First Two Helos Delivered Earlier This Month

The Korean Government has signed a contract for one more AW139 medium-twin helicopter in Maritime Patrol configuration for the Korea Coast Guard, AgustaWestland announced Tuesday. The order represents the third helicopter to be sold to the Korea Coast Guard and the sixth AW139 helicopter to be sold to the Republic of Korea. Earlier in the year the first AW139 was delivered to the Gangwon Fire Fighting Department and recently Samsung Corporation took delivery of its first of two AW139 corporate helicopters.

On the 10th December 2009 the first two Korea Coast Guard AW139 Maritime Patrol Helicopters were handed over to the Coast Guard during a ceremony held at Gimpo Airport in Seoul. Speaking after the ceremony Andrew Symonds, Vice President NE Asia, AgustaWestland, said "The delivery of the first two AW139 helicopters represents a significant stepping stone in developing the market in Korea and we are proud to be ale to achieve this by working closely with such a professional organization as the Korea Coast Guard. The contract for a third AW139 helicopter order not only demonstrates the expansion of the AW139 into the demanding and rigorous role of offshore search and rescue but indicates how the AW139 is highly considered by organizations such as the Korea Coast Guard."

The Korea Coast Guard AW139 will be used for Maritime Patrol, SAR and EMS missions and will be equipped with Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), search/weather radar, rescue hoist, emergency flotation system and a four-axis autopilot with SAR modes.

The AW139 is capable of carrying up to 15 passengers or six litters with four medical attendants. The Pratt & Whitney engines with FADEC together with a 5-blade main rotor provides excellent maximum cruise speed in demanding hot and high conditions at all weights, with outstanding power to weight ratio. Its range and endurance allows extended search patrols and the AW139's excellent one engine inoperative capability ensures the aircraft can safely complete its required missions. Honeywell Primus Epic fully integrated avionics, a 4-axis digital AFCS and large flat panel color displays in the cockpit reduce pilot workload and allow the crew to concentrate on the patrol and rescue missions.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com