Japan National Police Agency (JNPA) has ordered another AW139 intermediate twin helicopter which will be operated in the Kagoshima Prefecture. The AW139 helicopter will replace an ageing Bell 412 model  and will enter service in 2015.

The helicopter has been ordered with a law enforcement configuration that includes rescue hoist, search light, auxiliary tank and dedicated avionic systems such as an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System and Enhanced Vision System.

Andrew Symonds, President, AgustaWestland Japan said “This order represents the 9th Prefecture to operate the AW139 helicopter in a law enforcement role and underpins the strength of AgustaWestland’s products in the extremely competitive law enforcement market where over recent years we have gained significant market share”

The Kagoshima order increases the number of AgustaWestland helicopters performing law enforcement operations throughout Japanese prefectures to over 40, which represents 40% of the law enforcement market. The AgustaWestland products providing this capability include the AW109, GrandNew, AW139 and the AW101.

The AW139 has proven extremely successful in Japan performing a number of roles including search and rescue and coast guard duties, firefighting, disaster relief and electronic news gathering with a number of operators.

The only new generation helicopter in its weight class, the AW139 sets new standards of performance in its category with a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots (306 km/h) and a maximum range in excess of 570 nm (1060 km) with auxiliary fuel. The aircraft has outstanding one engine inoperative capabilities, even in the hot and high environmental conditions. The AW139 also features the largest cabin in its category. The AW139, together with the next generation AW169 and AW189 models, is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters which possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features, as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories.
With orders for over 750 aircraft in 60 countries from more than 200 customers and over 620 aircraft already in service, the AW139 is the best-selling intermediate twin engine helicopter in the world.

AgustaWestland’s success in the Japanese helicopter market continues to grow with strong sales in recent years across its complete commercial product range. AgustaWestland’s regional business headquarters, based in Tokyo, has been supporting company’s growing business in Japan since 2008. The military helicopter fleet in Japan is supported by Kawasaki Heavy Industry and Marubeni Aerospace while the commercial helicopter fleet in Japan is supported by Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, Kanematsu Aerospace, Kaigai Bussan and four official service centers which provide maintenance and repair services, confirming AgustaWestland’s commitment to current and future rotorcraft requirements in Japan.