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• The contract will increase the Italian Customs and Border Protection Service’s AW139 fleet to eight units, with options for a further six helicopters;
• Aircraft to perform maritime surveillance and patrol, maritime and mountain reconnaissance, law enforcement and homeland security;
• Almost 240 customers from over 70 countries have ordered over 970 AW139 helicopters.
Leonardo-Finmeccanica announced today it has signed a contract to supply six additional AW139 intermediate twin helicopters to the Italian Customs and Border Protection Service (Guardia di Finanza), including integrated logistic support and training for pilots and technicians. The contract, valued at around €90 million, will increase the customer’s fleet of AW139s to eight units. Deliveries of the six new aircraft are expected to start in mid-2017 and to be completed in 2019. The AW139s will be used to perform a range of missions including maritime surveillance and patrol, maritime and mountain reconnaissance, law enforcement and homeland security. The order also includes options for six additional helicopters, allowing the operator to take a further step towards replacement of its ageing AB412 fleet. The AW139 has been selected by the customer following a European Tender launched in mid-2016. The type demonstrated the best solution to meet the Italian Customs and Border Protection Service’s stringent requirements.
The Italian Customs and Border Protection Service’s new AW139s will feature a wide range of mission equipment which will be managed by Leonardo Airborne and Space Systems’ ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) mission system. Sensors managed by ATOS will include the high-performance multi-mode/multi-mission surveillance radar Gabbiano by Leonardo Airborne and Space Systems and a high definition Forward Looking Infra-Red system with MTI (Moving Target Indicator) capability fully integrated with the mission console to provide a clear and easily understandable tactical picture to the crew. Communications equipment will include SRT-700 multi-band radios by Leonardo Airborne and Space Systems, marine band and satellite communication systems, M428 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder by Leonardo Airborne and Space Systems. Other mission and safety equipment that will be fitted includes a full Night Vision Goggle (NVG) cockpit and cabin, new generation searchlight, Optical Proximity LiDAR System (OPLS), external fast rope system, wire strike protection system, auxiliary fuel tank, emergency floatation system and external life rafts. The AW139 design incorporates a large spacious cabin for the crew, equipment and survivors accessed by two large sliding doors.
Note
Following the process of the reorganisation of the Leonardo-Finmeccanica Group’s companies, it should be noted that from January 1st 2016: the “Helicopters” division has absorbed the activities of AgustaWestland; the “Aircraft” division has absorbed part of the activities of Alenia Aermacchi; the “Aero-structures” division has absorbed part of the activities of Alenia Aermacchi; the “Airborne & Space Systems” division has absorbed part of the activities of Selex ES; the “Land & Naval Defence Electronics” division has absorbed part of the activities of Selex ES; the “Security & Information Systems” division has absorbed part of the activities of Selex ES; the “Defence Systems” division has absorbed the activities of OTO Melara and WASS.
About Leonardo-Finmeccanica
Leonardo-Finmeccanica (leonardocompany.com) is among the top ten global players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and Italy’s main industrial company. As a single entity from January 2016, organised into business divisions (Helicopters; Aircraft; Aero-structures; Airborne & Space Systems; Land & Naval Defence Electronics; Defence Systems; Security & Information Systems), Leonardo-Finmeccanica operates in the most competitive international markets by leveraging its areas of technology and product leadership. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), at 31 December 2015 Finmeccanica recorded consolidated revenues of 13 billion Euros and has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the UK and the U.S.
Note to editors on the AW139 helicopter
The AW139 has also been selected by and is in service with the Italian State Police, the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Air Force. The various Italian Government agencies operating the AW139 are able to benefit from shared logistics, training and support systems. This latest selection by the Italian Customs and Border Protection Service brings the total number of AW139s chosen by all of these Italian government operators to 45, covering a wide scope of public utility roles including law enforcement and homeland security, patrol, special operations, search and rescue, command and control, government/VVIP transport, disaster relief and training. Many law enforcement, maritime/border patrol and security agencies from countries around the world, including Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the UK, USA, Sweden, Spain, Estonia, The Netherlands, Brazil, China, Estonia, UAE, have selected or are already operating the AW139 to fulfil their requirements.
Almost 240 customers from over 70 countries have ordered over 970 AW139 helicopters making it the best-selling helicopter in its class. The AW139 can perform a wide range of roles including government missions, law enforcement, EMS, SAR, executive/private and government transport, utility and offshore transport.
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