11.2 m3 (400 cu ft) for the cab, 2.4 m3 (85 cu ft) for stowage
  • Max takeoff weight: 8,600 kg (18,960 lb)
  • Useful lift: 3,880 kg (8,550 lb) useful load, 2,800 kg (6,200 lb) for the cargo hook
  • Powerplant: 2 × Safran Aneto-1K , 1,715 kW (2,300 hp) each Maximum continuous power[33]
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric CT7-2E1 , 1,479 kW (1,983 hp) each take-off power, 1,395 kW (1,871 shp) of maximum continuous power[34]
  • Main rotor diameter: 14.6 m (47 ft 11 in)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 310 km/h (190 mph, 170 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn)
  • Range: 1,009 km (627 mi, 545 nmi)
  • Endurance: 5h 05 mins
  • Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,000 ft) (1,770 m (5,810 ft) hovering ceiling)

Armament

Avionics
Open architecture

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ "UK's Aging Helicopter Military Fleet Set to Be Replaced by Leonardo's Robust AW149 Medium Helicopter". Army Recognition. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  2. ^ [1] [permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "AW149 & AW159 complete first flights". Australian Aviation. 16 November 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  4. ^ "AW149 Makes Its Public Premiere At The 2011 Paris Air Show". AgustaWestland. 20 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  5. ^ "AgustaWestland Unveils The AW189 Helicopter". AgustaWestland. 20 June 2011. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  6. ^ "Military certification for the AW149" Archived 1 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine Leonardo, July 2014.
  7. ^ Nondhasa, Sompong (18 December 2016). "Thai Army puts faith in Leonardo". Shephard Media. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Royal Thai Army buys AW149 and six AW139s". Jeremy Parkin. Helihub. 9 December 2016. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  9. ^ a b Cabirol, Michel (25 April 2019). "Armement : mais qu'est-ce qui se passe entre la France et l'Egypte". La Tribune (in French). Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  10. ^ a b [2] [dead link‍]
  11. ^ a b Perry, Dominic (18 January 2021). "Egyptian AW149 fleet grows with late 2020 deliveries". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  12. ^ Engínsoy, Ümít (21 March 2011). "Turkish defense panel may select new copter type Tuesday". Hürriyet Daily News. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  13. ^ Osbek, Tolga."Turkey to decide in June between AW149, 'T-70' Black Hawk." Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 9 April 2007.
  14. ^ Ozbek, Tolga (21 April 2011). "Sikorsky wins Turkish utility helicopter battle". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  15. ^ Perry, Dominic (14 September 2021). "Leonardo Helicopters boosts UK content on AW149 for NMH bid". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  16. ^ a b Sabak, Juliusz (13 June 2022). "Polska kupuje śmigłowce AW149 w programie Perkoz" [Poland buys AW149 helicopters in Perkoz programme]. Defence24.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  17. ^ Osborne, Tony (13 June 2022). "Poland Plans To Buy AW149 Fleet, Defense Minister Says". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  18. ^ Zecchini, Francesco (14 June 2022). "Leonardo set to benefit from Polish military helicopter order". Reuters. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  19. ^ "Umowa na dostawę 32 śmigłowców AW149 podpisana" [Contract for 32 AW149 helicopters signed]. DziennikZbrojny.pl (in Polish). 1 July 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Perkoz zakupiony w Świdniku". Defence24.pl. July 2022. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  21. ^ Domingo, Juster (6 June 2024). "Leonardo Opens AW149 Helicopter Production Line in Poland". The Defense Post. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  22. ^ a b "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  23. ^ Perry, Dominic (25 April 2019). "AW149 helicopter nets crucial export order from Egypt". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  24. ^ "North Macedonia Buys Eight New Helicopters From Leonardo – The Defense Post". Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  25. ^ "LIMA 2023: Leonardo promoting AW149 for Malaysia". Janes. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  26. ^ admin (7 October 2024). "Royal Malaysian Air Force Considers Leonardo AW149 for Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King Replacement - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  27. ^ Jennings, Gareth (14 September 2021). "DSEI 2021: Contenders showcase New Medium Helicopter offerings for UK". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  28. ^ Losey, Stephen (27 February 2024). "UK opens bidding for new helicopter, to award contract in 2025". Defense News. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  29. ^ Felstead, Peter (30 August 2024). "Airbus and Lockheed Martin withdraw from NMH, leaving Leonardo as the sole bidder - European Security & Defence". euro-sd.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  30. ^ Felstead, Peter (30 August 2024). "Airbus and Lockheed Martin withdraw from NMH, leaving Leonardo as the sole bidder - European Security & Defence". euro-sd.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  31. ^ "AW149". agustawestland.com. Italy. Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  32. ^ "AW149 Multi-mission performance". uk.leonardo.com. UK.
  33. ^ "AW149 brochure" (PDF). Leonardo. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  34. ^ "AW149 brochure". Leonardo. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
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