Mon, Aug 03, 2009
Contract Includes Training And Logistical Support
Not all the news is from Wisconsin this week. AgustaWestland
says that the government of Trinidad and Tobago has signed a
contract to purchase four AW139 medium twin turbine helicopters.
Trinidad and Tobago's Air Guard (TTAG) will establish a dedicated
unit to use these helicopters for search and rescue, surface
surveillance, law enforcement, drug interdiction and disaster
relief operations. The contract also includes an extensive training
and logistical support service for the first five years. The
contract, comprising the aircraft and support package, is valued at
US$348 million.
A consortium involving AgustaWestland, Bristow Caribbean, FB
Heliservices of UK and Helidex of USA will be established to manage
the AW139 program in Trinidad and Tobago with training services to
be supplied in Italy, the UK and the USA. Operations will primarily
take place from Piarco International Airport and from offshore
patrol vessels, working in conjunction with the Coast Guard. This
order marks the establishment of the first Search and Rescue
helicopter unit in the country.
Giuseppe Orsi, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said "We
are delighted that the Trinidad and Tobago has selected the AW139
to meet its search and rescue and homeland security requirements.
This purchase demonstrates the continued success of the AW139
platform worldwide and in the Central America and Caribbean markets
where we see good business opportunities in the future". The TTAG
joins a number of AW139 operators worldwide including the Spanish
Marine Safety Agency, the UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, the
Italian Coast Guard, the Japanese Coast Guard, the Korean Coast
Guard and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in selecting
the AW139 for their SAR missions.
The AW139 is the best selling medium twin-engine helicopter in
the world. To date, almost 440 orders for this helicopter have been
placed by nearly 120 customers in more than 40 countries for a wide
variety of applications including EMS/SAR, law enforcement,
offshore transport, VIP/corporate transport, fire fighting, utility
and other commercial and government roles.
The state-of-the-art AW139 is designed with inherent multi-role
capability and flexibility of operation. It offers unmatched
performance and safety levels as well as the largest cabin in its
class. Large sliding doors enable quick and easy access for fast
rope activities. With a maximum cruise speed of 165 kts (306 km/h),
a maximum range of 573 nm (1061 km) and over 5 hours endurance, the
AW139 helicopter offers best-in-class mission capability.
Cutting-edge mission-dedicated technology and equipment and
outstanding performance features enable the AW139 to accomplish the
most demanding operations in the harshest weather and environmental
conditions.
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