AW149 edges towards first flight

David Donald

Friday, 11 September, 2009

Dominating the Finmeccanica stand here at DSEi (Stand 565) is a full-scale mock-up of the AgustaWestland AW149 utility helicopter. The AW149 is shown in TUHP-149 configuration, which is vying for the potentially huge Turkish Utility Helicopter Program.

AgustaWestland first announced the development of the AW149 in 2006, building on the AW139 design to provide a medium utility helicopter with an 8.1-tonne take-off weight.

The AW149 offers a capacious cabin for such a compact helicopter, providing various cabin options from seating for 18 to palletised special equipment such as command and control packages. It has been designed with open systems architecture, and the ability to undertake a wide variety of roles. Outrigger pylons give it an impressive weapons capability.

Key elements of the design will fly later this year in a ‘hybrid’ aircraft based on an AW139 airframe. A full AW149 prototype is scheduled to fly next year, with development being completed by 2012. The programme might alter depending on the outcome of the Turkish decision.

Turkish competition AgustaWestland first showed the mock-up of the TUHP-149 in April at the IDEF exhibition in Ankara. Turkey is looking for an initial buy of 109 helicopters (69 for the military, 20 civilian firefighters and 20 for the police), but that could rise considerably as further requirements are raised.

The TUHP competition was launched in 2005, and an initial decision covering 54 helicopters was expected in late 2007. However, the competition was reopened for fresh evaluation between the Sikorsky T-70 version of the UH-60 Black Hawk and the TUHP-149. At the same time, the requirement was raised to 84, and later to the current 109 aircraft. A decision was then expected in late June this year, but has been delayed again pending further evaluation.

TUHP will involve massive participation by local industry (TAI, Aselsan, Roketsan, Havelsan and TEI). TAI is already building AW139 fuselages for AgustaWestland, and it is to build 51 T129 (AW129 Mangusta) attack helicopters for Turkey’s ATAK programme (with 41 options), while TEI is supplying the T129’s CTS800 engines.

Turkey represents the first major opportunity for the AW149, but the type has generated significant interest around the world