Leonardo has delivered the first two of three AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters to the Italian National Fire Corps (Vigili del Fuoco, part of the Ministry of the Interior) that were ordered in 2018. The $50.6 million deal includes training and support and options for 12 additional helicopters. The new AW139s are planned to progressively replace the Italian National Fire Corps AB412s. The first two ships will be based at Rome Ciampino for National Fire Corps personnel training.
The National Fire Corps’ AW139s feature mission equipment that includes an external rescue hoist, cargo hook with bambi bucket provision, weather radar, multi-band and satellite communication systems, high-definition forward-looking infrared/low light TV (FLIR/LLTV) system, Leonardo’s high-definition mission console with digital recorder, high-definition downlink, Leonardo’s optical proximity LiDAR system (OPLS), night vision goggle (NVG) capability, new-generation Trakka searchlight, emergency floatation system and external life rafts, external loudspeaker, medical rack, and bubble windows.
Some 54 other AW139s are also in service with agencies including Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, State Police, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Leonardo notes that more than 816,000 rescues and sorties are performed every year fighting fires across Europe. More than 950 AW139s are in service worldwide including with law enforcement, maritime/border patrol and security agencies from countries including Italy, the UK, U.S., Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Sweden, Spain, Estonia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and the UAE.