AW609
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2019
Total Production : 80
Model | Status | Year | Produced |
---|---|---|---|
AW609 | Under Development | 2019 | 80 |
AW609
Group : Turboprop Airplanes
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : BA609
Origin : Italy,
United States of America
Contractors : Leonardo Helicopters*, Bell Textron
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2019
Total Production : 80
Bell Agusta BA609 is a tiltrotor aircraft developed for the commercial market which combines the benefits of vertical taking-off and landing from rotorcrafts with airplanes' high-speed and low fuel consumption compared with rotorcraft. This aircraft can accommodate up to nine passengers with two pilots and can fly above the weather conditions. Bell and Agusta are managing the BA609 program through Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company (BAAC). BAAC claims that has received more than 70 orders from 40 operators in 18 countries.
The BA609 aircraft can assume VIP/Corporate transport, Search and Rescue (SAR), Coast Guard and military support roles. The aircraft features pressurized cabin for operations at high altitude, fuselage is made of composite materials with aluminum structure, fly-by-wire controls, heated composite rotor blades, crashworthy seats, glass cockpit and two PT6C-67A engines . The aircraft design gets influence from the V-22 military tiltrotor aircraft ordered by the United States armed forces. BAAC expects BA609 to become a real breakthrough for 21st century civil aviation.
As of June 2002 in Texas, Bell/Agusta were conducting engine ground runs in preparation for the BA609 aircraft first flight. FAA certification is expected by 2007. A total of four prototypes will be produced for the development and testing program. Two assembly lines will be established one at Bell's plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the other one at Agusta's plant in Italy. Both production lines will deliver the same aircraft and all the fuselages will be built by Fuji Heavy Industries in Japan.
In June 2003, the Bell/Agusta BA609 was preparing for its first conversion to airplane mode after returning to flight status on 3 June 2005. With its nacelles in the vertical position, the tiltrotor takes-off, lands and hovers like a traditional helicopter. When the nacelles are tilted forward to the horizontal position, the aircraft flies with the high speed and range of a turboprop fixed-wing airplane. The first full conversion to airplane was executed over Central Texas 22 July 2005 reaching nearly 220 mph.
Specifications
Notes | ||
---|---|---|
Crew | 2 | |
Number of Engines | 2 | |
Passengers | 9 | |
Propeller Blades | 3 | |
Dimensions | ||
Height | 4.5 meter | |
Length | 13.3 meter | |
Propeller Diameter | 7.9 meter | |
Wingspan | 18.3 meter | |
Mass | ||
Max Takeoff Weight | 8,165 kilogram | |
Payload | 2,500 kilogram | |
Performance | ||
Ceiling | 25,000 foot | |
Max Range | 1,100 nautical mile | |
Min Range | 500 nautical mile | |
Power | ||
Max Power at TakeOff | 3,062 shp | |
Speed | ||
Cruise Speed | 275 knot | |
Time | ||
Flight Endurance | 4 hour |
Gear
Turboshaft Engines | ||
---|---|---|
PT6C | 2 |
News
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The AW609 tiltrotor programme set another major industry capability milestone after its first successful ship trial, which was recently conducted with the support of the Italian Navy.
Several ground and flight tests already performed in Philadelphia by the third AW609 prototype Aircraft remains on schedule to begin icing trials this winter FAA certification
The MoU represents the next important step for the world’s first commercial tiltrotor that is being developed for EMS, offshore transport, search and rescue and passenger
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Increased maximum all up mass for greater payload and range External fuel tanks for increased range and endurance Enlarged cabin door ideal for SAR and EMS missions State-of-the-art
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The start of the production phase, in anticipation of FAA civil certification in 2017, is a major step forward for the program Integration of the global AW609 TiltRotor
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that autorotation trials for the AW609 TiltRotor program have been completed successfully.
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced today that it has completed the first customer demonstration flight of the AW609 to Chevron on February 25th The round
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is flight testing a number of aerodynamic improvements that will boost the performance of the AW609 TiltRotor.
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed agreements with three key suppliers for its AW609 TiltRotor programme.
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has finalised the transaction with Bell Helicopter Textron for the acquisition of the 609 tiltrotor programme.
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce today that it has taken full ownership of the BA609 tiltrotor programme.
As the most advanced rotorcraft technology innovation that will revolutionize vertical flight in the forthcoming future, the BA609 Tiltrotor features an unparalleled combination
Photo Gallery
March 2015
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AW609 tiltrotor aircraft
March 2008
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Bell Agusta BA609 tiltrotor cockpit
June 2007
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BA609 tilt-rotor
Notes
State Latest Known holdings/Original Procurement
Com - Date of Commissioning
Decom - Date of Decommissioning
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