UNIT IV. ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT
Augusta Westland A109 Power Light Multi-Role Helicopter, Italy
The A109 Power light multi-role helicopter has been developed by Augusta Westland in Italy. The A109 is built in civil and military versions. The civil family of A109 helicopters includes the A109K2 civil rescue helicopter used by the Swiss rescue service, the A109K2 police helicopter and the A109 Power civil multi-role helicopter.
«The A109 Power light multi-role helicopter has been developed for both civil and military applications».
The A109 was originally developed as an ambulance and rescue helicopter to operate in the mountainous regions of Switzerland.
The helicopter can fly from critically situated landing spots in adverse climates and from roof helipads in densely populated areas.
The A109 Power first flew in 1995 and entered service in 1997. Over 300 have been ordered for police, EMS (Emergency Medical Services), VIP / corporate and military applications.
Recent orders include three for the 32 (Royal Squadron) of the UK Royal Air Force, ordered in May 2005. The helicopters entered service with the RAF in March 2006 and are for use in the VIP transport and communications role. The Japanese National Police Agency placed an order for three additional A109 Powers in June 2005 and four more in June 2006, bringing the total to 11.
10 helicopters were ordered by the Libyan government in January 2006 for border patrol. Augusta Westland, Finmeccanica and the Libyan Company for Aviation Industry have set up a joint venture, LIATEC to be based in Tripoli, for local assembly. In June 2006, two A109 helicopters were ordered by the Latvian Border Guard and three for the Beijing Public Security Bureau for use during the 2008 Olympic Games. In October 2006, the Chilean Carabineros ordered four helicopters.
An armed version, the MH-68A Stingray, is in service with the US Coastguard’s Helicopter Tactical Squadron (HITRON) for drug interdiction. Utility versions are in service with the South African Air Force, the Swedish Army and the Malaysian Army.
The A109E Power helicopter can be configured as a passenger helicopter for four or six passengers. The cabin can be quickly converted for an emergency medical evacuation role. It can be fitted with four seats for medical attendants and a litter for a single stretcher patient. A second litter can be stowed in the baggage compartment to the rear of the main cabin.
The helicopters have high engine power, FADEC management, composite rotor head and blades, advanced avionics and cockpit integration providing high performance in terms of speed, range and mission effectiveness.
«An armed version, the MH-68A Stingray, is in service with the US Coastguard’s Helicopter Tactical Squadron».
The latest variant is the A109S Grand, a stretched version, which has a maximum take-off weight of 3,175kg and cabin length of 2.3m. First deliveries of the A109S Grand were in June 2005.
Police helicopter
The police helicopter is operational with police forces including those in the UK, Dubai, Italy, Japan and China. The cockpit can be equipped with a global positioning navigation system, weather radar and the customer’s choice of frequency modulated secure communications.
The optional equipment includes a forward looking infra-red and a low light level television camera for surveillance, observation and search, a Spectrolab SX-16 searchlight, a retractable MA3 lighting kit and loudspeakers.
The police helicopter can also be fitted with various lifting systems, e. g. a 907 kg cargo hook, a variable speed rescue hoist fitted with a 50 m cable and capable of lifting 204 kg. Safety systems include a rappelling kit[54], wire strike[55] protection and emergency floats[56].