AW169

The AgustaWestland AW169 is a twin-engine light-intermediate helicopter produced by Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) of Italy for utility, emergency medical, law enforcement, offshore and VIP transport roles. With a maximum takeoff weight of 4,800 kg and seating for up to 10 passengers, it entered service in 2015 and shares cockpit and component commonality with the larger AW139 and AW189.

Development

AgustaWestland announced the programme at the Farnborough International Air Show on 19 July 2010. The British government provided a $33 million development loan in 2011, and in 2012 the European Union approved a 19-year €272 million zero-interest loan from the Italian government, of which the aid element was €94 million. The first of four prototypes flew on 10 May 2012, with the second and third joining the test programme later that year and the fourth in 2013. EASA certification followed on 15 July 2015, and FAA certification in February 2016 after high- and low-altitude trials in California. Rotor blades, intermediate and tail gearboxes and the tail rotor hub were designed and built by the UK branch at Yeovil; assembly of the first production aircraft began at Vergiate, Italy, in January 2015. A second line at Philadelphia began work in 2015 but was abandoned in October 2016. Adani Defence & Aerospace and Leonardo later signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an Indian assembly line for the AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM, offered against the HAL Utility Helicopter-Marine for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard's 76-aircraft Naval Utility Helicopter tender.

Design

The AW169 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A FADEC turboshafts of 735 kW each, driving the main rotor at variable speeds. Dampers between the main rotor blades reduce vibration, and the type was the first production helicopter in its category with electrically actuated landing gear. Avionics include a Rockwell Collins glass cockpit with three touchscreen displays, digital maps, dual radar altimeters, ADS-B, HUMS and NVG compatibility. A four-axis digital automatic flight control system and dual flight management system with terrain and traffic avoidance permit single-pilot IFR certification. No auxiliary power unit is fitted; a transmission clutch allows the rotors to be stopped while the port engine powers avionics and electrical systems. Optional equipment includes full or limited ice protection, auxiliary fuel tanks, rescue hoist, cargo hook, flotation aids, external cameras, rappelling fittings and mission consoles. Maximum speed is 306 km/h, range 820 km and endurance 4 hours 20 minutes.

Operational History

Leonardo offered the AW169 AAS for the US Army Armed Aerial Scout programme in April 2013; the competition was terminated later that year without procurement. Lease Corporation International was launch customer with 12 on order by October 2015. Norway's National Police Directorate ordered three in July 2017 for 313 million NOK. Austria ordered 18 in September 2020 to replace Alouette IIIs, later expanded to 36. North Macedonia contracted for four AW169Ms alongside four AW149s in March 2024 under a €249.9 million agreement. Other operators include the Guardia di Finanza (22), the Italian Army, the Dominican Air Force, Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Indonesian National Police and numerous UK air ambulance services. On 27 October 2018, G-VSKP crashed at Leicester after a seized tail rotor control shaft bearing, killing all five aboard.

Variants

• AW169: Baseline designation for the type.
• AW169 AAS: Militarised variant proposed for the cancelled US Army Armed Aerial Scout programme.
• AW169M: Multirole variant, designated UH-169A in Guardia di Finanza service.
• UH-169D: Italian Army light utility helicopter for troop transport, utility support, armed reconnaissance and close air support.
• AW169B/MA Lion: Austrian training and light multirole/attack configurations.