AgustaWestland, Russian Helicopters Launch Light Single Program

AgustaWestland and Russian Helicopters here have signed a “preliminary agreement” to jointly develop a new 2.5-metric-ton class (5,500 pounds) single-engine helicopter. Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland, and Russian Helicopters CEO Dmitry Petrov inked the document. The program will be shared on a 50/50 basis.

“Having jointly established Helivert to assemble the AW139 in Russia, this program marks the next step,” Spagnolini commented. The aircraft will be smaller, and so cheaper, than the existing AW119ke Koala. It will compete head-to-head with the Eurocopter EC130 T2.

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