Also Continues To Grow Its Southern African VIP/Corporate Transport Market

A deal for a comprehensive service support contract for the South African Air Force’s fleet of AW109LUH helicopters has been reached between the South African government and AgustaWestland. The annual contract includes the provision for it to be extended for up to 5 years. Under the contract AgustaWestland will be responsible for the delivery and provision of spares, support equipment, D-Level maintenance as well as component repair and overhaul services. AgustaWestland will also provide an on-site support team, technical support services, training and technical publication updates under the comprehensive support contract.

Patrick Chabrat, Head of Regional Sales, AgustaWestland, said “This wide ranging support contract will maximise aircraft availability whilst providing through life support cost savings to the customer. The AW109LUH (representative aircraft pictured in file photo) has proven itself to be an ideal multi-role helicopter for the South African Air Force and this contract will enhance the availability of the aircraft to perform the wide range of tasks it is assigned.” AgustaWestland is a world leader in the provision of integrated support services for military helicopter fleets where operators want to leverage on AgustaWestland’s experience to reduce the costs of through life support while increasing aircraft availability.
 
In the UK, AgustaWestland’s award winning Integrated Operational Support (IOS) programs are support the Ministry of Defence’s fleets of Sea King, AW101, Apache and AW159 helicopters. The South African Air Force purchased 30 AW109 LUH helicopters and it has now become the world's best selling military light-twin helicopter, with orders for over 100 helicopters placed by customers around the world. The AW109 LUH is able to satisfy a wide range of land-based as well as sea-based requirements.

The South African Air Force aircraft feature an ergonomic cockpit with three 6x8” flat screen digital displays which are Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible. The aircraft can be flown single-pilot IFR/IMC and is highly manoeuvrable and has a maximum cruise speed 153 knots. The aircraft are in operation in the most varied and demanding weather and environmental conditions, from the arctic to the tropics, to perform many roles including advanced training, troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, maritime patrol, observation, armed escort and anti-armour. The AW109 LUH is operated by the armed forces of several nations including Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand and Malaysia.

On the civilian side, the company has sold another AW139 (representative aircraft pictured in file photo) to an undisclosed southern African customer for VIP/corporate transport operations, the company said in a news release. This latest sale follows the sale of AW139s in VIP/Corporate transport configuration to customers in several southern African countries including Namibia, Zambia, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda and South Africa.

The company says the AW139 will cruise at 165 knots with a range in excess of 500 nm, endurance of 5 hours and superior hover performance. With its power reserve, the AW139 assures Category “A” (Class 1) superior performance from a helipad (elevated or at ground level) at maximum take-off weight.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com