TOKYO, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The Japan National Police Agency has ordered another multi-role medium-lift AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, the aviation manufacturer says.
The AW139 is to replace a Super Puma AS332L1 helicopter from Aerospatiale, now operating with the JPNA's Chiba prefecture.
The JNPA fleet already includes two AW139 helicopters, both operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Another AW139 is used by the Japan Coast Guard for search and rescue missions.
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, said the deals are part of its Japanese strategy aiming the AW139 at the commercial and public service markets, including fire fighting and disaster relief work. The JPNA sale was through Mitusi Bussan Aerospace, the sole distributor of AgustaWestland helicopters in Japan.
Two of the helicopters, to be delivered this year, have also been purchased by leasing business All Nippon Helicopter to provide Nippon Housou Kyoukai, Japan's national broadcasting corporation, with improved news gathering services.
The AW139 carries two pilots and up to 15 passengers or up to four litters and four medical attendants, and meets civil and government certification standards including the latest FAA and EASA FAR/JAR Part 29 amendments. Its maximum cruising speed is 190mph and has a maximum takeoff weight of 14,110 pounds with a maximum useful load of 5,909 pounds.
Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turbines with a five-bladed main rotor power the AW139 for a maximum range of around 775 miles.
Orders for nearly 440 AW139 helicopters have been placed by around 120 customers globally, AgustaWestland said. They perform missions ranging from offshore transport, search-and-rescue and emergency medical services, VIP and corporate transport to law enforcement and homeland security.
The Super Puma carries two pilots and up to 19 passengers or 9,920 pounds with a sling. It has a maximum weight of nearly 19,000 lbs. Its power plant is two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines giving a maximum range at maximum weight of around 610 miles. Fast cruise speed at maximum weight is around 160mph.
In August, the Korea National Police Agency bought an eight-seat single-engine AgustaWestland AW119Ke, the third law enforcement helicopter sold into the Korean market. It will join two KNPA AW109 helicopters that have been in service for a number of years
Earlier this year the first AW139 helicopter was delivered into Korea for work with the Gangwon Fire Fighting Department.
The AgustaWestland announcement comes after Eurocopter signed a deal at the beginning of this month with the Royal Thai Police for three EC155 Dauphin helicopters. The medium-weight twin-engine helicopters will be delivered in 2011 and be dedicated to VVIP missions. The RTP already operate two EC155 helicopters.
Eurocopter South East Asia, a division of Eurocopter, recently opened a branch office in Bangkok.
