Although rated for surveillance and patrol work, the three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters commissioned by the Navy last week can be fitted with defensive armaments.
Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the AW-109s are equipped with pintles (insertion ports) where a 7.62mm machine gun can be mounted.
He added that this weapon will allow the aircraft to conduct interdiction missions more effectively as the machine gun will allow it to fire on suspicious looking craft that ignores its call to stop.
Fabic said that the weapon can be fitted anytime and within a short time by the flight crew when ever necessary.
Another two AW-109s, the attack version of the helicopter, are expected to arrive during the third quarter of 2014.
The AW-109 "Power" helicopter 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 seas 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, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=599500
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