Bell/Agusta has announced that its AB139 programme is on time and on budget. Some 78 per cent of the technical designs, manufacturing process and tooling assembly has been completed as planned, the company says. The AB139 was conceived during the early 1990s when market analysis was undertaken to identify a potential market for a new medium twin helicopter. The helicopter's objectives were lower operating costs and higher productivity, category "A" performance without payload loss, reliability, and design standards to meet all new regulatory and operational requirements. \rThe helicopter will carry fifteen passengers at a maximum speed of 296 km/h up to a range of 730 km. It is said to be larger, more powerful and more expensive than the Bell 412, and it is unlikely that it will be a direct replacement for the older helicopter. Three pre-production aircraft will be produced, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2002. The programme is being undertaken in collaboration with international risk-sharing partners including GKN Westland in the UK, PZL Swidnik of Poland, and Liebherr of Germany. The AB139 will be produced in Texas and Italy, alongside the BA609.