Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol, Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson, said on Thursday that having both the Navy and the Air Force acquire and operate Agusta Westland's AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a wise and very cost-effective move by the government.
"It eases integration and (both services) can share in logistic (support) and best practices. That is a very cost- effective move," he stressed.
The PAF will soon operate eight armed versions of the AW-109 while the Navy will get five units of these helicopters, three to be delivered this coming December.
PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic shared Okol's opinion and stressed that having both services operate the same type of helicopter will greatly boost their interoperability or capability to conduct joint operations using the same air platform.
"Having the same platform, interoperability in terms of exchange of pilot and crew, training and logistical requirement will surely be enhanced," he said.
Fabic stated that as part of their interoperability training with the PAF, both services will also conduct deck landing qualifications on PN frigates and logistic vessels.
The AW-109 "Power" is a three-ton class eight-seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
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 AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
Its 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.
The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=583981
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