AW149 for UK Defense
It appears that the selection for the United Kingdom’s new multirole medium transport helicopter, New Medium Helicopter (NHM), has concluded with Leonardo’s AW149 as the preferred choice. This news is unofficial but comes from sources close to the dynamics of the UK’s Ministry of Defense (MoD). [
](https://ehk8n49c9qf.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AW149-introB.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1) The program had a long and bumpy journey, repeatedly downgraded and even on the brink of cancellation. The New Medium Helicopter program originally planned to purchase up to 44 new medium transport helicopters to replace the dated Puma and Bell 212/412 as well as Dauphin in service at home and in British bases abroad with the Armed Forces in London. With the NMH, the British Defense aimed to rationalize existing multiple rotary wing requirements into a single platform type, maximizing commonality to improve operational efficiency and flexibility. But reality unfolded differently. In fact, to replace the Puma HC2 helicopters in service with the 84th Squadron of the RAF in Cyprus and with the 667th Squadron of the Army Air Corps in the Sultanate of Brunei, the UK MoD decided to purchase six Airbus H145 or Jupiter HC Mk2. The competition initially saw the participation of Airbus (H175M), Leonardo (AW149), and Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky (S-70M Black Hawk), but during the last year Airbus and Lockheed Martin dropped out, leaving Leonardo as the sole contender. Until today the UK MoD has been hesitant, arguing the need to give priority to other programs, but maintaining that a decision was imminent. Since the beginning of the selection procedure, Leonardo has proposed the production of these helicopters entrusted to its Yeovil establishments that are expected to soon receive a new order from Norway for the equipment of AW101 in a naval version to operate on board the new Type 26 frigates ordered by the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Contracts Obtained by AW149
The AW149 officially received orders from Thailand (5 helicopters), Egypt (24 units), Malaysia (leasing contract for 12 AW149), North Macedonia (4 helicopters), and Poland (32 units ordered and partly equipped on-site). The AW149 is an eight-nine tonne class helicopter, with a two-man crew and can transport 18 passengers or 12 fully equipped soldiers. Alternatively, it can carry up to 2,720 kg of external harness cargo. The helicopter can be equipped with ballistic protection and self-protection systems (RWR, chaff/flare, optional DIRCM), digital avionics with a glass cockpit, and an advanced mission system compatible with night vision goggles (NVG) that enables it to fly in adverse weather conditions. Equipped with two CT7-2E1 turboprop engines from General Electric (GE) with digital FADEC, the AW149 reaches a maximum speed of 310 km/h, a cruising speed of 278 km/h, a range of 800 km and a four-hour autonomy. An official statement from the UK MoD and Leonardo is now awaited.
