Agustawestland AW139 Intermediate Twin Helicopter Enters Chilean Police Service

Agustawestland's AW139 intermediate twin helicopter delivered to the Chilean national police force has entered the service, the company announced Thursday.

The helicopter will be used to support a wide range of missions including public order and safety, crime control, counter terrorism, drug control and border security across the nation, search and rescue and transport.

The order made in late 2014 marked the entrance of the AW139 into the Chilean helicopter market and an expansion of the Carabineros de Chile’s AgustaWestland helicopter fleet, which includes five AW109 Power light twin helicopters that first entered service in 2008.

The only new generation helicopter in its weight class, the AW139 sets new standards of performance in its category with a maximum cruise speed of 165 knots (306 km/h) and a maximum range in excess of 570 nm (1060 km) with auxiliary fuel.

The aircraft also has one engine inoperative capabilities, even in the hot and high environmental conditions. The AW139 benefits from a range of modern, constantly enhanced and tailored support and training capabilities, designed to deliver outstanding mission effectiveness and safety standards whatever the mission, leveraging on the expanding network of AgustaWestland service and training centres worldwide.

Many operators have already been operating the AW139 for homeland security, law enforcement and public utility applications in many nations worldwide including Chile, Brazil, USA, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Bulgaria, Oman, UAE, and China.