By Murdo Morrison in Yeovil
AgustaWestland's operation in Yeovil is to take the lead role in the development of the new AW149 7.5t multirole helicopter, as part of a relocation of the Italian helicopter manufacturer's military division to the UK.
The move was announced today by AgustaWestland chief executive Guiseppi Orsi at a ceremony in Yeovil to mark the signing of a strategic partnering arrangement between the manufacturer and the UK Ministry of Defence, and a contract for the development and manufacture of 70 Future Lynx helicopters for the army and Royal Navy.
Orsi said the Finmeccanica subsidiary was in “preliminary discussions” with the UK's Department of Trade and Industry to secure funding to develop new technology for the AW149.
He said more details on the AW149 would be announced at next month's Farnborough air show. However, flightglobal.com has sourced the original specifications for the aircraft (detailed below) from the company's website.
AgustaWestland's managing director of military programmes Alan Johnston said the AW149 announcement “illustrated that we are finally one integrated company”. Eighteen months ago, GKN sold its 50% share in AgustaWestland to its joint venture partner Finmeccanica.
AGUSTAWESTLAND AW149
|
| Weights |
|
| Max take-off |
7,000kg |
15,432lb |
| Cargo hook capacity |
2,720kg |
6,000lb |
| Engine rating ( 2 x 1,600 shp class) |
|
| Take off (AEO) |
1,252kW |
1,679shp |
|
|
| Pilots |
1-2
|
| Passengers |
16
|
|
|
| Length (rotors turning) |
16.9m |
55ft 6in
|
| Overall height |
5m |
16ft 6in |
| Main rotor diameter |
14m |
45ft 11in |
| Performance (At MTOW - ISA) |
|
| Maximum cruise speed |
295km/h |
165kt |
| Hovering IGE |
2,450m |
8,000ft |
| Maximum range |
740km |
400nm |
| Maximum endurance |
>3,5 h |
Source: AgustaWestland
|
Source: Flight International
