Description:
The AB139 is a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter capable of carrying up to 15 passengers or 2,500 kilograms of useful load at 157 knots. It is intended for both civilian and military customers. It features an spacious cabin combining the benefits of proven technology and the most demanding JAR/FAR 29 standards. This product is the result of close cooperation between Bell of USA and AgustaWestand (former Agusta) of Italy through a joint venture which is responsible for the whole project.
The first production AB139 helicopter took to the sky powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turboshaft engines at AgustaWestland's plant in Vergiate, Italy, on June 24, 2002. The first prototype flight occurred on February 3, 2001. The type certification using a four-screen with Honeywell's flight instrumentation cockpit providing decreased pilot workload by FAA was completed on December 20, 2004. Two assembly lines - one at Vergiate, Italy, and a second one in Texas - will deliver AB139s to worldwide customers.
As of December 2004, the AB139 was assessed to have lower operating costs and higher productivity than any other helicopter in the 5 to 8 tons class. The wide range of missions, which AB139 is suitable for, include offshore, VIP transport, search and rescue, and law enforcement. To date, AgustaWestland/Bell has logged firm orders for over 80 helicopters from 40 customers worldwide. In addition, AB139 helicopter was selected for US Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater program. Work in the American assembly line is expected to commence in 2005 with the first delivery anticipated in 2006.
The Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture established by Lockheed-Martin and Northrop-Grumman, selected AB139 as the future VRS solution to perform search and rescue, maritime emergency response, anti-drug patrols, illegal migrant interdiction, and fisheries enforcement on June 26, 2002. ICGS is the contractor team in charge of the US Coast Guard's Deepwater program. On December 3, 2004, the Irish Department of Defence selected AB139 for their utility helicopter requirement including troop transport duties, air ambulance, inland search and rescue and VIP transport. A firm order for four helicopters was anticipated by the Irish government.
The first AB139 was handed over to Aga Kahn Development Network, which ordered four aircraft, at Agusta plant in Vergiate on February 12, 2004. The Namibian government ordered two AB139s tailored to conduct VIP transport for up to 12 passengers and the other multi-mission role on September 18, 2002. The first aircraft was delivered to Namibia on September 16, 2004.
SEACOR Holdings Inc. placed an order for 20 Bell/Agusta AB139 medium-twin helicopters on 7 February 2005. These helicopters are meant to support offshore oil operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Deliveries were scheduled to run from the late 2005 through 2009. As of early 2005, this order was the largest order for the type so far.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force awarded Bell/Agusta Aerospace company a contract on 15 February, 2005, for eight AB139 medium-weight twin-engine helicopters. These contract was valued at $83 million. Six aircraft will be configured to perform search and rescue missions and the other will be customized for VIP transport. Ireland and Oman also operate the AB139 in search and rescue configuration.
AgustaWestland and the Ministry of Interior of Estonia signed a contract for the sale of an AB139 helicopter with option for an additional aircraft on November 29, 2005. The AB139 aircraft will serve as border guard in support of European Union (EU) Schengen Zone which Estonia is slated to join in 2007.
On February 8, 2006 the Spanish Marine Safety Agency, Sasemar, placed an order with AgustaWestland for three AB139 helicopters to be delivered in search and rescue configuration.
On February 23, 2006 Mitsui Bussan Aerospace of Japan signed a contract worth $100 million with AgustaWestland for 12 AW139, formerly AB139, helicopters and an exclusive distributor agreement for the AW139 in Japan. Deliveries were slated to start in 2007.
On June 14, 2006, Queensland government of Australia placed an order for three AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters configured for Search and Rescue (SAR) and Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
On 28 June 2006, AgustaWestland sold one A109 Power, two CA109 Powers and one AW139 helicopters to the Beijing Municipality Public Security Bureau to provide law enforcement, particularly during the 2008 Olympic Games. The two CA109 Powers will be assembled in China by the joint venture Jiangxi Change Agusta Helicopter (CAH).
On 18 July 2006, the Italian Civil Protection placed a firm order for a medium twin-engine AW139 helicopter to serve as an airborne command post to support and supplement disaster relief efforts at national, regional and local levels. The helicopter's cabin will be equipped with a comprehensive communications suite.
On 3 August 2006, Mexican carrier Aerolineas Ejecutivas signed a five-year distribution agreement with AgustaWestland including two A109 Power and one A119 Koala, one Grand and one AW139 plus options for 37 helicopters.
On 20 September 2006, AgustaWestland was awarded a contract by the Nigerian government for the supply of four AW139 helicopters configured for corporate transport and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. Nigerian State House, the Government of River States and the Nigerian Navy will be the end customers for these aircraft.
On 18 October 2006, the Japanese Coast Guard selected AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter as the replacement for the Bell 212 in the maritime search and rescue role throughout Japan. An initial contract for three AW139s was awarded to AgustaWestland and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace. The Japanese Coast Guard could order as many as 24 AW139 helicopters to meet the search and rescue requirement.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 1, Passengers 15
Dimensions: Height 5.0 m, Length 16.7 m, Main Rotor Diameter 13.8 m, Width 3 m
Weights: Max Weight 6,400 kg (14,109 lb), Payload 2,500 kg (5,511 lb)
Performance: Cruise Speed 81 mps (292 kph), Endurance 4 hours, Max Range 568 km (307 nm)
Australia
Brazil
Canada / 26 
China / 9 
Estonia / 1 
Faroe Islands
Finland
India / 1 
Ireland / 4 
Italy / 1 
Japan / 19 
Kazakhstan / 2 
Malaysia / 4 
Mexico / 4 
Namibia / 2 
Netherlands / 2 
New Zealand / 5 
Nigeria / 4 
Norway
Oman
Qatar / 28 
Russia / 49 
Saudi Arabia / 7 
South Africa
South Korea / 8 
Spain / 11 
Sweden / 5 
Turkey / 3 
United Arab Emirates / 10 
United Kingdom / 4 
United States of America