• Expected to enter service in 2016
• Seven AW139s now sold in China for public service duties
• Operating in Yunnan’s demanding conditions and diverse geographies validate AW139’s unrivalled capability
• Over 130 AgustaWestland helicopters sold to Chinese customers to date

 

Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland announced today that Yunnan Provincial Police Department has placed an order for one AW139 intermediate helicopter. The aircraft will be used for law enforcement, border patrol, special operations, and utility missions in the region and is expected to enter service in 2016.

The contract for the AW139 by Yunnan Provincial Police Department, awarded following a rigorous assessment of competing solutions, further strengthens the success of the type in the country and brings the total number of AW139s purchased in China for public services roles in various provinces to seven. AgustaWestland is committed to deliver the highest level of customer service to growing number of Chinese customers.. More than 130 AgustaWestland helicopters have been sold to Chinese customers to date.

Yunnan Province is the most southwestern province in China, bordering Vietnam, Laos and Burma. It boasts both high plateaus with elevations above 3000 meters and tropical rainforests in the east.  The diverse operating geographies and climate, including demanding hot and high environments, proves once again the excellent performance and multi-mission capability of AW139.

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, 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 almost 900 aircraft in more than 70 countries from more than 220 customers and over 730 aircraft already in service, the AW139 is the best-selling intermediate twin engine helicopter in the world. Many operators have chosen or are already operating the AW139 for homeland security, law enforcement and public utility applications in many nations worldwide including China, Japan, Chile, Brazil, USA, Italy, The Netherlands, Bulgaria, Oman, and UAE. The type has also found significant success globally for other applications such as offshore transport, EMS/SAR, executive/private and passenger transport and government roles.

Press release AgustaWestland