AgustaWestland debuts 7 Tonne AW139 with payload and range increase, reduced weight

ORLANDO, Fla., 3 March 2015. AgustaWestland unveiled at Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli-Expo 2015 in Orlando an optional kit for the company’s AW139 twin-engine helicopter.

The 7,000-kilogram (15,432-pound) increased gross weight kit increases the standard 6,400-kg (14,109-pound) maximum gross weight by 600 kg (1,323 pounds) and is 200 kg (440 pounds) more than the existing increased gross weight clearance of 6,800 kg (14,991 pounds).

“When combined with new baseline aircraft and kit improvements that are being introduced on new aircraft this year, which give a typical weight saving of 100 kg (220 lb) for an offshore configured aircraft, operators will be able to benefit from up to 700 kg (1,543 lb) of extra payload,” according to a company representative.

Existing AW139 operators can retrofit the 7 tonne increased gross weight kit to enhance their aircraft’s capabilities to provide an extra 600 kg (1,323 pounds) or 200 kg (440 pounds) of payload.

The 7 tonne AW139 allows it to compete with larger types, such as the EC175, on long-range missions with 12 or less passengers. In an offshore configuration, a 7 tonne AW139 incorporating the baseline aircraft and kit improvements has a radius of action of 230 nm (426 km) with eight passengers

The AW139 with the 7 tonne increased gross weight kit retains key operating and performance features, such as a temperature envelope at sea level of -40°C to +50°C, up to sea state 6 ditching capability, and Category A clear area at 7,000 kg (15,432 pounds) up to ISA+20 at sea level.

Deliveries of the AW139 with the baseline weight savings will begin this year from the final assembly lines in Italy and the USA.

The AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopter has achieved orders for nearly 900 aircraft in more than 70 countries from more than 220 customers; more than 730 aircraft are already in service.