Il “Light Utility Helicopter” dell'Esercito Italiano: l'AW 169 M

L’Esercito Italiano, nell’ambito del programma “Light Utility Helicopter”, ha dato il via al completamento dello sviluppo della Variante Multiruolo Avanzato dell’elicottero Leonardo AW-169; inoltre la difesa ha dato corso all'acquisizione dei primi 15 esemplari di serie. 

Il programma iniziale ha previsto l'acquisizione di 2 elicotteri in variante Addestratore Basico Commerciale ed il relativo supporto tecnico-logistico e addestrativo.

Il programma del Reparto di volo dell’Esercito Italiano avrà un costo complessivo pari a 337 milioni di €, per nove anni.

L'AW169M - versione militare dell'AW169 - è il nuovo bimotore leggero intermedio che soddisfa i requisiti più esigenti in materia di sicurezza. L’elicottero garantisce eccellenti prestazioni, massima versatilità e la capacità di operare anche in ambienti ostili.

E' equipaggiato con avionica integrata di ultima generazione e glass cockpit che riducono al minimo il carico di lavoro dell'equipaggio a vantaggio della sicurezza.

L'interno della cabina, libero da strutture interne, consente rapidi cambi di configurazione per soddisfare tutte le esigenze operative. La tolleranza balistica, i serbatoi auto sigillanti e un sistema avanzato di protezione assicurano elevati livelli di sopravvivenza.

E' in grado di svolgere diverse missioni, quali trasporto truppe, supporto logistico, sorveglianza e ricognizione, operazioni delle forze speciali, comando e controllo, evacuazione medica, ricerca e soccorso e recupero  personale.

L’elicottero può essere equipaggiato con un'ampia gamma di sistemi, sensori e armamento interno ed esterno per offrire la massima flessibilità operativa.

Caratteristiche principali

L’elicottero è dotato di sistemi per il volo strumentale o a vista compatibili con Night Vision Google (NVG) per il volo notturno. L’integrazione avionica migliora la consapevolezza della situazione da parte dell’equipaggio e ne riduce il carico di lavoro.

I motori Pratt & Whitney, dotati di controllo elettronico digitale (FADEC), consentono all’elicottero di volare anche in condizioni ambientali estreme.

La cabina, spaziosa e libera da strutture interne, è in grado di imbarcare fino a 10 soldati completamente equipaggiati. La flessibilità in termini di configurazione permette di convertire rapidamente la cabina in caso di emergenze, trasportando fino a due barelle in volo.

Le ampie porte scorrevoli (1,60 m di larghezza) consentono facilità di ingresso e uscita e l’utilizzo del verricello e di altri equipaggiamenti.

L’ampia gamma di equipaggiamenti include radio multibanda, sensori all’infrarosso (EO/IR), faro di ricerca, altoparlanti, gancio baricentrico e sistemi d’arma.

Le armi interne includono una mitragliatrice da 12,7 mm o due mitragliatrici da 7,62 mm.

Le armi esterne comprendono mitragliatrici da 7,62 mm, 12,7 mm, razzi guidati e non, missili aria-terra.

Il Leonardo AW169 è un elicottero, in fase di produzione dal 2015, prodotto dall'azienda italiana (precedentemente dalla AgustaWestland, poi confluita nella nuova Finmeccanica, rinominata Leonardo dal 2017). Si tratta di un bimotore leggero, che può essere configurato per un massimo di 10 posti. Le prime consegne sono previste per il secondo trimestre del 2015.

Progettazione e sviluppo

L'elicottero è stato presentato al pubblico il 19 luglio 2010 durante il 47° Farnborough International Air Show; è stato subito considerato il concorrente dei più famosi Eurocopter EC 145 e Eurocopter Dauphin.

Il 10 maggio 2012 ha compiuto il primo volo mentre l'azienda italiana ha previsto l'entrata in servizio per il 2014. Secondo le stime dell'AgustaWestland entro il 2030 saranno operativi circa 1 000 unità di AW169.

L'AW169 è stato concepito per avere un peso massimo al decollo di 4 800 kg, questo lo colloca in una posizione intermedia all'interno della gamma dell'azienda, tra il più piccolo AW109, elicottero a 8 posti con 3 400 kg, e il più grosso AW139, elicottero con 15 posti e 7000 kg.

Storia

Il primo prototipo ha volato per la prima volta a Cascina Costa, presso lo stabilimento Agusta, il 10 maggio 2012 al comando dei piloti collaudatori Giuseppe Lo Coco e Giuseppe Afruni e degli ingegneri di volo Massimo Longo e Stefano Rognoni. È prevista la realizzazione di altri tre prototipi entro il 2013.

Nel mese di aprile del 2013 l'AgustaWestland ha presentato una versione per partecipare ad un concorso indetto dell'U.S. Army e, tale versione, è stata definita come AW 169 AAS. Il programma dell'esercito militare statunitense cerca di trovare un sostituto al Bell OH-58 Kiowa, ritenuto non compatibile alle esigenze odierne della forza armata. L'azienda italo-inglese sostiene che, anche se il proprio elicottero pesa il doppio rispetto al Kiowa, l'AW 169 permette una migliore flessibilità d'utilizzo, sistemi tecnologici all'avanguardia e la possibilità di aggiornare l'elicottero facilmente per sostenere le future operazioni.[7]

Nel 2015 è iniziata la produzione, mentre la consegna è prevista per il secondo trimestre del 2015.

A partire dal 2017, l'AW169 viene impiegato nel ruolo HEMS nelle basi di Pescara, Messina e Pantelleria operati da Babcock MCS Italia (già Inaer Italia); Elitaliana opera un AW169 per conto dell'ARES 118 della Regione Lazio e Alidaunia opera un altro AW169 HEMS nella base di Foggia.

Utilizzatori

Civili

• Belgio - NHV GROUP 2 AW169 ordinati a giugno 2019, con consegna prevista tra il 2019 e il 2020.
• Corea del Sud Heli-Korea
• Emirati Arabi Uniti Falcon Aviation
• Germania HeliService
• Italia - Airgreen - Alidaunia - Babcock MCS Italia - Elitaliana
• Malaysia Weststar Aviation Sevice - 3 AW169 ordinati a marzo 2019
• Norvegia - Airlift AS - 3 AW169 consegnati e tutti in servizio all'agosto 2019.
• Regno Unito - Specialist Aviation Services
• Stati Uniti - Travis County STAR Flight - 3 AW169
• Svezia - Babcock Scandinavian AirAmbulance
• Svizzera - REGA - 3 AW169 ordinati (inizio consegne previsto nel 2020).


Governativi

• Argentina - Gendarmería Nacional Argentina 1 AW169 ordinato.
• Italia - E.I. 15 esemplari - Servizio aereo della Guardia di Finanza - 22 AW169M più un pacchetto completo di supporto e addestramento ordinati a novembre 2018, con consegne che dovrebbero iniziare dopo l'estate 2019 e concludersi nel 2024. Gli elicotteri saranno, inoltre, equipaggiati con un’ampia gamma di sistemi e sensori forniti da Leonardo tra i quali sistema di missione RW ATOS con una consolle avanzata, il radar di sorveglianza Gabbiano, il sistema elettro-ottico LEOSS, il transponder per individuazione amico/nemico IFF M428, sistemi di comunicazione V/UHF, pannelli di controllo e sistemi luci e la possibilità di impiegare il sistema iperspettrale per telerilevamento SPHYDER. Il primo esemplare è stato consegnato il 12 novembre 2019.
• Norvegia Norsk Politi (Polizia Norvegese) 3 AW169 consegnati nel 2019, altri 3 in opzione.

ENGLISH

The Italian Army, as part of the "Light Utility Helicopter" programme, has started the completion of the development of the Advanced Multirole Variant of the Leonardo AW-169 helicopter; in addition, the defence has started the acquisition of the first 15 series production units. 

The initial program included the acquisition of 2 helicopters in the Commercial Basic Trainer variant and the related technical-logistical and training support.

The programme of the Italian Army Flight Department will have a total cost of € 337 million, for nine years.

The AW169M - military version of the AW169 - is the new intermediate light twin-engined aircraft that meets the most demanding safety requirements. The helicopter guarantees excellent performance, maximum versatility and the ability to operate in hostile environments.

The AW169M is equipped with the latest generation of integrated avionics and glass cockpit that minimize the crew workload for safety.

The cabin interior, free from internal structures, allows quick configuration changes to meet all operational requirements. Ballistic tolerance, self-sealing tanks and an advanced protection system ensure high levels of survival.

The AW169M is capable of performing a variety of missions such as troop transport, logistical support, surveillance and reconnaissance, special forces operations, command and control, medical evacuation, search and rescue and personal recovery.

The helicopter can be equipped with a wide range of systems, sensors and internal and external armament to offer maximum operational flexibility.

Main features

The helicopter is equipped with instrument or visual flight systems compatible with Night Vision Google (NVG) for night flight. The avionics integration improves the crew's situational awareness and reduces their workload.

Pratt & Whitney engines, equipped with digital electronic control (FADEC), allow the helicopter to fly even in extreme environmental conditions.

The cabin, spacious and free of internal structures, is able to carry up to 10 fully equipped soldiers. The flexibility in terms of configuration allows the cabin to be quickly converted in case of emergencies, carrying up to two stretchers in flight.

The large sliding doors (1.60 m wide) allow easy entry and exit and the use of the winch and other equipment.

The wide range of equipment includes multi-band radio, infrared sensors (EO/IR), searchlight, loudspeakers, barycentric hook and weapon systems.

Internal weapons include a 12.7mm machine gun or two 7.62mm machine guns.

External weapons include 7.62 mm machine guns, 12.7 mm machine guns, guided and non-guided rockets, air-to-ground missiles.

The AgustaWestland AW169 is a twin-engine, 10-seat, 4.8t helicopter developed and manufactured by the helicopter division of Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland, merged into Finmeccanica since 2016). It was designed to utilise a high degree of commonality with the larger AgustaWestland AW139 and AgustaWestland AW189.

Development

On 19 July 2010, AgustaWestland formally announced that the AW169 was under development at the Farnborough International Air Show. According to AgustaWestland, the 4.5 ton AW169 is a light-intermediate twin engine rotorcraft intended for a range of utility operations; to lower prospective operational costs, a decision was made early on for the AW169 to share a large level of commonality across both components and the cockpit configuration with the larger AgustaWestland AW139. In 2011, the British Government provided a $33 million loan to AgustaWestland for the AW169 development program. In 2012, the European Union approved a 19-year €272 million zero‑interest loan from the Italian government to AgustaWestland to finance the development of the AW169; industrial research is 40% of the total, and experimental development is 60%, while the aid element is €94 million.

On 10 May 2012, the first prototype of the type conducted its first flight. The testing program involved a total of four prototypes; the second and third AW169s joined the flight test program later on in 2012, and the fourth in 2013. AgustaWestland had initially anticipated that the AW169 would receive flight certification in 2014, and had planned for production AW169 aircraft to enter service by 2015. On 15 July 2015, the European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA) issued its certification for the AW169.

In November 2015, a prototype was dispatched to various locations in California, United States, for high and low altitude flight tests in support of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. In February 2016, the AW169 received FAA certification, enabling deliveries of the type to occur later that year.

In 2012, AgustaWestland stated that it was planning to produce the AW169 in its facilities in Yeovil, England; the design and manufacture of various components such as the rotor blades, intermediate and tail gearboxes, and tail rotor hub has been performed by AgustaWestland's UK branch. In January 2015, the assembly of the first production AW169s began at AgustaWestland's factory in Vergiate, Italy; initial production models were produced at this site. In 2015, manufacturing activity on the AW169 also commenced on a second production line at AgustaWestland's facility in Philadelphia, USA; the rate of production is reportedly planned to be increased to 20 US-built rotorcraft per year by 2017. However, in October 2016, it was announced that Leonardo, the rebranded identity of AgustaWestland, had decided to abandon work on its planned US production of the type.

Design

The AW169 is a medium-sized twin engine helicopter; upon launch, it held the distinction of being the first all new aircraft in its weight category in over 30 years. Weighing roughly 4,500 kg and accommodating 7-10 passengers, it is positioned between the 3,175 kg 8-seat AW109GrandNew and the much larger 6,400 kg 15-seat AW139. The AW169 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A FADEC turboshaft engines, which drives the main rotor at variable speeds to reduce external noise and increase efficiency. Newly developed dampeners were installed between the rotor blades of the main rotor in order to reduce vibration levels for a smooth passenger experience. It has the distinction of being the first production helicopter of its category to feature electronically-actuated landing gear. AgustaWestland has reported having various customers for the AW169, including air ambulance, law enforcement, executive/corporate, offshore transport and utility sectors.

The AW169 is equipped with various avionics systems, including a Rockwell Collins glass cockpit featuring three displays outfitted with touchscreen interfaces, digital maps, dual radar altimeters, automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast tracking, Health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), and night vision goggles (NVG) compatibility. Many elements of the cockpit and avionics are similar to those installed on the AgustaWestland AW139 and the AgustaWestland AW189, providing a high level of support. The use of a four-axis digital automatic flight control system and a dual flight management system incorporating terrain and traffic avoidance systems has allowed for the rotorcraft to be certified to be flown by a single pilot under instrument flight rules (IFR).

There is no auxiliary power unit installed on the AW169; instead, the transmission features a clutch to allow the rotors to be stopped while the port engine continue to run to power the avionics and onboard electrical systems. On customer request, the AW169 can be equipped with a comprehensive full ice protection system; alternatively, a limited ice protection system may also be integrated. To meet differing customer's requirements and preferences, the AW169 can be configured with numerous optional items of equipment, such as auxiliary fuel tanks, rescue hoist, cargo hook, emergency flotation aids, external cameras, rappelling fittings, wire strike protection system, mission consoles, external loudspeakers, and external lighting arrangements.

In a utility passenger configuration, up to 10 people can be accommodated in the AW169's main cabin, while a corporate transport arrangement can house a maximum of eight people, and a more spacious VIP layout holds six to seven passengers instead. The VIP interior, developed and offered by Mecaer Aviation Group (MAG), features include the Silens noise and vibration-reduction system, the IFEEL In-flight entertainment system, and numerous luxurious cabin refinements. In the emergency medical services (EMS) role, the cabin can accommodate a pair of stretchers while maintaining easy access across each patient from either side, a full medical suite can also be installed.

Operational history

In April 2013, AgustaWestland unveiled the AW169 AAS as its contender in the United States Army's Armed Aerial Scout program. It was the biggest entry with a 10,000 lb gross weight, nearly twice the weight of the Bell OH-58 Kiowathat was being replaced. AgustaWestland stated that its size provided unprecedented cabin flexibility for extended range tanks, command and control facilities, and perhaps manned-unmanned teaming workstations. The size was a potential issue in some respects, such as the number that can be air-transported by a strategic airlifter; AgustaWestland said it had solutions to meet the Army's disassembly and reassembly time limits, and emphasised the type's size and performance values. In later 2013, the AAS program was terminated without any procurement being made.

In September 2015, it was reported that the first AW169 had been delivered to an unidentified VIP customer. The launch customer for the AW169 is Lease Corporation International (LCI); by October 2015, LCI had a total of 12 AW169s on order, the first of which being configured to perform offshore operations. In October 2014, it was announced that the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance would become the first Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operator to use the AW169 in the United Kingdom. In December 2015, AgustaWestland and air-rescue operator REGA announced the formation of a partnership agreement to develop a dedicated search and rescue (SAR) variant of the AW169, REGA also ordered an initial three such rotorcraft at the same time.

By February 2016, at least 20 AW169s had been delivered to various customers across the world and have been used in roles such as EMS, VIP transport, utility and offshore duties.

In April 2017, Leonardo announced it would sell an AW169 to Argentina to serve in the Argentine border guard.

In July 2017, the National Police Directorate of Norway announced that it had entered into an agreement with Leonardo to purchase three AW169 for a value of 313 million NOK. The contract includes 10 years support and maintenance for a total contract of 670 million NOK. The contract includes an option for further three AW169s. The helicopters are expected to enter service by 2019. The helicopters will be a substantial upgrade from the two Eurocopter EC135 currently in use. The main competitor for the contract was the Eurocopter EC145.

Variants:

• AW169
• AW169M Designation for militarised variant, with adaptations for troop transport, utility support, maritime patrol, armed reconnaissance and close air support operations.

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