Navy's Armed AW-109Es to be Delivered Before Year-End

Armed version of AW-109 (Johnny Cuppens)

MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday announced that the two armed versions of its AgustaWestland AW-109Es are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2014.

This was confirmed by Navy public affairs office chief Cmdr. Gregory Fabic in an interview with the PNA.

"They will be delivered before the end of the year," he stressed.

These versions will be armed with machine guns and air-to-ground rockets.

Three of the PN's AW-109Es, the unarmed version, was formally activated and tasked to join the fleet last May 21.

These aircraft were formally commissioned into service last Dec. 22.

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. 

(PNA)