AW169

AW169 is the brand new, state-of-the-art 4.6 tonnes twin-engine helicopter, to meet the most stringent civil-certification safety requirements. The AW169 is the latest-generation 4.6 tonnes twin-turbine helicopter, featuring class-leading performance for versatile capability in the most demanding operating conditions. The aircraft exceeds the most demanding market and regulatory requirements, including the most recent FAA and EASA Part 29 standards for performance and safety. Pilots benefit from an advanced open-architecture avionics suite with fully digital glass cockpit and excellent external visibility for optimised situational awareness and minimised workload. Operators benefit from a large, rapidly reconfigurable cabin, with constant-height cross section and easy access for adaptability to a variety of missions.

AgustaWestland developed the AW169 AAS as a contender for the US Army's Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) program to replace the army's ageing OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters with a new helicopter, incorporating modern technology to meet the current and future requirements of the army. Other contenders for the AAS program included Boeing AH-6, EADS AAS-72X+, Bell OH-58 Block II, Sikorsky S-97 Raider and MD 540F by MD Helicopters.

A spacious, quiet and bright 6.3m3 air-conditioned cabin has 1.4m3 baggage compartment, with luxurious, bespoke interiors for the Executive and Private configuration. It is compliant with the most stringent safety standards of FAA/EASA Part 29. Powered by 2 powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A engines with FADEC, it delivers high speed, minimising time airborne for passenger comfort and superior performance in hover. The open architecture avionics suite includes full digital glass cockpit and provides the pilot with maximum situational awareness.

The AW169M is the militarised variant of the AW169, a new generation light intermediate twin-turbine helicopter. The AW169M has been developed to meet the stringent military and civilian certification requirements of military, homeland security and government users. Single / dual-pilot VFR / IFR low workload NVG compatible integrated glass cockpit with advanced avionics and systems provide excellent situational awareness, maximising mission effectiveness and safety. Latest-generation modular open systems architecture enables integration of wide range of mission equipment including government / military communications, advanced navigation systems, weather radar and defensive aids. All weather, day and night capability in the harshest climates ensures that efficient point to point transport is available to operators, whenever it is required.

The AW169M can be customized with a variety of role equipment, including weapon systems internal (Door gunner post 12.7 mm machine gun or Two pintle-mounted 7.62 mm machine guns) and external (7,62/12,7 mm machine guns and/or rockets launchers and/or air to ground/air to air missiles), defensive aids suite and modular ballistic protection for cockpit and cabin, to fully exploit its multi-role capability in the most demanding environments.

The AW169M fully complies with the latest stringent FAR / JAR / EASA requirements in terms of performance and safety. Its Pratt &Whitney Canada PW210A engines, dual channel Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC), together with new generation 5-bladed main rotor, deliver enhanced hover performance, even in demanding conditions and at all weights.

The transmission design provides power to helicopter systems (Hydraulic, Electrical, Air conditioning) with rotors stopped (APU Mode) and just the left engine running. The AW169M features outstanding power, agility and manoeuvrability, providing excellent handling qualities in a wide range of operating conditions including ‘hot and high’.

The AW169M’s NVG compatible Cockpit Display System is based on three large AMLCD displays. The level of information provided to the pilots on the Primary Flight Display can be raised exploiting the overlay capability. The AW169M features an innovative HMI based on touch screen display technology. Intuitiveness makes this technology the best choice during critical situations, where the workload for the crew is extremely high, enabling them to control a high number of different systems from a single display unit.

The state-of-the-art navigation suite is based on a dual Flight Management System (FMS) and an advanced digital dual-duplex 4-axis autopilot, incorporating GNSS/SBAS capabilities. SAR modes and patterns are supported. The cockpit’s ergonomic design, improved visibility, excellent handling characteristics and low vibration levels minimise pilot fatigue, allowing the crew to concentrate on achieving mission objectives.

Designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation, the AW169M features the largest passenger cabin in its class, unobstructed and regular in shape. It can carry up to 10 troops quickly to their drop-off point or up to 3 stretchers. The helicopter is an excellent platform for quick troop deployment in operational theaters and recovery of stretchers in flight thanks to two large sliding doors ensuring rapid ingress / exit from both sides.