AgustaWestland has broken ground on an expansion of its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility to accommodate production of the AB139, confirming plans for US assembly of its medium twin helicopter at its subsidiary Agusta Aerospace after buying out Bell’s share in the programme (Flight International, 29 November–5 December). Construction of the $27 million facility is to be completed by the end of next year. US assembly of the AB139 had been planned to begin next year at Bell’s Amarillo, Texas plant.
Source: Flight International
