MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN)'s two armed AgustaWestland AW-109Es are now undergoing "technical inspection and assessment."
This includes the airframe and weapon systems.
Weapon systems of the AW-109Es consist of rocket and machine gun mounts which arrived in the second week of Maylast year.
This procedure is the final part before the aircraft is accepted and commissioned with the Naval Air Group.
The latter will determine whether there are any defects or deficiencies in the AW-109Es.
The last two AW-109E airframes arrived in the Philippines last December.
This is part of the five-helicopter deal, worth Php1.33-billion, signed by the Philippines with AgustaWestland in early 2013.
Three of the AW-109s were delivered and commissioned in Dec. 22, 2013.
The armed versions of the AW-109s will be equipped with machine guns, 20mm cannons and possibly, with air-to-ground rockets.
The AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.
The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.
The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
It's superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class.
For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.
The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
(PNA)
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