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INDUSTRY INFORMATION REVELANT TO YOUR BUSINESS


wide market opportunities for the AW609, both for commercial and government applications,” added Spagnolini. “In particular, the business and sales model case for the AW609 fits consistently with the AgustaWestland extensive, modern product range of dual use aircraft,” he said. Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, will remain involved in the design and certification of AW609 components for which it will be the supplier when the air- craft reaches the production phase.


The AW609 is designed to meet the most stringent Transport Category specific standards in both FAA and EASA certification environments. This makes the AW609 tiltrotor a viable aircraft for all “Commercial Off-the- Shelf” possibilities in government roles, in addition to the many commercial applications repre- sented by customers in the order backlog. AgustaWestland is com- mitted to serving both govern- ment and non-government cus- tomers worldwide as appropriate for AW609 applications. AW609 aircraft #1 will be based in Arlington to proceed with the flight test programme. AW609 #2 will be based at AgustaWestland’s Cascina Costa facility. Two more aircraft, #3 and #4, will be assem- bled at Cascina Costa with aircraft #3 being used for icing certifica- tion testing. FAA/EASA certifica- tion is planned in 2015 with deliveries following immediately afterwards. ◆


AgustaWestland Announces Further Service Center Expansion


AgustaWestland, announced it


is expanding its customer support network with the expansion of its authorised service centre network and blade repair centres which now exceed 70 across the globe. Ten new AgustaWestland Authorised Service Centres are now in the process of being approved, including ones in Russia, Portugal and Australia. Several additional Authorised Blade Repair Centres are also currently under evaluation and are expected to be approved this year. In the last four years AgustaWestland has appointed over 30 new service and blade repair centres greatly expanding its network and delivering on its commitment to deliver local sup- port services to its customers. One of the most significant examples of such commitments is represented by subsidiary AgustaWestland Malaysia Sdn Bhd which has been expanded to pro- vide local spares, maintenance, technical support and training services for the growing fleet of AgustaWestland helicopters in Malaysia and elsewhere in Far and South East Asia. Established in 2007 and located at Kuala Lumpur's Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport with a 40,000 sq. ft. hangar and warehouses, AgustaWestland Malaysia’s region- al maintenance and support cen- tre is AgustaWestland’s regional support hub. With a fleet of approximately 40 commercial and govern- ment/military helicopters cur-


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rently supported in Malaysia and a growing fleet elsewhere in the region, AgustaWestland Malaysia is set to further expand its capabilities to sup- port over 30 new helicopters that will be delivered into the region by the end of 2012, comprising types such as the AW139 and GrandNew. The number of AgustaWestland Malaysia employees is also set to expand from 40 to 50 by the end of 2011. The growing fleet will be able to draw on local maintenance services, spare parts, component and structural repair services, modification and upgrade services and training for both air crew and technicians. A Malaysian DCA/DGTA and Indonesian DGCA approved maintenance and repair organ- ization, AgustaWestland Malaysia is also expected to obtain Thailand DCA and EASA 145 approvals in the near future. ◆


Italian Navy Takes Delivery of Its First NH90 NFH


AgustaWestland, announced


that the Italian Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 NFH helicopter. The Italian Navy has ordered a total of 56 NH90s (46 NFH and 10 TTH units) which will replace old helicopters for a variety of roles including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and utility. The NH90 NFH will give the Italian Navy a major increase in operational capability and mission effec- tiveness due to its outstanding technology and performance. This achievement is also the result of the strong coopera- tion with the Italian Ministry of Defence in the development of the NFH variant for the Italian Navy. The Italian Navy is the second customer to receive the NH90 in Italy, fol- lowing the Italian Army which has a total of 60 NH90 TTH helicopters on order. Italy is one of the nations selecting the NFH variant together with The Netherlands, Norway, France and Belgium. A total of 111 NH90 NFH naval helicopters have been ordered by these nations. ◆


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