Bristow Group is purchasing six Leonardo AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters to support its UKSAR2G search and rescue (SAR) program in the UK. The helicopters will be delivered between 2023 and 2024 and will join Bristow’s existing fleet of nine AW189s already in service in support of the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The AW139s will feature a 7-ton maximum take-off weight, Honeywell Primus Epic integrated avionics Phase 8, an advanced synthetic vision system, improved 2D maps and wireless data loading, and a limited ice protection system. Post-delivery Bristow will perform mission systems integration on the aircraft in partnership with Nova Systems and the helicopters will be covered by a new Leonardo-Bristow long-term global service program.
Bristow has operated a variety of Leonardo helicopter models for more than 26 years and this order will bring its Leonardo fleet to nearly 100 units that are used in missions including offshore energy transport, SAR, and emergency medical service throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Australasia. Approximately one-third of the AW139 global fleet flies daily life-saving missions.
More than 1,100 AW139s are in service worldwide with over 280 customers in around 90 nations and have logged over 3.3 million flight hours since certification in 2004. Over 1,000 kits for all types of applications have been certified for the aircraft.