AgustaWestland and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are pleased to announce the delivery of three AW139 medium twin turbine engine helicopters to the Japan Coast Guard.
The AW139s will be deployed at Japan Coast Guard bases throughout Japan and used to perform maritime search and rescue and patrol missions. These helicopters were ordered in late 2006 as the initial phase of a replacement programme for up to 24 helicopters. The AW139s are equipped for all-weather, day/night and ship-based operations, with a comprehensive mission equipment package that includes a rescue hoist, high definition FLIR, communications and navigation equipment package. Giacomo Saponaro, Senior Vice President International Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “The Japan Coast Guard is acknowledged as one of the leading maritime search and rescue and patrol organisation in the world and the selection and introduction into service of the AW139 by them is a great honour for AgustaWestland. The AW139 has steadily become the Helicopter of choice for maritime search and rescue operations around the world and we know the AW139 will serve the Japan Coast Guard and the people of Japan successfully for many years.” The selection of the AW139 by the Japan Coast Guard highlights the increasing success of AgustaWestland in the Japanese Helicopter market and builds upon the successful entry into service of the JMSDF MCH101 Airborne Mine Counter Measures helicopters and the CH101 Antarctic Observation Helicopter as well as sales of the AW109 Power and AW139 helicopters to the Japan National Police Agency and the AW101 to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. More than 80 AgustaWestland helicopters have been sold in Japan for various roles and over 50 aircraft have already been delivered. The AW139 is a new generation Helicopter setting new standards of safety, comfort and performance in the medium twin engine Helicopter market. Designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation, the AW139 is capable of carrying up to 15 passengers at high speed, in the most spacious cabin and with the best power reserve of any Helicopter in its class. The internal dimensions of the AW139’s roomy unobstructed cabin make it an ideal choice for SAR applications. The flat floor, large cabin doors and unobstructed cabin provide easy and quick access for stretchers and survivors. With a maximum endurance of over 5 hours and a range in excess of 1000 km, the AW139 can perform long range SAR missions. The new technology Honeywell Primus Epic® fully integrated Avionics package, a 4-axis digital AFCS and large flat panel colour displays in the cockpit, reduce pilot workload and allow the crew to concentrate on performing the patrol and rescue tasks. |
