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Prvi letni prototip novog italijanskog helikoptera AW-249, koji ce zameniti A-129.
Citat:As we just mentioned, the AW249 will be tailored to the future battlespace. In order to adapt to the rapidly evolving scenarios, the helicopter will fuse open systems architecture to allow quick upgrades and growth capabilities, state-of-the-art communications and an advanced battlespace management system. Also, because of the increasing need to team with other platforms in network-centric operations, the AW249 will feature manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.
The interoperability and situational awareness of the helicopter will be boosted by C2 (Command and control) and C4 (command, control, communications, and computer) systems, together with Software Defined Radios for multi-band Line of Sight (LOS) e Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications, Variable Message Format and Link-16 data links, photo and video transmission systems (like ROVER).
The situational awareness will also take advantage of obstacle and altimetric profile detection systems, as well as all the standard navigational aids, day, night and thermal vision systems and helmet mounted displays (HMD). The sheer amount of info will be reportedly displayed on large area displays (LAD) in both cockpits, as shown in concept images published in 2017.
The helicopter is powered by a pair of GE Aviation CT7-8E6 (T700) turboshaft engines, rated at 2,500hp (1,860kW) each and also includes dynamic components from the AW149 transport helicopter. The AW249 has been designed with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) within the range of 7,500 – 8,000 kg (about the double of the AW129’s MTOW), with the ability to operate in both hot-and-high and cold weather conditions, with a cruising speed of 140kts and a three-hour endurance. The helicopter has been designed also with ship-borne operations in mind.
Thanks to its MTOW, the AW249 features a weapon payload which is reportedly doubled compared to the Mangusta. Six wing stations will be able to load air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, unguided/guided rockets and external fuel tanks, in addition to the nose mounted 20 mm cannon. Like the cannon and the targeting system, the AW249 will also inherit the Spike anti-tank guided missiles.
Survivability is also at the top of the design priorities, with both ballistic tolerance (e.g. redundancy, separation of critical systems, dry run capability of drive system, armoured seats, ballistic tolerant fuel tanks) and crashworthiness (e.g. crashworthy airframe, seats and fuel tanks) features being integrated. The helicopter will feature a state-of-the-art self-protection suite, with the Italian Army reportedly selecting the fully digital Elettronica ELT-162 Radar Warning Receiver, the Elettronica ELT/577 Quiris Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure System (DIRCM) and the Leonardo Multi Aperture InfraRed (MAIR) Missile Warning System (MWS).
The aircraft also has some low detectability features to reduce both the radar cross section and infrared signature. Although it is not a stealth helicopter, these features will help to make the detection of the AW249 more difficult for the adversaries. However, the prototype doesn’t appear to have IR exhaust filters on the engines, which might be added later on during the flight test campaign. The helicopter might also include features from international Future Fast Rotorcraft programs.
https://theaviationist.com/2022/08/23/the-new-aw24.....irst-time/
https://www.key.aero/article/leonardo-aw249-what-w.....helicopter
https://www.defenceturk.net/aw249-taarruz-helikopteri-ilk-ucusunu-gerceklestirdi
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