Sasemar, the Spanish Marine Safety Agency, has ordered an additional two AW139s for search and rescue (SAR). The agency signed an initial contract for three AW139s in February 2006.

"The AW139s will be used for SAR and water pollution detection missions," Sasemar says. They will be equipped with rescue hoist, Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), a search/weather radar, emergency flotation system and a four-axis autopilot with SAR modes.

Sasemar says it regards the AW139 as a new generation SAR medium twin-turbine helicopter. "The AW139 is capable of carrying up to 15 passengers or six stretchers with four medical attendants at the highest speed, in the most spacious cabin and with an attractive power reserve," it adds.

The agency cites the roomy unobstructed cabin and flat floor and ceiling that facilitate conversion between different configurations. Other attractions include the Pratt & Whitney turbines with FADEC together and the five blade main rotor. "There is an excellent maximum cruise speed even in demanding hot and high conditions at all weights, with a favourable power to weight ratio," says Sasemar.

Sasemar undertakes extended search patrols and values good capa-bility if one engine is ever inoperable. Sasemar says it wants helicopters with advanced avionics and superior manoeuvrability that reduce pilot workload and enable crew to concentrate on rescue.

The AW139 is equipped with Honeywell Primus Epic fully integrated avionics, a four axis digital AFCS and large flat panel colour displays in the cockpit. Agusta says orders for more than 280 helicopters have been placed by more than 80 commercial, government and military customers from over 30 countries.