Despite undergoing weapons training, the Philippine Navy
(PN)'s two AW-109E "Power" attack helicopters are still
"deployable" for combat missions.
This was revealed by PN public affairs office chief Cmdr.
Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Friday.
"They are still 'deployable' despite the fact the crews
are still undergoing weapons training," he said in Filipino.
Lincuna said the training is a top priority for all AW-109E
pilots and crewmen as this is the first attack helicopter in the PN inventory.
The PN's two attack AW-109E helicopters was commissioned
last Aug.10.
It is armed with two .50 caliber machinegun pods and six
2.74 inch rocket launchers each.
The PN's AW-109E contract for five helicopters, including
the two armed units, is worth Php1.33 billion.
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.
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 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=846913
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.