AgustaWestland says it is moving forward with the development of
the AW609 tiltrotor program following the completion of its
acquisition in November 2011. The company will continue the
certification process with the FAA targeting AW609 certification in
the first half of 2016 and deliveries following immediately
afterwards.
To do so AgustaWestland has established two main locations
dedicated to the AW609 program development; Cascina Costa di
Samarate (Italy) and Arlington, TX. A single Integrated Development
Team is now based in Cascina Costa, headquarters to around 250
people providing engineering and flight test support, prototype
assembly and program management. The plant features a dedicated
hangar, a development simulator and a vehicle management system
integration laboratory capable of testing the flight control system
software and hardware. The second prototype carries on test
activities in Cascina Costa where the third is being assembled and
the forth will follow. The new AgustaWestland Tilt Rotor Company
(AWTRC) subsidiary has now been established at the new site in
Arlington to continue FAA certification and flight testing of the
first prototype. The dedicated facility includes a hangar and
office accommodation for up to 150 people.
The first two prototypes have achieved more than 650 flight
hours so far and have validated the AW609’s unique flight
envelope including the ability to fly at altitudes of up to 25,000
feet and cruise at speeds up to 275 knots, all at the
aircraft’s maximum weight. The test program continues to
check all the points of the flight envelope, 85% of which has been
completed, as required by both the FAA and EASA.
The tiltrotor concept is the answer to the growing need for an
aircraft matching the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of
the helicopter with the speed, range and altitude capabilities of a
fixed wing aircraft. AgustaWestland is investing in the next
generation of rotorcraft technologies and the AW609 and future
tiltrotor concepts are part of the company’s innovation
commitment. Preliminary orders for approximately 70 AW609s have
been placed by around 40 customers in almost 20 countries to
perform a range of commercial and government roles.
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