LONDON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- AgustaWestland has completed a test flight of its next-generation military helicopter in England marking a milestone in the development of the aircraft.
AgustaWestland announced the first successful test flight of its new AW159 Wildcat multi-mission military helicopter. The flight marked a milestone for AgustaWestland who is under contract to deliver 62 Wildcats to the British Royal Navy and Army.
Officials say the flight, which took place at the company's Somerset, England facility, was designed to evaluate the handling characteristics of the Wildcat. The AW159 is being developed as a next-generation to the widely deployed Lynx helicopter.
"This is without doubt a very important milestone," Stewart Deakin, British Defense Equipment and Support Wildcat program manager, said in a statement.
"This date was set at contract award in June 2006 and it is to AgustaWestland and the Lynx project team's credit to have delivered it on time."
