AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) has signed a preliminary sale contract for two AW169 helicopters. The contract was signed today by Andy Williamson, CEO, WNAA and Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland, during a ceremony at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the presence of the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills. The aircraft will be delivered in 2015 specially configured for the WNAA’s air ambulance mission requirements.

The contract marks the entrance of the AW169 into the UK public service market and represents another outstanding success for the all new AW169 model, just a few months after its commercial launch earlier this year. A significant number of firm orders have already been logged worldwide for a range of commercial and public service applications. The AW169 helicopter program, which was unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show in July 2010, is progressing as planned with the first flight scheduled in 2012. Ray Edwards, Managing Director, AgustaWestland said We are delighted that the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance has chosen the AW169 to meet its future air ambulance requirements. Being at the forefront of air ambulance services in the UK, the AW169 is the ideal platform to further enhance the service they provide to the communities they serve. The AW169 is ideal for air ambulance and police missions and we are confident that it will find great success in the UK market.

Andy Williamson, Chief Executive Officer, Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance said “We are delighted with the development of the AW 169 and intend to launch the first two in service as a more advanced state of the art helicopter emergency medical service.” A versatile, new generation twin engine light intermediate category helicopter, the AW169 has been designed in response to the growing market demand for an aircraft that delivers high performance, meets all the latest safety standards and has multi-role capabilities. The 4.5 tonne AW169 incorporates several new technology features to provide the highest levels of safety and operational benefits for its customers. New generation technologies are incorporated in the rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems. The AW169 is set to be the most advanced and cost effective helicopter in its class for EMS, SAR, law enforcement, passenger and offshore transport and utility missions.

Agusta Westland press release