Agusta A109

The Agusta A109 is a helicopter manufactured by Agusta (now AgustaWestland) of Italy. It is a light-weight, twin engine, eight seat multipurpose helicopter.

The AgustaWestland A119 Koala is a single-engine development of the A109.

Development

In the late 1960s Agusta designed the A109A as a single-engined commercial helicopter. It was soon realised that a twin-engined design was needed and it was re-designed in 1967 with two Allison 250-C14 turboshaft engines. A projected military version (the A109B) was not developed and the company concentrated on the eight-seat version the A109C. The first of three prototypes first flew on the 4 August 1971. A long protracted development then followed and the first production aircraft was not completed until April 1975. Delivery of production machines started in early 1976. The aircraft soon became a success and was soon used for roles other than as a light transport including as an air ambulance and search-and-rescue. In 1975 Agusta returned again to the possibility of a military version and trials were carried out between 1976 and 1977 with five A109As fitted with Hughes Aircraft TOW missiles. Two military versions were then developed, one for light attack or close suppoort and another for naval operations.

Variants

Agusta A109 K2 of the Rega landed near Grindelwald

Agusta A109

• A109A: The first production model, powered by two Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20 turboshaft engines. It made its first flight on 4 August 1971. Initially, the A109 was marketed under the name of "Hirundo" (Latin for the swallow bird) but this was dropped within a few years.
  • A109A EOA: Military Version for the Italian Army.
  • A109A Mk II: Upgraded civilian version of the A109A.
  • A109A Mk.II MAX: Aeromedical evacuation version based on A109A Mk.II with extra wide cabin and access doors hinged top and bottom, rather than to one side
• A109B: Unbuilt military version.
• A109C: Eight-seat civil version, powered by two Rolls-Royce Model 250-C20R-1 turboshaft engines.
  • A109C MAX: Aeromedical evacuation version based on A109C with extra wide cabin and access doors hinged top and bottom, rather than to one side
• A109D: One prototype only

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-68A Stingray

• A109E Power: Upgraded civilian version, initially powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206C engines. Later the manufacturer introduced an option for two Turbomeca Arrius 2K1 engines to be used - both versions remain known as the A109E Power
  • A109E Power Elite: stretched cabin version of A109E Power
  • A109LUH: Military LUH "Light Utility Helicopter" variant based on the A109E Power. Operators include South African Air Force as well as Sweden and Malaysia
  • MH-68A Stingray: Eight A109E Powers used by the United States Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville (HITRON Jacksonville) as short range armed interdiction helicopters.
• A109K: Military version.
• A109K2: High altitude and high temperature operations with fixed wheels rather than the retractable wheels of most A109 variants. Typically used by police, search and rescue, and air ambulance operators
• A109M: Military version.
  • A109KM: Military version for high altitude and high temperature operations.
  • A109KN: Naval version.
  • A109CM: Standard military version.
  • A109GdiF: Version for Guardia di Finanza, the Italian Finance Guard
  • A109BA : Version created for the Belgian Army.
• A109S Grand: Lengthened upgraded civilian version with two Pratt & Whitney PW207 engines.

Agusta A119 Koala

• A119 Koala: Wide-body single-engine civilian version, powered by one Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B turboshaft engine.

CA109

Chinese version of A109,manufactured by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation under license.

Controversies

The sale of the Agusta A109 to the Belgian armed forces in 1988 gave rise to a bribing scandal when it was revealed the company had given the Belgian Socialists over 50 million francs to get the sale. This scandal led to the resignation and conviction of NATO Secretary General Willy Claes.

Operators

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South African Air Force A109LUH

Military

• Argentina (Argentine Army) [1]
• Australia (RAN)[2]
• Belgium
• Benin
• Chile (Carabineros de Chile)
• Ghana
• Italy
• Malaysia (Malaysian Army)
• Mexico
• Paraguay
• Peru
• South Africa
• Sweden
• United Kingdom - Army Air Corps, Empire Test Pilots School, Royal Air Force
• United States (USCG)
• Venezuela

Specifications (Agusta A109 Power - Civilian version)

Trivia

Fuselages of A109 are made by PZL Świdnik. In 2006 the 500th fuselage was delivered by this manufacturer.