Thursday, March 19, 2015

Navy AW-109s now waiting for guns, other armament

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19): Navy AW-109s now waiting for guns, other armament

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 last December.

This is part of the five-helicopter deal, worth Php1.33-billion, signed by the Philippines with AgustaWestland in early 2013.

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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