The Leonardo AW149 is a medium-lift military helicopter developed by AgustaWestland, now Leonardo. Derived from the AW139, the AW149 has a larger fuselage and more powerful engines, resulting in a greater cargo volume and payload carrying ability. The AW149 is the brand new medium category helicopter, designed to provide versatile battlefield support, with excellent performance characteristics and competitive economics, certified to the latest CS29 standards. The aircraft provides excellent payload and range capabilities and features a large, unobstructed cabin for rapid reconfiguration to meet mission demands. Thailand has ordered 5 AW149 helicopters, and is the first export customer.
NVG-compatible integrated glass cockpit with 4 axis AFCS, dual Flight Management System (FMS), advanced avionics and systems minimise pilot workload and provide excellent situational awareness, maximising mission effectiveness and safety. Latest-generation, modular open systems architecture enables integration of wide range of mission equipment, including: radar, Electro-Optic / Infra-Red (EO/IR) device, mission console, searchlight, loudspeakers, rescue hoist and cargo hook. Accommodation for at least 2 stretchers (longitudinally and transversally) 8 personnel, mission console and SAR equipment with easy access to the entire patients body from both sides
Military certification for the AW149 was announced by Finmeccanica at the 2014 Farnborough airshow. Largest cabin in its class (11.2 m3 / 395.5 ft3), featuring large flat floor space with accommodation for seats, stretchers, mission console and weapon mounts; wide doors provide exceptional accessibility and rappelling / fast roping capability The landing gear can sustain a touchdown with a sink speed of 9.5 m/s, compared with the 2 m/s for a civilian helicopter.Two powerful GE CT7-2E1 engines, combined with the advanced rotor system provide superior performance and handling for battlefield operations in confined areas. The AW149 is being marketed as an alternative to the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk family.
Armament
- Rocket launcher 7/12/19 tubes 70/81 mm
- Window mounted machine gun 7.62 mm
- Machine gun-pod 12.7/20 mm
- Machine gun-pod 12.7 mm with 3 tubes 70 mm rockets
- Provision for air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles
- Self sealing fuel tanks
- Ballistic protection
- Door mounted machine gun 12.7mm
