AgustaWestland Signs Key Supplier Agreements For The AW609 TiltRotor Programme

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed agreements with three key suppliers for its AW609 TiltRotor programme.

These three major agreements form part of a succession of contracts signed with AW609 TiltRotor component suppliers since AgustaWestland acquired the tiltrotor programme in November 2011. These latest agreements signed with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems are a major milestone in the programme for development and certification of the AW609 TiltRotor. AgustaWestland remains committed to certification of the AW609 TiltRotor through FAA and EASA within the first half of 2016 with deliveries immediately thereafter. Pratt & Whitney Canada will provide an upgraded version of the PT6 engine for the AW609 TiltRotor which will include the latest in technological developments and provide the aircraft with increased performance capabilities as well as the latest safety enhancements.

"Using the legendary PT6 engine as its base, P&WC has built a dependable and highly flexible family of turboshaft engines, designed to meet our customers' power requirements," confirmed Richard Dussault, Vice President, Marketing, P&WC. "Innovation, dependability and sound operating economics are in the PT6’s DNA." Rockwell Collins will provide a fully integrated cockpit for the AW609 TiltRotor based on its Pro Line Fusion system, allowing AgustaWestland to adopt the very latest in commercial aircraft cockpit technologies, including 14 inch (35.5 cm) touch screen displays, integrated flight management systems with satellite based navigation, synthetic and enhanced vision systems and Head-Up-Display interfaces; all of which will be integrated with the aircraft’s own avionics management systems. This cockpit suite will provide the crew with increased situational awareness and will reduce pilot workload to permit single pilot IFR operations of the AW609 TiltRotor.

BAE Systems will provide an upgraded Flight Control Computer at the heart of the AW609 TiltRotor’s triple redundant fully digital fly-by-wire flight control system. The computer, to receive TSO certification in 2014, will include not only the AgustaWestland control laws and flight control software but also the digital engine control system. The vendor base of the AW609 TiltRotor is now being renewed, providing opportunities for cost reduction initiatives, upgrades and improvements. AgustaWestland is therefore holding a Presentation to Key Suppliers on the 13th July 2012 at the home of the AW609 TiltRotor in Cascina Costa, Italy where over 40 existing and potential new suppliers will be receive an update on the certification program and view the development aircraft. The AW609 TiltRotor programme is now being managed by a single Integrated Development Team, based in Cascina Costa, Italy. The AgustaWestland US subsidiary in Arlington, Texas (AgustaWestland Tilt-Rotor Company) is, since February 2012, the Type applicant for the AW609 TiltRotor and is now fully operational with the first prototype, continuing with envelope expansion activities.


Source: AgustaWestland News - 11 July 2012

Photo: Italian AgustaWestland’s AW609 TiltRotor Programme (Photo by AgustaWestland)

(11.07.2012)