- Yes
- No
General Info
The AB-212 ASW is an Italian version of the American Bell 212, it has been extensively modified to fit its ASW role. Agusta during the cold war had a lot of experience in the helicopter sector, they were no stranger to licence producing American helicopters and then upgrading them to then either be used by the Italian armed forces or exported elsewhere. Like other Bell helicopters produced by Agusta, the Italian Navy was very keen on replacing their now outdated AB.204 with something more robust and more suited for the ASW role. Thus this lead to the creation of the AB-212 ASW, using advanced systems from the begining allowed the platform to be able to be upgraded with better systems in the future and also increased its export potential as potential buyers could request specific avionics/armament options from the get-go. It was given anticorrosion treatments which allowed it to be used aboard naval vessels for long periods of time. By 1976 the Agusta-Bell AB-212 ASW would enter service with the Italian Navy, at the time having at their disposal a total of 68 helicopters. It had access to an special kevlar kits, Flare/Chaff CM’s, APS-705 radar, ASQ-13B sonar and “STAR SAFIRE II” FLIR. Armament included torpedoes, depth charges, rocket pods, gun pods, ATGM’s and Anti-Ship missiles. If there was a need it could also be with machine guns which would be used by door gunners. The platform has acess to specialized equipment to make it be able to work during the day/night and in poor weather conditions. In terms of mobility the AB-212 ASW uses the PT-6T-3 engines, made by Prat&Whitney, which allows the aircraft to reach speeds of up to 240km an hour with an overall range of 667km. The crew usually consits of a pilot and co-pilot, a sonar and/or radar operator. The AB-212 ASW has been a very robust platform, it has proved its worth in many different theatres. Agusta also managed to export this machine, many Navies around the world have adopted this design such as Turkey, Peru, Spain, Venezuela, Iran and Greece. It is still in active service inside the Italian Navy and operates or has operated on the majority of Italian frigates.
Armament+Equipment
x2 AS12 missiles
x2 Mk44 torpedoes
x2 Mk46 torpedoes
x2 A-244 torpedoes
x2 Sea Killer Anti-ship Missiles
x2 Sea Stuka Anti-ship Missiles
x2 HMP Gun pods
x2 19/70 HL Rocket pods
MG 42/59 (door gunners)
Flare/Chaff CM system
APS-705 radar
ASQ-13B sonar
STAR SAFIRE II FLIR
Why it should be in game
This helicopter should be added as it would help bolster the Italian helicopter tree which as of now only has a few Italian helicopters inside of it. Its armament is good enough for it to be used in GRB and can also be used in Naval battles whenever Gaijin introduces naval helicopters for that gamemode. It would not be overpowered and would also be relatively easy to model. Overall it would be a great addition that a lot of players would enjoy.
Sources
Spoiler
Agusta AB-212 ASW brochure
Italian aviation series AB212 - in service with Italian navy, air force and Army
Profile Italian Marine striker AB-212 ASW
World Air Power Journal, Volume 1, Spring 1990
IDR 5 1983
https://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/airfleet/Pagine/ab212.aspx
https://www.helis.com/database/model/AB-212-ASW/
Bell 212 - Wikipedia
Agusta-Bell AB 212 ASW - Wikipedia
Marina Militare Italiana - AB 212 ASW 1
Agusta-Bell AB-212ASW | Weaponsystems.net
https://www.helis.com/database/model/AB-212-ASW/
http://www.hellenicnavy.gr/en/fleet/aircrafts/164-en/fleet/aircrafts/918-ab-212-asw.html
http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/csdp/missions-and-operations/eunavfor-med/pdf/esp_ab-212_asw.pdf
Agusta Bell AB-212 ASW Helicopter Italian Navy Marina Militare Italiana
Elicottero della Marina Militare interviene in supporto nella lotta agli incendi boschivi - Marina Militare
Marine Militare AB-212 ASW
Photos
