(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) No. 3 Squadron, stationed at Kuching Air Base, has recently taken delivery of its second Leonardo AW139 helicopter (M104-05).
The Leonardo AW139, a mobility asset for the RMAF, is leased under a Government Operate, Company Own and Maintain (GOCOM) agreement with Weststar Aviation Services Sdn. Bhd.
With the addition of four new Leonardo AW139s to the Kuching Air Base, the RMAF’s capabilities in East Malaysia are set to improve significantly, according to RMAF recent social media post.
These helicopters will play a crucial role in various operations, including air logistic support, military and civil communications, helicopter insertion and extraction, freefall operations, medical evacuations, casualty evacuations, body evacuations, humanitarian and disaster relief, and deck landing.
The handover ceremony for the second AW139 was conducted by the Commander of Kuching Air Base, Colonel Yusrizal bin Zain, at the No. 3 Squadron detachment hangar.
The AW139 helicopter is a versatile medium-class aircraft manufactured by AgustaWestland (now Leonardo). Below is a brief overview of its technical specifications:
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Engines: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C engines, each delivering a maximum output of 1,679 shp.
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Passenger Capacity: Can accommodate up to 15 passengers with one pilot, depending on cabin configuration.
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Maximum Speed: 310 km/h (167 knots).
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Flight Range: Up to 1,061 km (572 nautical miles) with standard fuel tanks.
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Maximum Operating Altitude: 6,096 meters (20,000 feet).
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Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6,800 kg.
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Key Features:
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Fully digital avionics system with a glass cockpit.
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Four-axis autopilot system for enhanced flight stability.
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Day and night operational capability with Night Vision Goggles (NVG).
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Modular design supporting various missions such as SAR (Search and Rescue), VIP transport, medical evacuation, and military operations.
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The AW139 is renowned for its versatility, high performance, and reliability under diverse operational conditions.
— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA