HeliVert, a Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland (a Finmeccanica company) joint venture, is pleased to announce the first AW139 helicopter assembled in Russia has successfully performed its maiden flight. On December 18, 2012, the first AW139 built in Russia, with the tail number 60001, was rolled out at the Helivert assembly plant to perform ground testing. On the following day, December 19, at 16:30 Moscow time the test programme continued with the helicopter’s first lift-off and controlled hover.
The new helicopter remained in the air for 37 minutes and completed the scheduled tests approved by Russia’s aviation authorities.The AW139’s first take off and hover was successful, and the helicopter is undergoing the flight test programme. The second aircraft (60002) to be assembled by HeliVert is expected to be in operation by February 2013.
HeliVert is located in Russian Helicopters’ National Helicopter Building Centre in Tomilino, Moscow region. The plant was constructed from scratch, and is now one of the most advanced facilities of the kind in Russia. According to the plans production of AW139 helicopters in Russia began in 2012. It is expected that up to 15-20 helicopters will be assembled annually. The number of personnel engaged in the production process could exceed 100 once maximum capacity is reached. The plant is intended to meet the growing demand for the AW139 in the Russian market for civil aircraft as well as the CIS market in general.
AgustaWestland and Russian Helicopters signed the preliminary agreement to launch the production of AW139 helicopters in Russia at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2008. This was followed by the signing of a joint venture agreement November 6, 2008, at a ceremony attended by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. A shareholder agreement was subsequently signed in June 2010 paving the way to start building the plant in Tomilino.
In the summer of 2011 the final agreements on CJSC HeliVert joint venture establishment were signed and early during 2012 specialists from HeliVert studied in Italy at AgustaWestland’s training centre. This medium multi-role helicopter is superior to all other twin-engine helicopters in its class in terms of speed, flight characteristics and passenger cabin size. Combining streamlined fuselage, latest avionic equipment, spacious cabin and low acoustic signature, AW139 sets new standard in the market.
The AW139 has maximum cruise speed of 306 km/h, maximum range in excess of 927 km, maximum flight time of five hours and outstanding performance. It is the only helicopter in its weight class that can be equipped with a Full Ice Protection System (FIPS), which makes it possible to fly into known icing conditions. The AW139 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines, equipped with full-authority digital engine controls (FADEC) and each rated at 1,679 SHP for take-off. The maximum take-off weight is 6400 kg with an option of 6800 kg. The helicopter is configured for one or two pilots and can carry up to 15 passengers or 6-8 passengers in VIP/corporate transport configuration.
AW139 maiden flight video available here: http://youtu.be/HeU2sqhkuUE
About Russian Helicopters
Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of the Rostec State Corporation. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world.
Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2011 its IFRS revenues increased 27.8% to RUB 103.9 billion. Deliveries reached 262 helicopters.
UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. It is a part of the Rostec State Corporation. Its main tasks include: helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters, JSC) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).
The Rostec State Corporation was established in 2007 to support Russian industry in developing, producing and exporting high-tech industrial products for civil and military use. The Corporation includes 663 companies, currently organised into 12 defence holdings and five holdings for civil industries. The Corporation has a presence in 60 of Russia’s regions, and exports its products to 70 countries. Russian Technologies State Corporation is headed by Sergei Chemezov. In 2011 the Corporation had net income of RUB 1.55 billion, and paid RUB 100 billion into budgets of all levels.
Embraer S.A. and AgustaWestland have announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding aiming at establishing a joint-venture which could lead to the production of AgustaWestland helicopters in Brazil to be marketed for both commercial and military use in Brazil and Latin America.
“This is an important step for Embraer as we continue expanding our business”, said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO. “We are certain that the combined skills and competences of Embraer and AgustaWestland will create great value for customers in the region.” Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland said “We are pleased to have signed this MoU with Embraer and look forward to working with them to establish a joint-venture company in Brazil to manufacture and market helicopters. Brazil is an important market for AgustaWestland and we believe having an industrial presence in this country will help us to further grow our business in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.”
Preliminary studies by Embraer and AgustaWestland show strong market potential for twin engine, medium lift helicopters, especially to meet the requirements of the offshore oil and gas market. Other key market sectors, such as executive transport and military, show promising potential as well. The partners aim at establishing the joint-venture within a few months once a final agreement has been reached and the relevant approvals have been obtained.
About Embraer SA
Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3) is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 120 seats, and one of Brazil’s leading exporters. Embraer’s headquarters are located in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and it has offices, industrial operations and customer service facilities in Brazil, China, France, Portugal, Singapore, and the U.S. Founded in 1969, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft and systems for the commercial aviation, executive aviation, and defense and security segments. It also provides after sales support and services to customers worldwide.
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the fourth prototype of the new generation 4.5 tonne class light intermediate AW169 helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy. During its flight, the aircraft performed as expected with an assessment of the helicopter’s general handling and basic systems being made.
The event is a major milestone for the AW169 programme as the last of four prototypes now enter the flight test programme. The AW169 programme is on schedule to achieve civil certification in 2014. The first three AW169 prototypes, which performed their maiden flights in May 2012, July 2012 and November 2012, have completed more than 150 flight hours to date. The fourth prototype, built in just 71 days, is fully representative of the production configuration.
The AW169 is part of AgustaWestland’s family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW139 and AW189 models. These helicopters all possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features whilst sharing the same common cockpit concept and design philosophy. This approach will deliver real cost savings in areas such as training, maintenance and support for operators having two or three of the models in their fleets. Launched in July 2010, the AW169 has rapidly found market success, logging orders for more than 70 units so far from customers in North & South America, Asia, Middle East, Europe and Australasia for a wide range of missions including air ambulance, law enforcement, corporate transport, utility and offshore transport.
A versatile, new generation twin engine helicopter, the AW169 has been designed in response to the growing market demand for an aircraft that delivers high performance, meets all the latest safety standards and has multi-role capabilities. It is the first all new helicopter design in its class in decades and the only one that will meet all the latest safety requirements. The AW169 incorporates several new technology features to provide the highest levels of safety and operational benefits for its customers.
New generation technologies are incorporated in the rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems. Latest technologies include an APU mode capability and touch screen cockpit devices. The AW169 is set to be the most advanced and cost effective helicopter in its class for EMS, SAR, law enforcement, passenger and offshore transport and utility missions.