Agusta A109
Encyclopedia
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
built by the Anglo-Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is an Anglo-Italian helicopter design and manufacturing company. It was formed in July 2000 when Finmeccanica S.p.A. and GKN plc agreed to merge their respective helicopter subsidiaries to form AgustaWestland with Finmeccanica and GKN each holding a 50% share.AgustaWestland is now a...
. First flown as the Agusta
Agusta
Agusta is an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It is based in Samarate, Northern Italy. It is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica. The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first airplane in 1907...
A109 in 1971, the craft has proven itself in light transport, medevac
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
, search-and-rescue, and military roles.
The AgustaWestland AW119 Koala is a more economical single-engine variant.
Design and development
In the late 1960s AgustaAgusta
Agusta is an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It is based in Samarate, Northern Italy. It is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica. The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first airplane in 1907...
designed the A109 as a single-engined commercial helicopter. It was soon realised that a twin-engined design was needed and it was re-designed in 1969 with two Allison 250-C14 turboshaft engines. A projected military version (the A109B) was not developed and the company concentrated on the eight-seat version the A109C. The first of three prototypes made its maiden flight on 4 August 1971. A protracted development then followed and the first production aircraft was not completed until April 1975. Delivery of production machines started in early 1976. The aircraft soon became a success and was soon used for roles other than as a light transport including as an air ambulance
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
and search-and-rescue. In 1975 Agusta returned again to the possibility of a military version and trials were carried out between 1976 and 1977 with five A109As fitted with Hughes Aircraft
Hughes Aircraft
Hughes Aircraft Company was a major American aerospace and defense contractor founded in 1932 by Howard Hughes in Culver City, California as a division of Hughes Tool Company...
TOW missiles. Two military versions were then developed, one for light attack or close support and another for naval operations.
Fuselages of A109 are made by PZL-Świdnik
PZL-Swidnik
PZL Świdnik S.A is the biggest helicopter manufacturer in Poland. Its main products are PZL W-3 Sokół and PZL SW-4 Puszczyk helicopters...
. In June 2006 the 500th fuselage was delivered by this manufacturer, marking 10 years of co-operation between the two companies.
The sale of the Agusta A109 to the Belgian armed forces in 1988 gave rise to a bribery scandal
Agusta scandal
The Agusta scandal or the Case Agusta-Dassault was a Belgian corruption scandal. It resulted from the purchase of military helicopter of the Agusta A109 Agusta-type by the Belgian Army in 1988, where Agusta and Dassault bribed various office holders...
when it was alleged the company had given the Belgian Socialists over 50 million Belgian francs to get the sale. This scandal led to the resignation and conviction of NATO Secretary General Willy Claes
Willy Claes
Willem Werner Hubert "Willy" Claes was the eighth Secretary General of NATO and a Belgian politician. He was a member of the Flemish Socialist Party....
.
The Agusta A109 became renamed the AW109 following the July 2000 merger of Finmeccanica S.p.A. and GKN plc's respective helicopter subsidiaries Agusta
Agusta
Agusta is an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It is based in Samarate, Northern Italy. It is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica. The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first airplane in 1907...
and Westland Helicopters
Westland Helicopters
Westland Helicopters was a British aerospace company. Originally Westland Aircraft, the company focused on helicopters after the Second World War. It merged with several other British firms in 1961...
to form AgustaWestland.
In August 2008, Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik broke the round-the-world speed record using a factory-standard AgustaWestland Grand, with a time of 11 days, 7 hours and 2 minutes. The A109S Grand is also the fastest helicopter from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Variants
- A109A: The first production model, powered by two Allison Model 250-C20 turboshaft engines. It made its first flight on 4 August 1971. Initially, the A109 was marketed under the name of "Hirundo" (Latin for the swallowSwallowThe swallows and martins are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae which are characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding...
), but this was dropped within a few years.- A109A EOA: Military version for the Italian ArmyItalian ArmyThe Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Armed Forces. It is all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 108,355 in 2010. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank, and among its aircraft...
. - A109A Mk II: Upgraded civilian version of the A109A.
- A109A Mk.II MAX: Aeromedical evacuation version based on A109A Mk.II with extra wide cabin and access doors hinged top and bottom, rather than to one side
- A109A EOA: Military version for the Italian Army
- A109B: Unbuilt military version.
- A109C: Eight-seat civil version, powered by two Allison Model 250-C20R-1 turboshaft engines.
- A109C MAX: Aeromedical evacuation version based on A109C with extra-wide cabin and access doors hinged top and bottom, rather than to one side
- A109D: One prototype only
- A109E Power: Upgraded civilian version, initially powered by two TurbomecaTurbomecaTurbomeca is a French manufacturer of low- and medium-power gas turbine turboshaft engines for helicopters. The company also produces gas turbine engines for aircraft and missiles, as well as turbines for land, industrial and marine applications...
ArriusTurbomeca Arrius-External links:*...
2K1 engines. Later the manufacturer introduced an option for two Pratt & WhitneyPratt & WhitneyPratt & Whitney is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation . Pratt & Whitney's aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA...
PW206C engines to be used – both versions remain known as the A109E Power- A109E Power Elite: stretched cabin version of A109E Power. This variant, which is operated by the RAF, has a glass cockpit with two complete sets of pilot instruments and navigation systems, including a three-axis autopilot, an auto-coupled Instrument Landing System and a satellite-based Global Positioning System. There is also a Moving Map Display, weather radar and a Traffic Alerting System.
- A109LUH: Military LUH "Light Utility Helicopter" variant based on the A109E Power. Operators include South African Air ForceSouth African Air ForceThe South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
as well as Sweden, New Zealand and Malaysia - MH-68A Stingray: Eight A109E Powers were used by the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Helicopter Interdiction Tactical SquadronHelicopter Interdiction Tactical SquadronThe Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron is an armed U.S. Coast Guard helicopter squadron specializing in Airborne Use of Force and drug-interdiction missions. It is based at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida....
Jacksonville (HITRON Jacksonville) as short range armed interdiction helicopters from 2000 until 2008 when they were replaced with MH-65C Dolphins.
- A109K: Military version.
- A109K2: High-altitude and high-temperature operations with fixed wheels rather than the retractable wheels of most A109 variants. Typically used by police, search and rescue, and air ambulance operators
- A109M: Military version.
- A109KM: Military version for high altitude and high temperature operations.
- A109KN: Naval version.
- A109CM: Standard military version.
- A109GdiF: Version for Guardia di FinanzaGuardia di FinanzaThe Guardia di Finanza is a Italian law enforcement agency under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. Like the Carabinieri, it is part of the Italian Armed Forces. The Guard is essentially responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling; it has also evolved into Italy's...
, the Italian Finance Guard - A109BA : Version created for the Belgian ArmyBelgian ArmyThe Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
.
- AW109S Grand: Lengthened cabin-upgraded civilian version with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207Pratt & Whitney Canada PW200-External links:* *...
engines and lengthened main rotor blades with different tip design to the Power version. - CA109: Chinese version of A109, manufactured by Changhe Aircraft Industries CorporationChanghe Aircraft Industries CorporationChanghe Aircraft Industries Corporation is a Chinese helicopter manufacturer and supplier to the People's Liberation Army of China. The company is based in the city of Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province. Changhe employs 4300 employees in two production facilities with 1.29 million sq. metres and 0.22...
under license. - AW109 Grand New (or AW109 SP) : single IFR, TAWS and EVS, especially for EMSEmergency medical servicesEmergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
Civilian and government operators
The AW109 has been popular with many air charter companies and other small operators. Major fleet operators have included:- CareFlight International Air AmbulanceCareFlight International Air AmbulanceCareFlight International Air Ambulance is an Australian registered charity that operates air ambulances and specialist medical teams to patients anywhere in the world. The organisation was incorporated in 1986 when its first helicopter, a Squirrel AS350B was commissioned...
- FlyMexFlyMex-Fleet:The FlyMex fleet includes the following aircraft :Fairchild Dornier 328JET Learjet 60 Learjet 45 Agusta A109 Cessna Caravan 208M7-420 Amphibian Embraer ERJ-135-External links:**EMB-135LR*...
- Airgurus Ltd. Co. Aviation Services
- North Memorial Medical CenterNorth Memorial Medical CenterNorth Memorial Medical Center, sometimes referred to as North Memorial, is a hospital located in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. It is one of four level one trauma facilities in the Minnesota. North Memorial Medical Center also owns and operates ground based ambulances and emergency medical helicopters...
(Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN) has a fleet of A109s - Intermountain HealthcareIntermountain HealthcareIntermountain Health Care, Inc., DBA as Intermountain Healthcare, and formerly known as Intermountain Health Care , is a non-profit healthcare system and is the largest healthcare provider in the Intermountain West. Intermountain Healthcare provides hospital and other medical services in Utah and...
Life Flight has three. Two A109K2s, and one AW109 Grand SP - New Mexico State PoliceNew Mexico State PoliceThe New Mexico State Police is the state police agency for New Mexico, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state. It was created to protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of people in New Mexico...
operates one A109
Military operators
- Gendarmerie Nationale (Algeria)Gendarmerie Nationale (Algeria)The Gendarmerie Nationale , is the national rural police force of Algeria. As part of the Algerian Armed Forces is commanded by a Major General who reports directly to the Minister of National Defense. In 2007 the gendarmerie consists of 60,000...
(15 sur commande) - General Directorate of National Security (10 sur commande)
- Albanian Air ForceAlbanian Air ForceThe Albanian Air Force is the national Air Force of the Albanian military. Currently it operates under the Albanian Joint Forces Command and it is regrouped in the Albanian Air Brigade...
– Used for VIP transport.
- Argentine ArmyArgentine ArmyThe Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
http://www.avejer.ejercito.mil.ar/GalFot/A109vol.jpg
- Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
- 723 Squadron RAN723 Squadron RAN723 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron.-History:723 Squadron was first commissioned into the RAN on 7 April 1952 and was equipped with one Dakota, one Wirraway, one Sea Otter and two Sea Fury aircraft...
- 723 Squadron RAN
- Bangladesh NavyBangladesh NavyThe Bangladesh Navy is the naval arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. At present the navy is mostly limited to coastal patrolling, however it is implementing an ambitious procurement and expansion program to ensure the security of Bangladesh's maritime boundary...
- Belgian Air Component
- Belgian ArmyBelgian ArmyThe Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
– Former operator.
- Carabineros de ChileCarabineros de Chilethumb|250px|Carabineros de Chile, patrolling a street in [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]]The Carabiniers of Chile, are the uniformed Chilean national police force and gendarmerie, created on April 27, 1927. Their mission is to maintain order and create public respect for the laws of the country...
- Hellenic Air ForceHellenic Air ForceThe Hellenic Air Force, abbreviated to HAF is the air force of Greece. The mission of the Hellenic Air Force is to guard and protect Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid in Greece and around the...
- Royal New Zealand Air ForceRoyal New Zealand Air ForceThe Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
Five aircraft will be delivered from October 2010 to replace Bell 47Bell 47The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...
Sioux. The proposed service name for these aircraft is "MakoShortfin mako sharkThe shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus , is a large mackerel shark. Along with the closely related longfin mako it is commonly referred to as a "mako shark".-Etymology:...
". In 2010 the NZ government signaled the future purchase of three additional aircraft, which would bring the total to eight. Defence White Paper 2010 – Chapter 5: The NZDF’s Military Capabilities
- Malaysian ArmyMalaysian ArmyThe Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy...
- Malaysian Maritime Enforcement AgencyMalaysian Maritime Enforcement AgencyThe Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency , the Malaysian Coast Guard version, is the principal government agency tasked with maintaining law and order and coordinating search and rescue operations in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and on the high seas. It is in effect the Coast Guard of Malaysia...
- Malaysian Fire and Rescue DepartmentMalaysian Fire and Rescue DepartmentThe Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department , popularly known as Bomba, is the fire and rescue services agency in Malaysia. The Malay term 'Bomba' is borrowed from the Portuguese word bombeiros which carries the same meaning.- History :...
- Nigerian NavyNigerian NavyThe Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Nigerian Navy is among the largest Navies on the African continent, consisting of about 15,000 personnel, including those of the Coast Guard.-Brief History:...
Three originally bought; one lost in 2007; two more commissioned in 2009.
- Paraguayan Air ForceMilitary of ParaguayThe armed forces of Paraguay consist of the Paraguayan army, navy and air force.The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief....
- Grupo Aéreo de Helicópteros/GAH – 1 A.109 for Presidential transport (1993–1998)
- Slovenian Air ForceSlovenian Air Force and Air DefenceSlovenian Air Force and Air Defence is a part of the Slovenian Armed Forces. It is an integral part of the command structure, not an independent branch.-Duties:...
- Army Air Corps – out of service 2007
- Empire Test Pilots' SchoolEmpire Test Pilots' SchoolThe Empire Test Pilots' School is a British training school for test pilots and flight test engineers of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, England. It was established in 1943, the first of its type...
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- No. 32 Squadron RAF
- United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
(Replaced by the MH-65C)
Agusta A109 Power
