Editing Leonardo AW609 (section)

===Origins and program changes===
[[File:BA609 01.jpg|thumb|An AW609 performing a flight display while in helicopter mode at the [[Paris Air Show]], 2007]]

The BA609 drew on experience gained from Bell's earlier experimental tiltrotor, the [[Bell XV-15|XV-15]].<ref name="nasaXv15">{{cite book |url=https://history.nasa.gov/monograph17.pdf |title=The History of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft |publisher=NASA |first1=Martin D. |last1=Maisel |first2=Demo J. |last2=Giulianetti |first3=Daniel C. |last3=Dugan |series=Monographs in Aerospace History No. 17 |year=2000 |isbn=0-16-050276-4 |id=NASA SP-2000-4517}}</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112936/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55075488.html XV-15 Completes Demonstration On Coast Guard Cutter]" ''Helicopter News'' </ref> In 1996, Bell and Boeing formed a partnership to develop a civil tiltrotor aircraft. In March 1998, Boeing pulled out of the project. In September 1998, Agusta became a partner in the development program.<ref name="nasaXv15"/> This led to the establishment of the [[Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company]] (BAAC), a joint venture between [[Bell Helicopter]] and [[AgustaWestland]], to develop and manufacture the aircraft, which was named Bell-Agusta AB-609; the two companies simultaneously worked on a conventional medium helicopter project (the [[AgustaWestland AW139|Agusta-Bell AB139]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-23 |title=The AB139: Filling The Market Gap - Rotor & Wing International |url=https://www.rotorandwing.com/2005/05/01/the-ab139-filling-the-market-gap/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |archive-date=23 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023200148/https://www.rotorandwing.com/2005/05/01/the-ab139-filling-the-market-gap/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Frawley Civil">{{cite book |title=The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003–2004 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |first=Gerard |last=Frawley |page=48 |year=2003 |isbn=1-875671-58-7}}</ref> 

The Italian government subsidized Agusta's development of a military tiltrotor, and as the AW609 has civilian aspects, the [[European Commission]] requires AgustaWestland to pay back progressive amounts per aircraft to the Italian state to avoid a distortion of competition.<ref>{{Cite news |title=State aid: Commission agrees with Italy amount of subsidies Augusta Westland needs to reimburse for projects that have civilian uses |newspaper=States News Service |url-access= |access-date=9 March 2015 |date= |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-246262838.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402194341/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-246262838.html|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> {{asof|2015}}, Bell continues to perform contract work on the AW609 program, while considering commercial potential for the bigger [[Bell V-280 Valor|V-280 tiltrotor]], where military production may reach [[Mass production|larger numbers]] and hence reduce [[unit cost]].<ref>Black, Thomas. "[http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article35969325.html Bell Helicopter exploring civilian market for new tilt-rotor aircraft]" [https://web.archive.org/web/20150922124321/http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article35969325.html Archive]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/eb32b40a-5466-11e4-84c6-00144feab7de.html |title=Helicopter market eyes civilian tilt-rotor models |work=Financial Times |date=20 October 2014 |access-date=30 October 2015}}</ref><!--Bell out, then in on TR. Possible link to Boeing weapon restrictions. AW609 is possibly risk reduction for V-280--> In 2016, Bell preferred the 609 for commercial applications and kept the V-280 for military use only. Bell stated that conventional helicopters were not part of Bell's future for military customers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heli-expo-bell-rules-out-future-conventional-milita-422537/ |title=HELI-EXPO: Bell rules out future conventional military helicopter developments |work=Flightglobal.com |access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref>

The aircraft's purpose is to take off and land vertically, but fly faster than a helicopter.{{sfn|Venanzi|Wells|2013|p=5}} Over 45 different aircraft <!-- non-helicopters --> have flown proving VTOL and STOL capabilities, of which the V-22, [[Harrier jump jet|Harrier "jump jet" family]], [[Yakovlev Yak-38]] and [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]] jets have proceeded to production.{{sfn|Venanzi|Wells|2013|p=37}}<ref name=osb3/> By 2008, Bell had estimated that [[very light jet]]s and large offshore helicopters like the [[Sikorsky S-92]] had reduced the potential market for tiltrotors.<ref>{{Cite news |first=James T. |last=McKenna |title=Are the S-92 and Light Jets Shrinking the BA609 Market? |newspaper=Rotor & Wing |url-access= |date=15 March 2008 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-177035787.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151351/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-177035787.html|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> Also in 2008, it was reported that limited funding of the program by both Bell and AgustaWestland had resulted in slow flight testing progress.<ref name=ain2011-06-30/><ref name=shep2011-03/>

In September 2009, AgustaWestland chief executive Giuseppe Orsi said that corporate parent [[Finmeccanica]] had authorised buying Bell Helicopter out of the program to speed it up,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/agustawestland-looks-to-take-full-control-of-ba609-civil-tiltrotor-programme-332427/ |title=AgustaWestland looks to take full control of BA609 civil tiltrotor programme |work=Flight International |via=FlightGlobal.com |first=Luca |last=Peruzzi |date=21 September 2009 |access-date=14 February 2012}}</ref> as Bell was dissatisfied with the commercial prospects<ref name=shep2011-11>{{cite news |url=http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/agustawestland-and-bell-complete-609-transaction/ |title=AgustaWestland and Bell complete 609 transaction |work=Shephard Media |first=Tony |last=Skinner |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref> and wanted to spend the resources on other programs.<ref name=ain2011-06-30/> In 2013 AgustaWestland estimated a market of 700 aircraft over 20 years.<ref name="ain 2013"/><!--move or copy to ==Operational history== ?--> By 2011, negotiations centred on the full transfer of technologies shared with the V-22,<ref name=shep2011-03>{{cite news |url=http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/heli-expo-2011-agustawestland-to-take-over-ba609-tiltrotor-project/8496/ |title=Heli-Expo 2011: AgustaWestland to take over BA609 tiltrotor project |work=Shephard Media |first=Tony |last=Osborne |date=5 March 2011 |access-date=14 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bell-agustawestland-disagree-on-future-of-ba609-partnership-354196/ |title=Bell, AgustaWestland disagree on future of BA609 partnership |work=Flight International |via= FlightGlobal.com |first=Stephen |last=Trimble |date=14 March 2011 |access-date=14 February 2012}}</ref> however Bell stated that no technology was shared with the V-22.<ref name=ain2011-06-30>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Huber |url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2011-06-30/agustawestland-buys-bells-stake-ba609-tiltrotor |title=AgustaWestland Buys Bell's Stake in BA609 Tiltrotor |work=Aviation International News |date=30 June 2011 |access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> At the 2011 Paris Air Show, AgustaWestland stated that it will assume full ownership of the programme, redesignating the aircraft as "AW609", and that [[Bell Helicopter]] will remain in the role of component design and certification.<ref name="aw201106">{{cite press release |url=http://www.agustawestland.com/news/agustawestland-takes-full-ownership-ba609-programme |title=AgustaWestland Takes Full Ownership of the BA609 Programme |publisher=AgustaWestland |date=21 June 2011 |access-date=21 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627061713/http://www.agustawestland.com/news/agustawestland-takes-full-ownership-ba609-programme |archive-date=27 June 2011 }}</ref> In November 2011, the exchange of ownership was completed, following the granting of regulatory approval<ref name=Wynbrandt/> - media estimated that the transfer happened at little cost.<ref name=ain2012-01-03>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Huber |url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2012-01-03/finmeccanica-slide-could-impact-new-agustawestland-programs |title=Finmeccanica Slide Could Impact New AgustaWestland Programs |work=Aviation International News |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=11 April 2015}}</ref>