Dubai 2015: SAR launch role for AW609

The AW609s will be used for search and rescue missions (SAR). The value of the deal has not been disclosed but a delivery start date of 2019 was announced.

The AW609s will be operated by the new National Search and Rescue Centre (chalet A59), which has been operating for a year but was only officially launched earlier this week by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The centre is based in Abu Dhabi, alongside Abu Dhabi Aviation, which operates the AW139s on its behalf.

JAC currently operates 11 AW139 helicopters for a range of missions, including SAR. The AW609 will extend its operational capability thanks to its maximum speed of 275kt and range of 750nm, roughly twice as fast as a normal helicopter with twice the range.

“The AW609’s unique speed and range characteristics, combined with its ability to hover, will dramatically increase SAR mission capabilities,” said Staff Major General Abdulla Al Sayed Al Hashemi. “We look forward to operating the AW609 tiltrotor and utilising the speed advantage it brings.”

Daniele Romiti, chief executive of AgustaWestland, said: “It will cut in half the time of intervention to where you have to go. It's half the time to get the patient back.”

Romiti confirmed that UAE pilots had already flown the AW609 at last February’s Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California.

JAC officials brushed aside questions about possible delays to the AW609 programme after last week’s accident in which two AgustaWestland test pilots died. An investigation into the crash is on-going.

However, they admitted negotiations are continuing with AgustaWestland over the final price and configuration of the aircraft.

Romiti said AgustaWestland had a long-standing relationship with the JAC, which made it an ideal launch customer.