20-Dec-2010 Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Justice of Cyprus has taken delivery of two AW139 medium twin engine helicopters during an official ceremony held today in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias; Minister of Justice and Public Order, Loukas Louka; Chief of Police, Michalakis Papageorgiou and the Italian Ambassador Alfredo Bastianelli. The aircraft will be used to perform law enforcement, border patrol and search and rescue operations. The event marks the entry of the AW139 in the Cypriot helicopter market where a total of five aircraft have been ordered. Three more AW139s will be delivered soon to the Ministry of Defence for search and rescue and utility-EMS duties, to cover the Cyprus Flight Information Region (FIR) and EU’s Frontex operational requirements.
The AW139 is a new generation medium twin-turbine helicopter setting new standards in its class. The AW139 is the only new generation helicopter in its class, in service today, that fully complies with the latest certification requirements in terms of performance and safety. Its Pratt & Whitney turbines together with a state-of-the-art 5-bladed main rotor provide unequalled performance, even in demanding hot and high conditions at maximum all up mass. The availability of modular role kits allows easy and quick conversion to and from various configurations. The law enforcement-configured AW139 is available with a wide range of mission equipment and with the most spacious cabin in the medium twin class is the helicopter of choice for demanding homeland security requirements. The Ministry of Justice’s AW139s are provided with a comprehensive tailored configuration including FLIR camera, rescue hoist, search-weather radar, SAR mission console, cargo hook with provision for fire fighting, EMS kit, engine particle separators, police radio communication equipment, and a fast rope/ rappelling kit.
A large number of customers have ordered or are already operating the AW139 for law enforcement and SAR duties in many countries including Japan, China, The Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Spain, Estonia, Republic of Korea and Malaysia just to name a few. Orders for almost 490 AW139 helicopters have been placed by nearly 140 customers from approximately 50 countries to carry out a wide range of missions including law enforcement and homeland security duties, EMS/SAR, utility, fire fighting, VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport and other government roles.