By Luca Peruzzi in Genoa
The Italian navy has taken delivery of its first two of an initial four AgustaWestland EH101 helicopters equipped to conduct operations in support of amphibious assault and special forces missions.
Assigned to the service's 1st Helicopter Group at Luni naval air station near La Spezia, the new amphibious support helicopter (ASH) fleet will be used to provide enhanced backing for the navy's Comsubin special operations unit, in addition to delivering improved transport and combat capabilities.
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| The new ASH configuration will provide improved combat capabilities |
The new aircraft differ from the Italian navy's first four EH101 utility transports - which were delivered with a night-vision goggle-compatible cockpit, automatic folding tail and main rotors, rear ramp and internal auxiliary fuel tank - through the addition of an internal cargo handling system and provision for an in-flight refuelling probe.
The new ASH configuration also introduces a Selex Communications-supplied satellite communications suite, UHF/VHF radios, enhanced identification friend-or-foe equipment and a FLIR Systems electro-optical sensor. The aircraft also has a wire-strike protection system, fast-roping equipment, rear bubble windows and provisions to carry a Galileo Avionica APS-717(V) weather and navigation radar and Selex laser obstacle avoidance and monitoring system. For combat search-and-rescue applications the aircraft can be equipped with a Tadiran-sourced personnel locator system.
Enhanced survivability features include the integration of an AgustaWestland-developed self-protection suite comprising Elettronica ELT/156X(V4) radar warning receivers, Selex/EADS AAR-60 MILDS II missile warners, RALM 01/V2 laser warning receivers, and MES ECDS-2 chaff and flare dispensers. The aircraft has also been configured to carry 12.7mm machine guns mounted on its rear ramp and starboard cargo door and two window-mounted 7.62mm miniguns.
The navy expects to receive its remaining two EH101 ASH platforms by year-end.
Source: Flight International