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AW609 in vertical flight mode.
Click on the photo to hear the wav sound.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engines:
Power:
Rotor Dia:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Fuel Capacity:
Seating:
Useful load:
Length:
Wingspan:
Max. Cruise:
Max. Speed:
Initial Climb:
Ceiling:
Range:
First Flight:
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utility transport
two
P&W turboprops
2 x 1,940 hp.ea.
26' 0"
10,480 lbs.
16,800 lbs.
2,470 lbs.
9 passengers
5,500 lbs.
46' 3"
38' 5"
316 mph
388 mph
1,500 fpm
25,000 feet
700 miles
3/6/03 |
Agusta Westland has recently been showing off one of their new AW609 (formerly BA609) prototype tiltrotor aircraft. They anticipate
that it will be available for delivery by 2016. A second prototype is also undergoing flight tests, with a third being produced at
Agusta's plant in Italy.
Bell Helicopter started developing the aircraft, along with Boeing, in 1996. When Boeing left the partnership two years later,
Agusta Westland became Bell's partner in the project. In late 2011 Bell Helicopter left the entire project to Agusta Westland.
The AW 609 transitioning to horizontal flight.
The AW609 has a pressurized cabin, comes with an all glass cockpit including three digital displays, full instrument flight capability, computerized flight
data diagnostics, weather radar, GPS, an emergency locator transmitter, and the latest avionics. It is said to be easier to fly
than its larger cousin, with an easy transition from vertical to horizontal flight, and it is capable of autorotation.
Augusta Westland intends to market the AW609 for both military and civil use. In the military role, it can perform much the same as its
larger cousin, the Osprey, but with the lower overall costs of a smaller aircraft. The U.S. Marine Corps. is even considering the
AW609 as a potential helicopter escort. It could find use with the coast guard for search and rescue and maritime patrol missions.
Agusta Westland feels that their AW609 is a logical choice to take the place of executive fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters. In the civilian
role the aircraft can be configured with up to nine passenger seats. It can fly at the same
speed as many executive propeller driven transports, yet land where there are no runways. Its has the potential of being used by law
enforcement, and operators of off shore oil rig transports.
The AW 609 in full horizontal flight mode.
Observers remark that the AW609 is much more quiet than a similar sized helicopter during horizontal flight. However, noise
increases greatly when the aircraft is in its vertical take off and landing mode.
As of this writing Agusta Westland has some 40 clients in 15 nations around the world. They anticipate initial sales of some 70
AW609 aircraft and hope to sell over 450 aircraft in what is expected to be a 20 year production cycle. While Agusta Westland has not
disclosed the exact price of the AW609, it is thought to sell for about US$28 million.
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AgustaWestland AW609
