Aircraft to be delivered at the beginning of 2016

• Growing success of the AW139 for public utility applications in Japan
• 38 AW139s already in service in the country performing various roles

Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are pleased to announce that the Iwate Prefecture has selected the AW139 twin-engine intermediate class helicopter for firefighting and disaster relief duties, replacing an aging model. The AW139, already a benchmark helicopter in Japan with 38 units in service, will be delivered to the customer at the beginning of 2016. Iwate Prefecture Firefighting and Disaster Relief Agency’s AW139 will be able to attack fires using a belly tank or Bambi bucket and will be equipped with a search light, cargo hook, rescue hoist, external loudspeakers and snow skids.

The AW139 has proven to be extremely successful in Japan performing a wide range of public utility roles including search and rescue and coast guard duties with the Japan Coast Guard, law enforcement, firefighting and disaster relief with the Japan National Police Agency, Tokyo Metropolitan Police and Fire and Disaster Management Agency, as well as several prefectures and city authorities. All Nippon Helicopter (NHK) and Kansai TV have chosen the AW139 to carry out Electronic News Gathering (ENG) missions across the nation. With orders for over 800 aircraft in more than 60 countries from approximately 220 customers and over 700 aircrafts already in service, the AW139 is the best-selling intermediate weight class twin-engine helicopter in the world.

Agusta Westland press release