AW109 Power helicopter, made by AgustaWestland
The Philippine Navy will soon have three AW109 Power naval helicopters in its inventory to boost its maritime security and disaster response capabilities.
This follows the signing of a contract between Anglo-Italian firm AugustaWestland and the Philippine Navy for "three AW109 Power maritime helicopters plus two options". The contract also includes initial logistics support and training for aircrew and maintenance personnel.
The Department of Defense (DND) last year approved the acquisition of the three naval helicopters with a contract price of P1.3 billion.
"We are delighted that the Philippine Navy has selected the AW109 Power as part of its armed forces modernisation programme after an extensive evaluation of competing types," Vincenzo Alaimo, AgustaWestland’s Head of Regional Sales for SE Asia, said in a statement.
Alaimo added, "The AW109 Power’s multi-role abilities and high performance will provide the Philippine Navy with an enhanced maritime operational capability.”
The aircraft, due for delivery to the Navy in 2014, will be used for a wide range of naval missions including economic zone protection, surface surveillance, search and rescue (SAR) and maritime security. It will operate from both shore and ship bases.
The AW109 Power is a three-tonne class, eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206C engines with FADEC. The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.
The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines. The AW109 Power has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
The AW109 Power’s superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class. For shipboard operations the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.
According to the helicopter company, the ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW109 Power to perform its mission when many others helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.
The purchase agreement for the three naval helicopters was made between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and AugustaWestland under negotiated procurement process through Section 53.2 (Emergency Procurement) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of R.A. 9184.
On November 28, 2012, AugustaWestland was declared by the Naval Helicopter Acquisition Project (NHAP) Negotiating Committee as the single calculated and responsive proponent after going through the process of a negotiated procurement.
Upon the recommendation of the DND Bids and Awards Committee, the Secretary of National Defense issued a notice of award last December 4, 2012.
http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=5460&sid=1&subid=2
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