Friday, January 2, 2015

AW-109s enhances maritime air patrol capabilities of PN

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3): AW-109s enhances maritime air patrol capabilities of PN

The AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters, now in service aboard the two Gregorio Del Pilar frigates, have greatly enhanced the maritime air patrol and surveillance capability of the Philippine Navy (PN).

This was stressed by Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad in a statement.

"Likewise, (the AW-109s have greatly enhanced) the conduct of disaster response operations. They are also projected to be onboard components of the SSVs (strategic sealift vessels) and (missile-armed) frigates (which is now ongoing bidding)," he added.

The PN currently possess three AW-109s. They were delivered and commissioned in December 2013.

The last two units of the five helicopter deal with AgustaWestland was delivered last Dec. 29 and now undergoing assembly and testing prior commissioning.

The contract is worth Php1.33 billion.

The last two will be armed with machine guns, 20mm cannons and possibly air-to-ground rockets.

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.

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=721336

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