AgustaWestland,
a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Republic of
Korea has selected the AW159 helicopter to meet its Maritime Operational
Helicopter requirement. The contract for eight AW159 helicopters for
the Republic of Korea Navy is the first export order for this new generation
aircraft, known as the AW159 Wildcat in UK service. This contract, which
includes aircrew and maintainer training, initial spares and support
services, will help sustain several hundred jobs at AgustaWestland’s
Yeovil factory in the UK as well as many jobs within the extensive UK
supply chain. The Company is already delivering AW159 Wildcats into
service in the UK to fulfil the UK Ministry of Defence’s order
for 62 AW159 helicopters for the Royal Navy and British Army. Deliveries
of the AW159s for the Republic of Korea will start in 2015 and be completed
in 2016. |
Prime
Minister David Cameron said: "Today's announcement demonstrates
Britain's ability to successfully compete in the global race. I'm delighted
the Korean Government has chosen to continue its relationship with AgustaWestland
in selecting this state of the art maritime helicopter which will help
safeguard high quality jobs and skills in Yeovil and across the country.
The Royal Navy already enjoys a very close relationship with Korea,
and I have no doubt that this decision will only strengthen further
our essential bilateral relationship." Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland
said: “This was a demanding competition, with an extensive evaluation
of all the competitors, and demonstrates that the AW159 offers a winning
combination of capability and value for money, even when competing against
larger helicopters. We’ve had a long and successful partnership
with the Republic of Korea Navy, which operates a large fleet of our
Super Lynx helicopters, so we welcome their continued confidence in
our aircraft and intend to build on today’s success in other export
markets in future.” The Republic of Korea Navy aircraft will be
equipped with a wide range of mission equipment including an active
dipping sonar, 360 degree scan radar, nose mounted electro-optical device
and a rescue hoist. It will also be equipped to carry anti-ship missiles,
torpedoes and a door mounted gun. This will allow it to perform a wide
range of roles, from both shore and ship bases, including anti-surface
warfare, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, maritime security
and maritime surveillance. UK Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green
said: "I am delighted that the Republic of Korea is continuing
its long-standing relationship with AgustaWestland by selecting this
state of the art maritime helicopter. The Korean Government and its
Defence Acquisition and Programme Administration conducted a thorough
and transparent competition and the UK Government will do all it can
to ensure a smooth introduction of AW159 into service with the Republic
of Korea Navy.”
The AW159 is a new generation multi-role military helicopter that is
now replacing Lynx helicopters in service with the Royal Navy and British
Army. Designed with the same attributes that have made the Lynx the
world’s best maritime helicopter in its class, the AW159 is set
to claim this title. The AW159 has a semi-rigid rotor head which gives
it high agility and the same legendary ship operating capabilities of
the Lynx helicopter. It is also fitted with composite rotor blades utilising
the same technology that enabled the Lynx to break the world helicopter
speed record. The AW159 is powered by a pair of LHTEC CTS800-4N engines,
each providing up to 1,361 shp, which gives the aircraft exceptional
performance, even in hot and high environments. The engine installation
also incorporates exhausts with built in IR suppression to provide increased
survivability. The AW159 has the most modern integrated cockpit of any
naval helicopter, featuring four large area (10” x 8”) cockpit
displays and a fully integrated avionics suite and mission system to
provide increased mission capability and increased crew effectiveness. |
