To strengthen its multi-role aerial capabilities by intervening in support of the Italian population in any emergency situation, integrating the firefighting tasks of the Corps, the Fire Brigade signed a contract for the supply of three AW139 helicopters. The order, worth approximately 45 million euros, also includes integrated support and training services for pilots and technicians and provides options for an additional 12 AW139s. The delivery of the three new helicopters will be launched shortly and completed in 2019. More than 816.000 rescue and firefighting missions are carried out every year to counter threats such as those that affected various areas of Europe, including Italy, last summer. With the acquisition of the best helicopter in the world for carrying out tasks such as search and rescue at sea and in the mountains, medical rescue, firefighting and civil protection, the Fire Brigade will now be able to strengthen their reaction capacity to meet these challenges. The AW139 was chosen by the customer following a tender held in mid-2017, proving to be the best solution to meet the customer's requirements.The AW139 will be equipped with a wide range of equipment such as, among others, recovery winch, barycentric hook for the use of firefighting bucket, weather radar, satellite communication system, electro-optical system, high definition mission console developed by Leonardo and data transmission system, an advanced anti-collision system designed by Leonardo, ability to use night vision goggles, search beacon, floats and lifeboats, megaphone, medical instruments. The new helicopters will progressively replace the AB412 of the Fire Brigade, which have been in service for several decades. With a maximum take-off weight of 7 tons, the AW139 features a spacious cabin accessible via two large side doors, powerful engines and unmatched performance and safety standards, all of which contribute to making it the best product in its class. Excellent flight capabilities even with only one running engine allow this model to carry out and complete even the most demanding missions in complete safety. The cockpit features state-of-the-art avionics technology, an advanced autopilot developed for carrying out search and rescue operations and large displays that allow clear, immediate and easy access to all flight and mission information with consequent reduction crew workload, thus allowing them to focus more on the mission.
Helicopter AW139
In addition to the Fire Brigade, the AW139 has been chosen in Italy and is already in service with the Guardia di Finanza, the State Police, the Coast Guard and the Air Force. Institutional clients using this model benefit from shared logistics management and training and support services. The order of the Fire Brigade brings the total number of AW56s acquired by Italian government operators to 139 to cover a wide range of missions including public order and security, patrolling, special operations, search and rescue, command and control, government transport and VVIP, civil protection and training.
There are many government agencies that carry out operations of public order, safety protection and maritime and border patrols that have chosen the AW139 worldwide. In addition to Italy, the countries include the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Sweden, Spain, Estonia, the Netherlands, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. The AW139 confirms itself as the undisputed leader in the world market with orders to date for over 1100 units, of which more than 900 in service, from more than 270 customers in around 70 countries.
Leonardo is among the top ten companies in the world in Aerospace, Defense and Security and the leading Italian industrial company.Organized in seven business divisions (Helicopters; Aircraft; Aerostructures; Avionics and Space Systems; Electronics for Land and Naval Defense; Systems of Defense; Systems for Security and Information), Leonardo competes on the most important international markets by leveraging its areas of technological and product leadership. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2017 Leonardo recorded restated consolidated revenues of € 11,7 billion and boasts a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, the USA and Poland.