Leonardo and the Japanese operator Nakanihon Air Service, Co. (Nakanihon Air Service) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Heli-Expo for the launch of a working group that will study the requirements for the use in Japan of the AW609 multi-role convertiplano. Several Japanese civil and government customers are already using Leonardo's advanced helicopter technology to their satisfaction.
AW609 represents the new generation of air transport and responds to new and rigorous certification requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA. In the United States, Leonardo started series production of the convertiplano in the Philadelphia plant where, in the 2020, in line with the market demand, the first Full Motion simulator will be operational.
Thanks to its unique characteristics, the AW609 can quickly reach people in need in areas difficult to access by land or traditional aircraft, and can take off and land in densely populated urban areas faster than helicopters and surface vehicles. The convertiplane can operate in the high mountains, quickly travel the coasts or connect islands very far from each other, or reach sparsely populated areas and very far from the nearest hospital. The convertiplane is able to do all this with performance and flight capability in all weather conditions without precedents in the aeronautical field, thus proving an ideal solution in light of the characteristics of the territory of Japan.
Thanks to a speed comparable to that of a turboprop aircraft, a share of about 8000 meters and a maximum range of 2000 km, AW609 users will benefit from unique flight capabilities, with a pressurized cabin optimized to ensure maximum comfort and medical treatment of the patient in emergency missions, while maintaining the typical versatility of the helicopter in terms of take-off and vertical landing or stationary flight.
Nakanihon Air Service said "We operate around 80 aircraft, including airplanes and helicopters, and we are very interested in the new convertiplane. Through this working group with Leonardo we intend to evaluate the possible applications of the AW609 for rescue missions, civil protection, utilities to support publishing and new business areas ".
Over the next twelve months, the working group will benefit from the experience of Nakanihon Air Service, one of Japan's largest aircraft and helicopter operators and technical assistance center for Leonardo's helicopters in the country, to identify all possible opportunities for the first convertiplane multirole commercial in the world for transport, helicopter and search and rescue tasks in Japan. In fact, Nakanihon Air Service has been providing charter transport services and materials, aerial photography and rescue services all over Japan for decades. Thanks to the experience accumulated over time in the use of both aircraft and helicopters, together with the skills in the field of maintenance, Nakanihon Air Service is therefore presented as an ideal partner in Japan.
Leonardo boasts a fleet of over 130 helicopters serving on Japanese territory for public order and security, air ambulance, search and rescue, fire protection, civil protection, VIP / corporate transport, publishing support and naval operations.