Panama's AW139 helicopters hit a flight-hour milestone

April 6 (UPI) -- AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters operated by Panama's Servicio Nacional Aeronaval have achieved a 5,000-hour operational milestone.

Leonardo of Italy, of which AW is a part, said the 5,000-flight-hour milestone was reached less than four years after the aircraft entered service with the country.

"This milestone further reinforces the strength of the relationship between Leonardo and the Republic of Panama, as well as the high level of support provided to their fleet of government helicopters," Mauro Moretti, chief executive officer and general manager of Leonardo, said in a press release. "Additional deliveries of helicopters later this year will continue to build on the success of Leonardo in the Republic of Panama and are evidence of the solutions we can provide across all sectors to serve the country, its businesses, and its people."

The AW139 is a medium-lift search-and-rescue and utility aircraft. It has a cruising speed of 191 miles per hour and a flight endurance time of more than five hours.

The fleet of six AW139s operated by Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, or SENAN, are used for rescue missions, medical evacuations, and coastal patrolling.

Leonardo said two additional AW139s are to be delivered to SENAN this year.