AgustaWestland AW609

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW609

he AgustaWestland AW609, formerly the Bell/Agusta BA609, is a twin-engined
tiltrotor VTOL aircraft with a configuration similar to the Bell Boeing V-22
Osprey. It is capable of landing vertically like a helicopter while having a
range and speed in excess of conventional rotorcraft. The AW609 is aimed at the
civil aviation market, in particular VIP customers and offshore oil and gas
operators.

The aircraft's purpose is to take off and land vertically, but fly faster than a
helicopter. Over 45 different aircraft have flown proving VTOL and STOL
capabilities, of which the V-22, Harrier, Yak-38 and F-35 jets have proceeded to
production. By 2008, Bell had estimated that very light jets and large offshore
helicopters like the Sikorsky S-92 had reduced the potential market for
tiltrotors. Also in 2008, it was reported that limited funding of the program by
both Bell and AgustaWestland had resulted in slow flight testing progress.

The AW609 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A turboshaft
engines, which each drive a three-bladed proprotor. These engines possess
roughly twice the horsepower of the similarly sized AgustaWestland AW169
helicopter. Both of the engine and proprotor pairs are mounted on a load-bearing
rotatable pylon at the wing's ends, allowing the proprotors to be positioned at
various angles. In helicopter mode, the proprotors can be positioned between a
75- and 95-degree angle from the horizontal, with 87 degrees being the typical
selection for hovering vertically. In airplane mode, the proprotors are rotated
forward and locked in position at a zero-degree angle, spinning at 84% RPM. The
flight control software reportedly handles much of the complexity of the
transitioning between helicopter and airplane modes; automated systems also
serve to guide pilots to the correct tilt angle and air speed settings.


Role
VTOL corporate transport

National origin
United States / Italy

Manufacturer
Bell/Agusta Aerospace
AgustaWestland
Leonardo

First flight
6 March 2003

Introduction
expected 2019

Status
Under development / flight testing

Bell/Agusta aimed the aircraft "at the government and military markets". Another
key market for the AW609 has been the expansion of offshore oil and gas
extraction operations, which requires aircraft capable of the traversing the
increasing distances involved. In 2001, Bell estimated a market for 1,000
aircraft. Bell/Agusta stated in 2007 that they intend for the BA609 to compete
with corporate business jets and helicopters, and that the BA609 would be of
interest to any operator that has a mixed fleet of fixed wing and rotary wing
aircraft. In 2004, Lt. Gen. Michael Hough, USMC deputy commandant for aviation,
requested that Bell conduct studies into arming the BA609, potentially to act as
an escort for V-22s. However, AgustaWestland's deal with Bell for taking over
the BA609 program precludes the aircraft from carrying arms.

Michael Bloomberg, the U.S. billionaire businessman and politician, is "near the
top" of the list of buyers who have put a deposit down on the AW609 tiltrotor
aircraft. In February 2015, the Italian Army released a white paper documenting
its vision of future procurement efforts, it included the intention to procure a
force of tiltrotor aircraft for rapid troop-transport and medical evacuation
duties; it has been speculated in the media that the AW609 is a likely candidate
for the requirement. On 10 November 2015, United Arab Emirates selected a search
and rescue variant of the AW609, ordering three with an option for three more.

Specifications (BA609)

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Capacity: 6 to 9 passengers or 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) payload
Length: 13.4 m (44 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in) (distance between prop-rotor centres)
Width: 18.3 m (60 ft 0 in) rotors turning
Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) to top of fin
Empty weight: 4,765 kg (10,505 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 7,620 kg (16,799 lb)
Cabin height: 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m)
Cabin width: 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m)
Cabin length: 13 ft 5 in (4.09 m)

Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A turbo-shaft engines, 1,447 kW
(1,940 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 2× 7.9 m (25 ft 11 in)
Main rotor area: 49 m2 (530 sq ft) each - 3-bladed prop-rotors

Performance
Maximum speed: 509 km/h; 316 mph (275 kn)
Cruise speed: 509 km/h (316 mph; 275 kn) maximum
Range: 1,389 km (863 mi; 750 nmi) normal fuel + 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) payload at
463 km/h (288 mph; 250 kn)
Ferry range: 1,852 km (1,151 mi; 1,000 nmi)
Endurance: 3 hours with normal fuel
Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
Hover Ceiling out of Ground Effect (HOGE): 1,525 m (5,003 ft)
g limits: +3.1 -1
Rate of climb: 7.616 m/s (1,499.2 ft/min) at sea level
Disk loading: 77.4 kg/m2 (15.9 lb/sq ft) max

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VOR
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ILS
ADF
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GPS
TCAS
FDR
3x LCD displays with standby instruments
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