Italian manufacturer Leonardo announced at Avalon that it will deliver six more AW139s into Australia next year.
The aircraft are destined for SAR/HEMS operations with Babcock, CQ Rescue and StarFlight Australia, with two helicopters going to each operator.
Babcock will operate their two new AW139 platforms on a range of HEMS, Search and Rescue and Inter-Hospital Patient Transport missions.
Babcock’s Managing Director Aviation and Critical Services Peter Newington said expanding Babcock’s fleet of AW139s will provide enhanced capability. “
"The AW139 aircraft provides increased speed range and operational capability which is essential for the vast distance and challenging terrains across Australia," he said.
The Babcock aircraft will feature a wide range of tailored equipment including four-axis Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS), autopilot with hover mode and TCAS II. The new order will bring the total Babcock AW139 fleet to nine, as they already operate seven AW139s in Australia on behalf of Air Ambulance Victoria and RACQ CapRescue.
The two AW139 platforms ordered by CQ Rescue will be used in the Mackay area of Central Queensland to perform both on-shore and off-shore EMS/SAR missions day and night and in most weather conditions.
“The AW139 is one of the most reliable platforms in the industry," said CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee. "The aeromedical service we deliver and type of missions we complete are unique, being very time consuming and over long distances.
"The AW139s will deliver enormous benefits to our service including new generation avionics, superior performance, proven technology, and exceptional safety features.
“This incredible acquisition of two state-of-the-art aircraft is only possible because of the generous support we receive from our community, our corporate supporters and the Queensland Government."
CQ Rescue believes the two new AW139s will fly twice as far and with a 30% increase in mission speed compared to previous aircraft, reaching remote and rural communities faster than ever before.
StarFlight Australia's new helicopters will also be used on EMS/SAR missions both onshore and offshore. This new order will bring the total of AW139s operated by the StarFlight and LifeFlight groups to 15, nine of which are dedicated to EMS/SAR missions.
StarFlight CEO and Director, Ashley van de Velde, said: “StarFlight Australia is pleased to have finalised the purchase of two new AW139 helicopters which will be utilised for future work. We already operate a number of these aircraft in our fleet and are constantly impressed with their reliability, quality, and serviceability.
"The features, technology, size, and all-round advanced capabilities [that] the AW139s offer, make these aircraft ideal for our requirements. Their versatility and readiness for various configurations also aid us in delivering tailor-made aviation solutions to our clients.”
Leonardo's AW139 is the dominant platform for HEMS/SAR and law enforcement missions in Australia. There are more than 50 on the Australian register, most of which are operated on HEMS/SAR or offshore missions.