The Italian air force has fielded its first of 10 AW139 search and rescue (SAR) helicopters, with the AgustaWestland type to be referred to as the HH-139A in national service.
Placed into use with the 15th Wing at Cervia air base on 8 March, the new type is a replacement for the air force's SAR-roled Agusta-Bell AB212 and Agusta/Sikorsky HH-3F helicopters.
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| © Troupe Azurra/Italian air force |
"The remaining HH-139As will be delivered to the air force by the end of this year," AgustaWestland says. Four will be stationed at Cervia, with Gioia del Colle and Trapani-Birgi air bases also to receive three each.
Initially planned as an interim solution pending the availability of AgustaWestland's developmental AW149, the HH-139A deal was converted in late 2010 to an outright purchase worth €220 million ($288 million). This also includes the provision of personnel training and a five-year package of logistics and support services based on a projected 300 flying hours to be logged by each helicopter per year.
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| © AgustaWestland |
AgustaWestland also has a separate contract to deliver several AW101s adapted to meet the Italian air force's combat SAR requirements.
Source: Flight International
