Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox aircraft
The Leonardo AW609, formerly the AgustaWestland AW609, and originally the Bell-Agusta BA609, is a twin-engined tiltrotor VTOL aircraft with an overall configuration similar to that of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. It is capable of landing vertically like a helicopter while having a range and speed in excess of conventional rotorcraft. The AW609 is aimed at the civil aviation market, in particular VIP customers and offshore oil and gas operators. It has progressed from a concept in the late 1990s, to development and testing, and is working towards certification in the 2020s.
DevelopmentEdit
Origins and program changesEdit
The BA609 drew on experience gained from Bell's earlier experimental tiltrotor, the XV-15.<ref name="nasaXv15">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>"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 Agusta-Bell AB139).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Frawley Civil">Template:Cite book</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>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Asof, Bell continues to perform contract work on the AW609 program, while considering commercial potential for the bigger V-280 tiltrotor, where military production may reach larger numbers and hence reduce unit cost.<ref>Black, Thomas. "Bell Helicopter exploring civilian market for new tilt-rotor aircraft" Archive</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The aircraft's purpose is to take off and land vertically, but fly faster than a helicopter.Template:Sfn Over 45 different aircraft have flown proving VTOL and STOL capabilities, of which the V-22, Harrier "jump jet" family, Yakovlev Yak-38 and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets have proceeded to production.Template:Sfn<ref name=osb3/> By 2008, Bell had estimated that very light jets and large offshore helicopters like the Sikorsky S-92 had reduced the potential market for tiltrotors.<ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref> as Bell was dissatisfied with the commercial prospects<ref name=shep2011-11>Template:Cite news</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"/> By 2011, negotiations centred on the full transfer of technologies shared with the V-22,<ref name=shep2011-03>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however Bell stated that no technology was shared with the V-22.<ref name=ain2011-06-30>Template:Cite news</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">Template:Cite press release</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>Template:Cite news</ref>
TestingEdit
On 6 December 2002, the first ground tests of the BA609 prototype began. The first flight took place on 7 March 2003 in Arlington, Texas, flown by test pilots Roy Hopkins and Dwayne Williams.<ref>Template:Cite conference</ref> After 14 hours of helicopter-mode flight testing, the prototype was moved to a ground testing rig to study the operational effects of the conversion modes.<ref name="AHS March 2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following the completion of ground-based testing, on 3 June 2005 the prototype resumed flight testing, focusing on the expansion of its flight envelope.<ref name="AHS June 2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 22 July 2005, the first conversion from helicopter to aeroplane mode while in flight took place.<ref name="AHS July 2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
By October 2008, 365 flight-hours had been logged by two prototype aircraft.<ref name="ain081007">Template:Cite news</ref> The AW609 demonstrated a safe dual-engine failure in normal cruise flight on 15 May 2009.Template:Sfn By February 2012, this had risen to 650 hours, and it was reported that 85 per cent of the AW609's flight envelope had been explored.<ref name=Wynbrandt>Template:Cite news</ref> Test pilot Paul Edwards has stated that the AW609 was not susceptible to the vortex ring state phenomena, naturally slipping out of the vortex on its own since both rotors will not simultaneously enter the vortex ring state.<ref name="flglobal20150916">Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2011, AgustaWestland began construction of a third prototype. That prototype was still not fully assembled by February 2015. The company plans to conduct test flights in Italy in the summer of 2015. AgustaWestland planned to then disassemble it and ship it to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to prepare it for tests of the de-icing system in Minnesota. A fourth prototype, to be used in the development and testing of new avionics and control systems, was also underway.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> By November 2012, over 700 flight hours had been accumulated by the two operational prototypes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In January 2014, it was reported that in excess of 850 flying hours had been accumulated by the two prototypes. Accumulated flight data is used to further develop representative simulators, which are in turn being used to support the development program.<ref name=sim1>Template:Cite news</ref>
By March 2015, the two prototype aircraft had accumulated 1,200 hours, of about 2,000 hours necessary for certification.<ref name="ain2015-03-03"/> Two more aircraft were expected to fly that year.<ref name="avweb20150303"/> Flight test maximums had progressed to a weight of Template:Convert, a speed of Template:Convert, and Template:Convert altitude.<ref name=vert2015-03-05>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2015, AgustaWestland reported that the AW609 flew Template:Convert from Yeovil, UK, to Milan, Italy, in 2 hours 18 minutes.<ref name="finmec20150915">Template:Cite press release</ref> In September 2015, the first AW609 prototype was reportedly nearing the end of its service life, while a third prototype was finishing construction at the company's Vergiate facility and a fourth prototype was being built in Philadelphia.<ref name="flglobal20150916"/>
On 30 October 2015, the second of the two prototypes (N609AG) crashed near AgustaWestland's Vergiate facility in north west Italy, killing both pilots.<ref name=fg20151030>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
CertificationEdit
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In 2002, Type certification of the aircraft was projected for 2007.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In 2007, certification was projected for 2011.<ref name="BellAugusta_PressRelease_2007">Template:Cite press release</ref> In August 2012, the aircraft was forecast to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification in early 2016.<ref name="ain aug 2012">Template:Cite news</ref> The company expected to achieve FAA certification in 2017.<ref name=aw2013-12-02>Template:Cite news</ref> Some delays were caused by lack of funding for the FAA,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> others by the V-22 troubles,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> while AgustaWestland also spent time increasing performance and reducing cost.<ref name="aw2013-12-02"/>
In 2012, the FAA stated that the AW609 was to be certified in compliance with both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft rules. New codes were to be developed to cover the transition phase between the two modes.<ref name="ain2012-07-09"/> Of the 217 Pilot Training Tasks, 10 are unique tiltrotor tasks.Template:Sfn AW609 Certification Basis is established by the FAA under the provisions of Part 21.17(b) for "Special Class Aircraft" along with a portion of Part 25 (fixed-wing aircraft) and 29 (helicopter) and new specific tiltrotor partsTemplate:Sfn<ref name="ain2012-07-09">Template:Cite news</ref> in a new category called "powered lift".<ref name=aw2013-12-02/> In January 2013, the FAA defined US tiltrotor noise rules to comply with ICAO rules, expecting the AW609 to be available within 10 years. Noise certification will cost $588,000, which is the same as for a large helicopter.<ref name=tiltnoise>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In February 2014, the AW609 conducted its first customer demonstration flights, in both airplane and helicopter modes,<ref name="ain20140226">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="augwest20140227">Template:Cite press release</ref> and began certification flights.<ref name="osb1">Template:Cite news</ref>
In early summer 2014, the AW609 performed FAA-monitored autorotation tests. More than 79<ref name="ain2015-03-03"/> power-off conversions from airplane mode to helicopter mode were made across 10 flight hours. During these tests, it was found that the minimum operating requirements for successful autorotation include the altitude being Template:Convert, and that the system keeps rotor rpm above the minimum 70% for stable recovery.<ref name="ainonline201407">Template:Cite news</ref> The test pilots received the Iven C. Kincheloe Award for their role in the tests.<ref name="ain2015-03-03"/><ref name="agpr20141021">Template:Cite press release</ref>
In February 2023, pilots from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flew the AW609 tiltrotor, representing the first time the regulator's pilots had flown the type. The Leonardo company described the flight as a pre-TIA (type inspection authorization) activity, as it moves towards the final stage of the certification process.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> EASA pilots subsequently commenced familarisation flights in March 2023<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with certification and entry into service projected to be sometime in 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Further developmentsEdit
At the Farnborough Air Show in July 2012, AgustaWestland announced a higher-weight variant of the AW609, up to Template:Convert.<ref name="ain2015-03-03"/> This model would trade some of its vertical takeoff performance for increased payload capacity.<ref name="ain2012-07-09"/> Officials from AgustaWestland have suggested that this short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant may be an attractive option for search and rescue and maritime operators.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to senior vice-president of marketing Roberto Garavaglia, the Italian government is interested in acquiring several AW609s for coastal patrol duties. Due to an agreement with Bell, these may not feature armament.<ref name="ain 2013"/><ref name=aw2013-12-02/>
In June 2013, AgustaWestland announced that work to integrate design changes as part of a major modernisation would delay the AW609's certification by up to one year.<ref name="2013 mod">Template:Cite news</ref> These design changes primarily involved aerodynamic improvements, aimed at achieving a 10% reduction in drag and a significant reduction in overall weight, increasing the AW609's performance and capabilities. Separate improvement programs were underway on the aircraft's engines and avionics systems.<ref name="fglobal20130913">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="awPr20130903">Template:Cite press release</ref> In 2015, AgustaWestland announced the development of external fuel tanks which would permit Template:Convert flights carrying six passengers over three hours.<ref name="awPr20150303">Template:Cite press release</ref>
In 2013, AgustaWestland was considering a US-based final assembly point for production AW609s. Managing director Robert LaBelle stated that 35% of the customers for the tiltrotor are expected to come from the US market.<ref name="ain 2013">Template:Cite news</ref> Reportedly, the primary production line was to be located in Italy while a second production line in the US was under consideration.<ref name="2013 mod"/> In 2015 AgustaWestland announced that the AW609 will be produced at its Philadelphia facility,<ref name="avweb20150303">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="avtoday20150303">Template:Cite news</ref> the production site for the AW139, AW119 KXe and AW169.<ref name="ain2015-03-03"/> Two to three AW609 aircraft will be assembled there beginning in 2017, and once production matures, a second final assembly line is being considered for Italy.<ref name="ain2015-03-03"/> Leonardo has a flight simulator in Philadelphia to assist pilot training in the peculiarities of flying a tiltrotor.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2015, Bristow Helicopters and AgustaWestland agreed to develop dedicated offshore oil and gas transport, and search and rescue configurations for the AW609.<ref name="vertical20150303">Template:Cite press release</ref> In March 2015, Bristow Group signed a joint development agreement with AgustaWestland at Heli-Expo, which would allow Bristow to exclusively direct the direction of the tiltrotor for offshore missions such as oil and gas operations.<ref name="avweek20150306">Template:Cite news</ref> The changes could extend beyond the AW609 to potentially affect the design of larger and more advanced models that AgustaWestland was planning to introduce in the early 2020s. The introduction of tiltrotors would allow for point-to-point operations, flying oil company personnel to platforms from major population centers with a greater margin of safety. Industry journalists viewed the agreement as an approval of the tiltrotor technology from the commercial industry, where previously only the military were interested.<ref name=osb3>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="avweek20150306"/>
In the early 2020s there was interest in a military version; an AW609 for utility, medevac, or search and rescue versions began to be discussed more seriously.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DesignEdit
The AW609 is a tiltrotor aircraft capable of performing vertical landings whereas conventional fixed-wing aircraft cannot, allowing the type to serve locations such as heliports or very small airports, while possessing twice the speed and the range of any available helicopter.<ref name="bw609">Template:Cite news</ref> AgustaWestland promotes the type as "...combining the benefits of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft into one aircraft".<ref name="leo summ"/> The AW609 appears to be outwardly similar to the military-orientated V-22 Osprey. However, the two aircraft share few components. Unlike the V-22, the AW609 has a pressurised cabin.<ref name="bw609"/><ref name="avtoday20140428">Template:Cite news</ref>
As of 2013, multiple cabin configurations have been projected, including a standard nine-passenger layout, a six-to-seven-passenger VIP/executive cabin, and a search and rescue model featuring a hoist/basket and four single seats. Medevac and patrol/surveillance-orientated variants have been proposed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> For increased passenger comfort, the cabin is pressurised and equipped with soundproofing.<ref name="leo summ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Access to the cabin is via a Template:Convert, two-piece clamshell door, center-set into the fuselage underneath the wings.<ref name="ain2015-03-03"/>
The AW609 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A turboshaft engines, which each drive a three-bladed proprotor. These engines possess roughly twice the horsepower of the similarly sized AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter.<ref name="defaero20121204">Template:Cite news</ref> Both of the engine and proprotor pairs are mounted on a load-bearing rotatable pylon at the wing's ends, allowing the proprotors to be positioned at various angles. In helicopter mode, the proprotors can be positioned between a 75- and 95-degree angle from the horizontal, with 87 degrees being the typical selection for hovering vertically.<ref name="avtoday20141201"/> In airplane mode, the proprotors are rotated forward and locked in position at a zero-degree angle, spinning at 84% RPM.<ref name="sim1"/> The flight control software reportedly handles much of the complexity of the transitioning between helicopter and airplane modes.<ref name="sim1"/> Automated systems guide pilots to the correct tilt angle and air speed settings.<ref name="avtoday20141201"/>
When flying in airplane mode, the majority of lift is produced by the AW609's wings, which are slightly forward-swept. Both the wing and the main fuselage are made largely of composite materials.<ref name="leo summ"/> The Template:Convert wings feature flaperon control surfaces which are normally automatically controlled. In vertical flight, the flaperons drop to a 66-degree downwards angle to reduce the wing area being encountered by downwash from the proprotors. A high-mounted rudderless vertical stabiliser is attached the rear of the fuselage to stabilise flight while in aircraft mode.<ref name="avtoday20141201"/>
In the event of a single engine failure, either engine can provide power to both proprotors via a drive shaft. The AW609 is also capable of autorotation.<ref name="ain aug 2012"/><ref name="avtoday20140428"/> The AW609 has been designed to achieve Full Transport Category/Class 1 performance, to operate safely even when flown under single engine conditions. It is equipped with a de-icing system, and is to be certified for flying into known icing conditions.<ref name="leo summ"/> Building on experiences with the V-22, the AW609 is outfitted with a sink rate warning system.Template:Sfn
Avionics include a triple-redundant digital fly-by-wire flight control system, a head-up display system, and Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC). The cockpit has been designed so that the AW609 can be flown by a single pilot in instrument flight rules conditions.<ref name="ain aug 2012"/><ref name="ain20120712">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="shepard20121026">Template:Cite news</ref> Several of the aircraft's controls, such as blade pitch, are designed to resemble and function their counterparts on conventional rotorcraft, enabling helicopter pilots to transition to the type more easily.<ref name="sim1"/><ref name="avtoday20141201"/>
Elements of the aircraft's controls feature touchscreen interfaces.<ref name="leo summ"/> Shortly following AgustaWestland's full acquisition of the program, a substantial modernisation of the AW609's design was initiated in 2012. These changes included new engines and the redesigning of the cockpit. As part of the design refresh, new flight management systems, Northrop Grumman inertial and GPS navigation systems, and other avionics from Rockwell Collins were adopted.<ref name="2013 mod"/><ref name="agpr20130903">Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="grumman20140224">Template:Cite press release</ref>
Sales potential and service entryEdit
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Bell/Agusta aimed the aircraft "at the government and military markets".<ref name="aw-product">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Another key market for the AW609 has been offshore oil and gas operations, which require aircraft capable of traversing the increasing distances involved.<ref name="kay aviation 2014">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2001, Bell estimated a market for 1,000 aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bell/Agusta stated in 2007 that they intend for the BA609 to compete with corporate business jets and helicopters, and that the BA609 would be of interest to any operator that has a mixed fleet of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.<ref name="fg609">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2004, Lt. Gen. Michael Hough, USMC deputy commandant for aviation, requested that Bell conduct studies into arming the BA609, potentially to act as an escort for V-22s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, AgustaWestland's deal with Bell for taking over the BA609 program precludes the aircraft from carrying arms.<ref name="ain 2013"/><ref name=aw2013-12-02/>
In 2001, Terry Stinson, then chairman and CEO of Bell Helicopters, declared that the aircraft will cost "at least Template:US$".<ref name="aw2001">Template:Cite journal</ref> In 2004, Don Barbour, then executive marketing director, stated that "early orders had been taken at a price of between $8 and $10 million." Since 1999, orders have been at a price to be confirmed no later than 24 months before aircraft delivery.<ref name="ain2004">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2012, industry reporters estimated that the final price tag may come to $30 million per unit.<ref name=Wynbrandt/><ref name=new2012>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2015, some believed the price to be only around $24 million.<ref name=ain2015-03-03>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="avweb20150303"/>
In 1999, there were 77 confirmed orders.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> In 2012, there were 70 orders, depending on the final unit price.<ref name=new2012/> Template:As of, there were 60 orders for the AW609.<ref name="avtoday20150303"/> The company intends to have production facilities ready for completing orders right after FAA certification.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bristow Helicopters intends to order 10 or more.<ref name="ain2015-03-03b">Template:Cite news</ref> Michael Bloomberg, the U.S. billionaire businessman and politician, is "near the top" of the list of buyers who have put a deposit down on the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft.<ref name="nytimes20120413">Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2015, the Italian Army released a white paper documenting its vision of future procurement efforts. It included the intention to procure a force of tiltrotor aircraft for rapid troop-transport and medical evacuation duties. It has been speculated in the media that the AW609 is a likely candidate for the requirement.<ref>Kington, Tom. "Italian Army Lays Out Future Vision." Defense News, 14 January 2015.</ref> In November 2015, United Arab Emirates selected a search and rescue variant of the AW609, signing a memorandum of understanding for three, with an option for three more.<ref name=dnUae>Template:Cite news</ref> As of May 2019, no contract with the UAE has been signed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Currently being built at AWPC Philadelphia,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in March 2022, Leonardo projected entry into service as early as 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2023, the AW609 entered the final stage of flight certification, and Template:As of it is estimated this process could be completed as early as 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Notable accidents and incidentsEdit
On 30 October 2015, the second of the two prototypes (N609AG), which first flew in 2006, crashed near AgustaWestland's Vergiate facility in North West Italy, killing long-time test pilots Pietro Venanzi and Herb Moran.<ref name="fg20151030"/><ref name="vertical20151030">Template:Cite news</ref> The aircraft broke up in midair after 27 minutes of flight, on a flight plan that included high speed testing.<ref name="vertical20151109">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="avtoday20151216">Template:Cite news</ref> Investigators consider the most likely cause to be changes in flight control laws and tail changes. These led to a "Dutch roll" instability while diving at Template:Cvt where previously only Template:Convert had been achieved.<ref name="flglobal20160624">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="vertical20160625">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ansv2003">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Italian authorities seized the third prototype in May 2016,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and returned it for flight testing in July.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The final report stated that during a high-speed dive with a left turn, "slight lateral-direction oscillations" started on roll-out and grew in amplitude and frequency. The pilot attempted to correct the roll with "counterphase input roll manoeuvres and then pedal inputs", but this did not dampen the oscillations. They instead became divergent, bringing the sideslip angle at 10.5°, well above the 4° maximum allowed, "inducing contact of the right proprotor with the right wing due to excessive flapping of the proprotor blades". This severed fuel and hydraulic lines in the wing leading edge, triggering a fire.<ref name="fltglobal20170510">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ansv2045">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Specifications (BA609)Edit
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
BibliographyEdit
Further readingEdit
External linksEdit
- AgustaWestland AW609 at LeonardoCompany.com
- AW609 promotional video by AgustaWestland at YouTube.com
- Video of VIP and Rescue interiors, interview with test pilot by AVweb