Italy’s air force has put its first AgustaWestland AW101 combat search and rescue helicopter into operational service.
Designated the HH-101A Caesar by Rome, four of an eventual 15 of the Yeovil, UK-built helicopters have so far been delivered to Cervia air base.
Finmeccanica Helicopters
HH-101s are designed for personnel recovery and special forces missions, as well as performing search and rescue, medevac and slow-mover intercept roles.
The 15.6t helicopters feature three M134 7.62 mm pintle-mounted Gatling-type machine guns installed on both sides of the aircraft, as well as on the rear ramp. The Caesar also features an air-to-air refuelling kit for extended range operations.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
