With the Philippine Navy scheduled to take delivery of three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters it ordered by December, PN flag officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano has said he expects the naval service to be a more capable force.
He added that the helicopters will be deployed aboard the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) and will greatly increase the monitoring and maritime domain awareness capabilities of the two ships.
"This will extend the surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of our ships, making them ideal vessels to protect the country's vast territorial waters," Alano stressed.
The PN's AW-109 helicopter deal is worth P1.33 billion.
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, para-public and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=589911
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