Will Be Used In Search-And-Rescue Roles

AgustaWestland announced this week that Sasemar, the Spanish Marine Safety Agency, has placed an order for three more AW139 medium twin turbine engine helicopters. These aircraft will be used for a range of roles including SAR and water pollution detection.

This latest purchase increases the number of AW139 helicopters ordered by Sasemar to eight having previously ordered three in 2006 and two in 2007. Three AW139 helicopters have already been delivered and are operating from bases in Reus, Gijón and Tenerife.

The aircraft will be equipped with a dual rescue hoist, Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera, search/weather radar, emergency flotation system and a four-axis autopilot complete with SAR modes.

"This new order confirms that Sasemar, like many other operators around the world, recognize the AW139 as the best search and rescue helicopter in its class," said Graham Cole, Managing Director - Business, AgustaWestland. "We are proud to see the AW139s already delivered enhancing the operational capabilities of Sasemar, which provides a vital service to the Spanish nation."

The AW139 has been ordered or is now in service with a number of leading rescue organizations including the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Japan Coast Guard, Korean Coast Guard, Italian Coast Guard, Norwegian Ministry of Justice, Estonian Border Guard, UAE Air Force as well as operators in Africa and the Middle and Far East.

Orders for almost 340 AW319s have been placed by nearly 100 commercial and government customers in almost 40 countries to carry out a number of roles including search and rescue, emergency medical services, offshore transport, VIP/corporate transport, law enforcement, homeland security and military utility transport.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com