Aside from improving the country's maritime domain awareness capabilities, the three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters, which were delivered and commissioned last December, are also capable of being converted into a speedy medical evacuation aircraft.
Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said this conversion merely involves the installation of litters and removal of some surplus equipment.
The conversion can be done in a matter of minutes.
He added that the AW-109s, on this configuration, can carry up to six people.
Fabic said that this capability is very ideal considering that once on patrol, the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates, cannot just leave its area should a medical emergency occur aboard the ship.
He added that this ability is very much needed considering that the PN is one of the first responders in times of natural and man-made calamities as proven during the time of Supertyphoon "Yolanda" last November.
The AgustaWestland aircraft has a maximum cruising speed of over 160 knots.
These capabilities prompted the PN to acquire the AW-109s from other helicopter units being sold in the international markets.
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.
It'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.
The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many others 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=604760
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