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BELL AND AGUSTA CO-OPERATE ON 609 AND AB139

Despite early advances by Eurocopter, Agusta seems to have its own ideas about integrating the European helicopter industry. After having undergone negotiations for closer co-operation with GKN Westland in Great Britain in the spring of this year, the founding of a joint company with its long standing partner Bell Helicopter was announced in Farnborough. The US manufacturer has now a foot in the door regarding the further consolidation of this sector in Europe.

The joint venture, in which Bell has a 55 per cent stake, still has to receive the blessing of the mother companies Textron and Finmeccanica. To start with its task is the co-ordination of design, manufacture and marketing of the tilt rotor 609 (now also known as the BA609) and the six ton AB139 helicopter.

After Boeing's exit, Bell thus succeeded in securing a competent partner, who is prepared to pay, for its 609 program. It is expected that the Italians will provide the gear system, tail and the ailerons. Apart from this the BA609s intended for the European market and "other parts of the world" will undergo final assembly by Agusta. Up to now almost 70 orders have been placed by 40 customers. 15 orders were placed from European countries. First deliveries are expected for the year 2002.

Agusta plans to have its AB139, for which work has now started officially, ready for serial production at about the same time. The helicopter will have a conventional design with five blade main and four blade tail rotor, which are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turbines with 1,680 shp (1,250 kW) take-off power.

The cabin, which is 2.7 meters long, two meters wide and 1.42 meters high will accomodate 15 passengers. As far as performance is concerned, the speed will be 296 km/h and the craft will have a range of 730 km. Complying with CAT-A regulations the helicopter will be able to take off safely at heights of 1,000 meters with a maximum take-off mass of 6,000 kg.

According to Agusta, Bell, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Honeywell (Primus Epic Avionik), GKN Westland, PZL Swidnik, Liebherr and Kawasaki are involved as partners at their own cost. The AB139's final assembly will take place in Italy as well as North America, (probably in the Bell factory at Mirabel). It is heavier and more expensive than the 412 model and it is likely that it will not be a direct substitution for the older helicopter.

From page 25 of FLUG REVUE 11/98