The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday announced that two
AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters are now waiting for its
guns and other armament before undergoing its acceptance and flight test.
According to PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued
Lincuna, "The two AW-109 cleared its Custom requirements last January and
it is now at secured facility while waiting for its guns and other armaments to
be be installed."
The two armed AW-109 airframes arrived in the Philippines
This is part of the five-helicopter deal, worth
Php1.33-billion, signed by the Philippines
Three of the AW-109s were delivered and commissioned in Dec.
22, 2013.
The armed versions of the AW-109s will be armed with machine
guns, 20mm cannons and possibly, with 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=745907
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