Paul Derby
Italian manufacturer Agusta took the wraps off its new medium-twin helicopter yesterday and at the same time announced a major international partnership with Bell Helicopter Textron.
Bell and Agusta are to team up to manufacture and market not just the new AB139, but also the 609 civil tiltrotor. That aircraft will be rebranded as the BA609.
The joint venture has obvious industry implications. Discussions between Agusta and GKN Westland on a proposed merger are at an advanced stage, but Agusta rejects speculation that the deal is in jeopardy, saying it hopes to complete the merger by "the end of the year or early 1999."
And although the Bell-Agusta agreement is limited to two types of aircraft at this stage, both companies are leaving the door open for stronger US-European ties in the future.
The AB139 will be launched as a 12-15 seat aircraft, chasing a slice of the market for passenger transport, med-evac and search and rescue missions.
It will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6-67C turboshafts, the same engines as the BA609, offering operators commonality benefits.
CERTIFICATION
Agusta says the aircraft will cruise at 160kt (296km/h) with a maximum range of 1,200km. Certification and first delivery are planned for 2002.
The AB139 will carry some features from the A129 Mangusta and the design includes a five-blade rotor system and a new fuselage.
Announcing the tie-up, Bell chairman and chief executive officer Terry Stinson reveals the companies had been in talks since January: "We're both very excited about this partnership. Our relationship with Agusta goes back almost 50 years and I'm sure it will be even stronger in 50 years' time.
"We now have the chance to offer the 609 to the European market for the first time and we're very happy to be involved in the development of the 139."
Details about the stakes each company will possess in the two programmes are still to be finalised, but Bell will remain the senior partner on the 609, with Agusta taking the lead on the 139.
Final assembly and the manufacture of some components for the 609 will be carried out by Agusta in Italy, with Bell performing a similar function task for the 139 in the USA.
Agusta president and chief executive officer Amedeo Caporaletti says he hopes Europe will eventually account for 25% of worldwide 609 tiltrotor sales. At present, European customers for the aircraft make up only 15% of the total.
As Agusta joins the 609 programme, there are 68 confirmed sales of the tiltrotor to 40 customers, with deliveries due to begin in April 2002.
Source: Flight Daily News
