AgustaWestland’s two new helos fly
AgustaWestland last week achieved two significant milestones, with the first flights of two new military helicopter designs on consecutive days.

AgustaWestland last week achieved two significant milestones, with the first flights of two new military helicopter designs on consecutive days. First to fly was the AW159 Lynx Wildcat, which lifted off on Thursday at Yeovil in the UK. The aircraft performed “as expected” in general handling checks, according to chief test pilot Donald Maclaine.

It was followed on Friday by the AW149, which flew from the company’s Vergiate factory in Italy. The plant’s chief test pilot, Giuseppe Lo Coco, was at the controls for the 20-minute maiden flight that checked out general handling and basic systems. Coming shortly after the September 28 flight debut of the T129 (the Turkish version of the AW129 attack helicopter), the AW149 and AW159 first flights capped a successful fall for AgustaWestland.

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