Dal forum di HeliOPS....
http://www.heliopsforum.com/index.php?thre...cond-aw139.398/AgustaWestland has announced the delivery of a second AW139 medium twin helicopter for the Italian Guardia di Finanza (Customs and Border Patrol Service). The aircraft was accepted by Gen. Michele Adinolfi, Guardia di Finanza Chief of Staff and Gen. Daniele Caprino, Interregional Commander for North-East Italy, during an official ceremony held at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant today. The Guardia di Finanza’s first AW139 was delivered in mid-2009.
The AW139s are being incorporated into the Guardia di Finanza's Aviation Service fleet as its new generation medium twin helicopter, replacing older models. The AW139s will perform several missions including surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime patrol, law enforcement and homeland security.
Alessandro Parrini, Senior Vice President Italian Government Business Unit, AgustaWestland said "We are delighted the Guardia di Finanza is receiving a second AW139 as part of their fleet renewal programme. The handover also marks another important step in the longstanding and excellent relationship between AgustaWestland and the customer."
Gen. Michele Adinolfi declared: “The AW139 is greatly enhancing the Guardia di Finanza's homeland security operational capabilities to the benefit of the large community we serve. This type is a tremendous addition to our operational capabilities.”
AgustaWestland is also seeing growing interest in the BA609 tiltrotor by the Italian Guardia di Finanza, thanks to its unmatched features in terms of performance, mission flexibility and capability.
The outstanding features in terms of performance, technology, capacity and operational flexibility have made the AW139 the best selling helicopter in the medium twin class and an ideal solution to perform homeland security, law enforcement, border and coastal patrol duties. The aircraft has found great success with operators worldwide in these roles. Almost 500 AW139s have been ordered so far worldwide in around 50 countries by nearly 140 customers for a wide range of missions such as law enforcement, EMS/SAR, fire fighting, VIP/corporate transport, passenger and offshore transport, ENG and other government tasks.
