As reported, on August 12, 2022, the first prototype of a promising AW249 combat helicopter created in the interests of the Italian armed forces (experimental military number CSX82069) made its first flight at Leonardo Helicopters (a division of the Italian company Leonardo) in Vergata (Italy). The first flight lasted about 30 minutes and included not only hovering, but also slow forward and sideways movement. Since August 12, it is reported that the first AW249 prototype has already made seven flights.
The first prototype of the Italian advanced combat helicopter Leonardo AW249 (experimental military number CSX82069) in the first flight. Vergate (Italy),12.08.2022 (c) www.airdatanews.com It is also reported that the second flight prototype AW249 is at the final stage of assembly in Verjat and should be presented in September.
Leonardo has not yet announced the start of flight tests of the AW249.
Recall that Leonardo (the former Finmeccanica group) in January 2017 signed a contract with the Italian Ministry of Defense to create a new combat helicopter under the NEES program (Nuovo Elicottero da Esplorazione e Scorta) for the Italian army aviation, which later received the designation AW249. In October 2016, the Italian parliament approved the allocation of 487.06 million euros for the NEES program for the period up to 2025, and, apparently, a contract with Leonardo was signed for this amount.
The new helicopter is intended to replace the AgustaWestland (Leonardo) AW129 (A129) Mangusta combat helicopters in the Italian army aviation, which are subject to decommissioning starting from 2025 (now the Italian army has 32 AW129D helicopters in linear units, and 16 AW129C helicopters in training). By this time, Leonardo planned to complete the contracted R&D for the creation of a new helicopter, including the construction and testing of one prototype, three pre-production and one "first production" helicopter, but by now the program is about two years behind. Previously, the Italian Ministry of Defense planned to purchase 45-48 serial new AW249 combat helicopters starting from 2025 to 2035. The AW249 retains the layout and appearance of the AW129 helicopter, but is a larger machine - although detailed characteristics have not yet been disclosed, but the maximum take-off weight of the AW249 is estimated at 7.5-8 tons, and the payload weight is 1800-2000 kg, against 4.6 tons of take-off weight and 500 kg of combat load in the AW129D.
The AW249 helicopter is equipped with two GE Aviation CT7-8E6 (T700) turboshaft engines with a capacity of 2500 hp (1860 kW), the main gearbox and main rotor are borrowed from the AW149 multipurpose helicopter. A cruising speed of 213 to 259 km/h and a flight duration of three hours are declared. The fuselage of the helicopter is made with elements of low visibility and with increased impact resistance, the AW249 is also initially designed to meet the requirements of ship-based support.
The armament and equipment of the AW249 helicopter, already installed on the first prototype, are actually borrowed from the upgraded AW129D helicopter and include a 24-hour Rafael Toplite III electron-optical system, a 20-mm Leonardo (OTO Melara) TM197B triple-barreled cannon on the nose turret and Rafael Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles. The armament is placed on six external suspension nodes under the short wings and should also include guided missiles Stinger, Brimstone and APKWS. Pilots will have helmet sights. The helicopter's onboard defense system will include the Leonardo MWS multi-aperture infrared warning system for approaching missiles, the Elettronica ELT-162 radar radiation warning receiver and the Elettronica ELT/577 Quiris directional infrared counteraction system. The AW249 helicopter should be equipped with data reception and transmission complexes, including Link 16 equipment and UAV interaction and control systems.
The first prototype of the Italian advanced combat helicopter Leonardo AW249 (experimental military number CSX82069) in the first flight. Vergate (Italy),12.08.2022 (c) www.airdatanews.com and theaviationist.com
