Global InformationLeonardo AW609 information
| AW609 | |
|---|---|
| |
| An AW609 in aeroplane mode at the 2007 Paris Air Show | |
| Role | VTOL corporate transport |
| National origin | United States / Italy |
| Manufacturer | Bell/Agusta Aerospace AgustaWestland Leonardo S.p.A. |
| First flight | 7 March 2003 |
| Introduction | Late 2020s (expected)[1] |
| Status | Final Certification Testing |
The Leonardo AW609, formerly the AgustaWestland AW609, and originally the Bell/Agusta BA609, is a twin-engined tiltrotor VTOL aircraft with an overall configuration similar to that of 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. It has progressed from a concept in the late 1990s, to development and testing, and is working towards certification in the 2020s.
When the project started it was a joint venture between Boeing, Bell, and Augusta to capitalize on V-22 Osprey development, and bring a commercial civilian tilt-rotor to market. The other part of this project lead to the Huey replacement the AB139. During the long development, Augusta became AugustaWestland, and Leonardo took main responsibility for the project.
- ^ "Leonardo focusing on first delivery of AW609 as it enters mass production".