MANILA, Philippines — Four brand new AW109E Power helicopters the Armed Forces of the Philippines arrived late December and currently being assembled.
Defense Undersecretary for Finance Fernando Manalo said that the Philippine Navy will receive two of the newly delivered helicopters, while the Philippine Air Force will also get two.
"They are now being assembled and according to the timeline I received, they will be flown to Clark, Pampanga for testing and acceptance," Manalo said in a state news report on Wednesday.
The new assets, manufactured by Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland, are part of the P1.3-billion aircraft deal signed by the Department of National Defense in 2013 and of another P3.44 billion project.
Describing the aircraft on its website, AgustaWestland said it is the "best solution for an embarked light twin helicopter" for naval purposes due to its multi-mission effectiveness, extensive corrosion protection and high sea state operation capability.
"The Power can perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ships' hangar," it said.
Each unit can carry one pilot and seven passengers.
| Performance (ISA, 2850 kg / 6283 lb) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VNE | 311 | km/h | 168 | kt |
| Max cruise speed | 285 | km/h | 154 | kt |
| Rate of climb | 9.8 | m/sec | 1930 | ft/min |
| Hovering IGE (TOP) | 5059 | m | 16600 | ft |
| Hovering OGE (TOP) | 3596 | m | 11800 | ft |
| Service ceiling (MCP) | 5974 | m | 19600 | ft |
| OEI max service ceiling | 3993 | m | 13100 | ft |
| Max Range** | 948 | km | 512 | nm |
| Max endurance** | 4 h 51 min | |||
RELATED: Military to get P7-B upgrades this year
This year, the Army and general headquarters will get 18 projects each, the Navy 16 and the Air Force 13. Two projects will be for the government arsenal. - Camille Diola