AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the delivery of an AW139 to the Incheon Fire Fighting Department in the Republic of Korea. The helicopter will perform fire fighting, emergency medical service, air rescue and transport missions.

Speaking after the contract award, AgustaWestland’s Head of Region, NE Asia, Andrew Symonds said “We are delighted with the continuing success of the AW139 in South Korea and look forward to the helicopter becoming the Government’s helicopter of choice for fire fighting and law enforcement requirements.”

The Incheon Fire Fighting Department AW139 features a comprehensive mission fit including belly tank fire fighting system, 4-axis DAFCS enhanced with hover mode, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), emergency flotation system, search light, cargo hook, rescue hoist and external loudspeaker system. The AW139 offers superior safety levels for the role and provides outstanding one engine inoperative capabilities, systems redundancy, high crashworthiness levels and high visibility main rotor blade paint scheme.

This latest delivery increases the number of AW139s in the Republic of Korean market to eight with other aircraft being operated by Korea Coast Guard, Samsung, Gangwon Fire Fighting Department and Gyeonggi Fire Fighting Department.

The only new generation helicopter in its weight class, the AW139 has rapidly become the benchmark helicopter in the medium twin market and the helicopter of choice for several roles. The AW139 sets new standards of performance in its category with a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots (306 km/h) and a maximum range in excess of 570 nm (1060 km) with auxiliary fuel. The aircraft has outstanding one engine inoperative capabilities, even in the hot and high environmental conditions. The AW139 also features the largest cabin in its category.

The AW139, together with the next generation AW169 and AW189 models, is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters which posses the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features, as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories.

With orders for over 700 units in more than 50 countries from almost 180 customers and over 500 units already in service, the AW139 is the best selling medium twin helicopter in the world.

Editor note – this is serial 41286, now locally registered as HL9277