News
Leonardo AW09 single engine helicopter contracts and partnership
March 8, 2023 By Helicopters Staff
Leonardo’s AW09 single engine helicopter in Switzerland. (Photo: Leonardo) Leonardo at Heli-Expo 2023 announced it has signed preliminary sales contracts for more than 50 AW09 helicopters with several customers worldwide, including Aero Service Representação in Brazil, Synerjet Latina SA in Colombia, Peru and Chile, Helitech Asia in South East Asia, Safomar in South Africa, Diskopsa for Panama and Guatemala, Heliflite in Oceania Aero Facility in Japan.
Leonardo also announced what it describes as an important Agreement with Metro Aviation, one of the largest privately-owned HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) operator and service providers in the US. The collaboration between the two companies aims to support the introduction and positioning of the AW09 in the United States. The agreement will leverage Metro Aviation’s experience and capabilities in the development of aircraft interior and STCs, service and training.
“What we have announced at Heli-Expo is the culmination of three years’ work through which the AW09 benefited from considerable enhancements and has now reached a final configuration, allowing to offer the level of competitiveness that the market expects,” said Gian Piero Cutillo of Leonardo Helicopters. “Indeed, the AW09 is generating a very positive response from all geographies around the world. Rotorcraft companies highly welcome the AW09 for its outstanding features and multirole capabilities that represent a significant evolution compared to existing products in this category.”
Acquired three years ago by Leonardo, the AW09 complements Leonardo’s product range in the Long Light Single segment, introducing an all-new design aircraft to sustain a long-term competitive positioning in this weight category. One of the latest evolutions is the decision to on-board on the AW09 the Arriel 2K engine, the newest member of the Safran engine family.
