700th AW139 Goes to Samsung Techwin Co Ltd

Posted By: Marcel van Leeuwen September 30, 2014

700th AW139 Samsung

AgustaWestland handed over two AW139 intermediate twin helicopters to Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd. of the Republic of Korea during a ceremony held at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy. These helicopters will be used to perform corporate transport. The delivery includes the 700th AW139 setting a major production milestone coming approximately ten years after its introduction into service in which time it has set the new standard in its category and become the bestselling aircraft in the intermediate twin category. Samsung Techwin, a leading high technology company operating globally in business sectors such as electronics, security, defence, robotics and energy, has been operating AW139s since 2009 with orders for four aircraft placed. The AW139 has achieved great sales success in the Republic of Korea with the sale of aircraft for a number of applications including corporate transport, coast guard duties and firefighting. Mr. Ki Choon Yang, General Manager, Helicopter Service Team Leader of Samsung Techwin said: “We are delighted to celebrate together with AgustaWestland this important milestone today. We have been operating the AW139 for 5 years and we are extremely satisfied of its performance, safety and reliability. We are very much looking forward to adding to our fleet these two brand new AW139s.”

The delivery of the 700th aircraft marks another major milestone for the AW139 programme. The AW139 has become the bestselling helicopter in its class for an impressive variety of commercial and government roles meeting the most demanding requirements across the globe. Since its certification in 2003, the AW139 has been constantly enhanced to achieve ever increasing levels of performance, safety, mission effectiveness and capability to meet the very latest challenging requirements of present and future customers. The offshore oil and gas helicopter market represents 37% of all AW139 sales to date with the emergency medical service, law enforcement, corporate/VIP transport and military markets each representing between 13 and 18% of total sales. The AW139 has found success around the world with over 200 sales across Europe, 150 sales in  Asia/Australasia, over 130 sales in the Middle East, over 90 sales in North America and nearly 120 sales to the global fleet operators. The AW139 has also sold in significant number in Africa and South America.
The only new generation helicopter in its weight class, the AW139 sets new standards of performance in its class with the largest cabin in its category, 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 operating conditions. The advanced integrated cockpit with state-of-the-art technology minimises pilot workload allowing the crew to concentrate on mission objectives. AW139s are now in service performing many roles including VIP/corporate transport, EMS/SAR, offshore transport, law enforcement and military roles. Over 200 customers from approximately 70 countries have ordered nearly 800 AW139 helicopters so far. Earlier this year the AW139 fleet passed the one million flying hour milestone. The AW139 is part of the AgustaWestland family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW169 and AW189 models, which possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance/training concept. This commonality allows more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories. The AW189 and AW169 are perfectly suited to meet a range of requirements in Korea.