Maryland State Police Executes Options for Three AW139s

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Maryland State Police Aviation Command has executed options under their current contract for three additional AW139 medium twin helicopters.

These aircraft will be used for emergency medical, search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security missions. This order follows an initial contract for six AW139s placed in 2010.

The new AW139s for Maryland State Police feature the most spacious cabin available on the market with a custom designed Medevac interior. The AW139 cabin is 57% larger than the Dauphin helicopters which they are replacing. The initial six Maryland State Police AW139s are in production at the AgustaWestland plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first helicopters will be delivered to Maryland State Police in the second half of 2012, ahead of the currently contracted delivery schedule.

“The AgustaWestland team in Philadelphia is proudly building the next generation helicopters for the Maryland State Police. This order for three additional AW139 helicopters further demonstrates the customers’ commitment to our company and our product,” said Robert Brant, Vice President Sales and Marketing.

“With significant cost savings over the lifecycle of the program, the new AW139 fleet is a great investment for the State of Maryland.”

Maryland State Police Aviation Command will benefit from the expanded capability afforded by the AW139 platform to more fully meet their emergency medical, search and rescue, law enforcement and homeland security missions.

The AW139 is a state of the art helicopter successfully performing multi-mission roles throughout North America for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Los Angeles Fire Department, New Jersey State Police and other major aero medical and search and rescue operators in North America. The safety, economy, performance and capabilities of the AW139 make it the world’s best selling aircraft in its class.

AgustaWestland continues to expand its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based production facility. A leading local employer, the Philadelphia facility is home to the worldwide production of the AW119Ke light single-engine platform, in addition to production of the medium-twin AW139 and final completions of the AW109 Power and GrandNew light-twin platforms. With convenient roll-on/roll-off services and close proximity to its Philadelphia assembly plant, AgustaWestland routinely ships and receives assembled helicopters and helicopter components through the Port of Baltimore’s Dundalk Marine Terminal. AgustaWestland’s business through the Port of Baltimore generates a direct economic impact for the State of Maryland.


AgustaWestland:

AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian helicopter company owned by Italy’s Finmeccanica, is a total capability provider in the vertical lift market.

Through its rotorcraft systems design, development, production and integration capabilities, its experience in the training business and its customer focused Integrated Operational Support solutions, the Company delivers unrivalled mission capability to military and commercial operators around the world.

This expertise, backed by technological excellence and innovation, makes the Company a leader in a number of the world’s most important helicopter markets offering the widest range of advanced rotorcraft available for both commercial and military applications.

AgustaWestland operates globally in the vertical lift market through a number of joint ventures and collaborative programmes with major European and American helicopter primes where the company has leading or primary roles. There are also partnerships with a number of other leading aerospace and defence companies to deliver mutually beneficial programmes. This network of alliances strengthens the Company’s product range, increases its global reach, and enhances business opportunities.


Source: AgustaWestland News - 19 July 2012

Photo: Maryland State Police AgustaWestland AW139 Helicopter (Photo by AgustaWestland)

(7/19/2012)