The AgustaWestland AW609, formerly the Bell/Agusta BA609, is a twin-engined tiltrotor VTOL aircraft with a configuration similar to the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. It is capable of landing vertically like a helicopter while having a range and speed in excess of conventional rotorcraft. The unique characteristics of the AW609 TiltRotor combine the benefits of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft into one aircraft, a true capability Hybrid aircraft.
The AW609 TiltRotor features a composite airframe, advanced touch-screen cockpit and full fly-by-wire digital controls. These advanced technologies will provide new levels of performance, safety, reliability and affordability for operators. Taking off and landing vertically, flying above adverse weather conditions in a pressurised cabin at twice the speed and range typical of helicopters, the AW609 TiltRotor represents the next generation of aircraft transport for commercial, para-public and defence markets.
This multi-role aircraft can be configured for commercial applications such as Executive and Private Transport, Energy Services, Emergency Medical Services, Search and Rescue as well as Defense and National Security applications like Homeland Security, Naval, Utility, and Personnel Recovery (SAR). The AW609 is the ideal platform for counter-terrorism, quick reaction force insertion/extraction, hostage rescue, incident management and law enforcement. The ability to operate more than 300 nm from the coast adds border and maritime patrol, long-range surveillance, anti-piracy, protection of national waters and fisheries control to the wide range of security roles suited to the AW609 TiltRotor’s large mission capability portfolio.
