AgustaWestland’s Multi-Mission Helicopter Introduced By Italian Air Force

The Italian Air Force has brought AgustaWestland’s multi-mission helicopter, HH-101A Caesar into the service for providing air support to special operations forces.

Further, the helicopter will be used by Italian Air force for recovery of personnel, search-and-rescue and, if required, as a slow mover interceptor.

The Caesar will be flown by the Italian Air Force's 15th Wing, which conducts search-and-rescue missions and also other public service missions, the Italian Air Force announced Monday.

The HH-101A Caesar is a variant of the company's AW-101, known as the Merlin by the militaries of Britain, Denmark and Portugal.

The HH-101A has a cruise speed of 167 miles per hour, a range of 517 miles and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet. It is fitted with the latest-generation avionics and features a probe for in-flight refueling.

The aircraft was rolled out for the Italian media late last week at Cervia Air Base.