Leonardo Delivers First of 24 AW169 Aircraft to 'Italian IRS' | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.05.25

Airborne-NextGen-05.06.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.07.25

Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.02.25

Sun, Jan 29, 2023

Leonardo Delivers First of 24 AW169 Aircraft to 'Italian IRS'

Guardia di Finanza Adds to Multi-Mission Helo Fleet with All-Around Performer

Leonardo tendered the Guardia di Finanza with the force's first twin-engine AW169M helicopter, providing the financial enforcement arm with a heretofore unseen level of rotary wing performance.

The handover took place at Leonardo's Vergiate assembly line, with company reps and Guardia staff on hand to commemorate the occasion. The helicopter is just the first of 24 in all, broken down into 6 fixed-gear and 18 skid-equipped AW169M light-intermediate twin engine helicopters overall. The skid option is a relatively new addition to the company's portfolio, going from a rumor in 2020 to a customer favorite today. The AW169Ms will be put into use with the financial Guardia as maritime patrol, homeland customs security, law enforcement, and rescue aircraft.

The Guardia di Finanza first received its initial military-certified AW169M in late 2019, kicking off its fleet modernization plans. The aircraft delivered to the Guardia feature dedicated combination of equipment exclusive to their order, where each AW169M includes a rescue hoist, an emergency floatation system, life rafts, wire cutters, TCAS II (Traffic Collision Avoidance System), a NVG-compatible cockpit, a Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System, an advanced communication system, advanced Health Usage Monitoring System for medevac use, a searchlight, an ice detector, SATCOM, mobile phone detector and hyperspectral detection and reconnaissance system. The helicopters are also fitted with a range of Leonardo systems such as a RW ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) system with an advanced operator console, Gabbiano radar, LEOSS (Long Range Electro-Optical Surveillance System), M428 IFF transponder, OPLS (Obstacle Proximity Lidar System), V/UHF radio systems cockpit panels and lighting.

Overall, the system provides a multi-mission, all-weather, IFR-ready aircraft. Leonardo's dedicated SAR modes allow the pilots to designate a search pattern in the FMS and greatly decrease their workload when flying longer, repetitive missions.

FMI: www.leonardo.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.06.25)

Aero Linx: International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA) We aim to be the most internationally respected independent authority on the subject of Airworthiness. IFA uniquely combi>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.06.25): Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF)

Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) The frequency band between 300 and 3,000 MHz. The bank of radio frequencies used for military air/ground voice communications. In some instances this may >[...]

ANN FAQ: Q&A 101

A Few Questions AND Answers To Help You Get MORE Out of ANN! 1) I forgot my password. How do I find it? 1) Easy... click here and give us your e-mail address--we'll send it to you >[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Virtual Reality Painting--PPG Leverages Technology for Training

From 2019 (YouTube Edition): Learning To Paint Without Getting Any On Your Hands PPG's Aerospace Coatings Academy is a tool designed to teach everything one needs to know about all>[...]

Airborne 05.02.25: Joby Crewed Milestone, Diamond Club, Canadian Pilot Insurance

Also: Sustainable Aircraft Test Put Aside, More Falcon 9 Ops, Wyoming ANG Rescue, Oreo Cookie Into Orbit Joby Aviation has reason to celebrate, recently completing its first full t>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC