AgustaWestland North America has delivered two AW139 helicopters to the Egyptian air Force under a US Foreign Military Sales contract. The aircraft are being configured as search and rescue machines.

The company received a $37.6 million order in April 2011 to build the two helicopters via the US Army's Aviation and Missile Command.

AgustaWestland says it will continue to support the US Army by training aircrews and supplying spare parts.

AW139 Egyptian air force - AgustaWestland 

© AgustaWestland

The helicopter was originally designed under a partnership between Bell Helicopter and what was then Agusta. The first 54 examples were built in Italy under the AB139 designation before production started in the USA. The type was redesignated as the AW139 when Bell dropped out of the project.

The aircraft has a five-bladed fully articulated main rotor with composite blades and a titanium hub, and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C turboshaft engines, each producing about 1,140kW (1,530 shp). It can cruise at around 165kt (305km/h).

Source: Flight International