Global InformationLeonardo Helicopters AW249 information
| AW249 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Leonardo AW249 artist impression | |
| Role | Attack helicopter |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo |
| First flight | 12 August 2022 |
| Status | Under development |
The Leonardo Helicopters AW249 Fenice (English: Phoenix) is an attack helicopter project under development by the Italian firm Leonardo[1]
Development of the AW249 formally started upon receipt of a €487 million contract from the Italian Army as a replacement for the Agusta A129 Mangusta. It is to be larger, more survivable, and have greater autonomy than the Mangusta, incorporating stealth technologies and mission systems to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)s. Numerous mature technologies will also be incorporated, such as the OTO Melara TM197B 20 mm chin-mounted cannon, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Toplite targeting system and Spike missile, it is intended for the AW249 to have lower operating costs than the preceding Mangusta. Leonardo is actively seeking partners to collaborate on the AW249; a letter of intent on this matter was signed with the Polish Armaments Group during July 2018.
The maiden flight of the AW249 was originally scheduled to take place during 2020, but flew for the first time on 12 August 2022 from the company’s plant in Vergiate. There are to be a single prototype and three pre-serial production rotorcraft built ahead of quantity production AW249s. As per the original timetable released in 2017, the AW249 was to be in service by 2025 to enable the retirement of the Mangusta to commence.
- ^ Perry, Dominic (22 March 2023). "Leonardo flies AW249 attack helicopter pair as second Fenice prototype takes off". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023.