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Description: The HH-139B is the military version of the civilian AW139, made by the Italian company Agusta. It’s development started in 1997, with the first prototype making its first flight in 2001, but there wouldn’t be a military version until 2011, when Agusta showcased for the first time the AW139M, a specific version aimed to fulfill various different tasks, such as combat SAR (search and rescue), reconnaissance, transport, and light fire support. In order to accomplish the previously mentioned tasks, the new version was fitted with a good number of new systems, such as the Wescam X15I HD, a capable optical system that features advanced thermals and zoom, reinforced gears, a cable for rescue operations, a forward-looking search radar, a protection suite (featuring chaffs and flares), and two hardpoints for different weapons, mainly gun pods and rockets. One of the first operators of the new military version was the Italian Air Force, which was looking for a new platform to replace its aging utility fleet, and so placed an initial order for 13 units, designed as HH139A, with the first one being delivered in 2012. In 2019, a second order for 17 additional units, designed as HH139B, was signed. Compared to the initial A, the B features two differences: a double cable, an upgraded flight console, and a max weight of 7000 kg (compared to the previous 6800 kg). The 30 HH139, alongside the 20 HH101 Cesarion, as anticipated, aim to replace the entirety of the old Italian Air Force utility fleet, composed of HH212 and HH3F (the first of the two was retired last year). As for the weapons, the armaments available to this platform are quite light as anticipated, featuring mainly gun pods (FN M3P and miniguns), unguided rockets (Aerea 50 mm and FZ231), and guided rockets (FZ275), which will owe it probably a low BR heliwise, since although its laser-guided rockets would have a 7 km range, they wouldn’t pack a punch as a normal ATGM.
Why It should be in game: I think this helicopter could be a quite useful veichle for a br around 9.0 and 9.3? Featuring good flight model, very good optics, a radar and countermeasures but limited weapons.
Specifications
Armaments
Riepilogo
Machingeuns/cannons
2x 12.7 mm FN M3P
2x 12.7 mm FN M3P + 6 70 mm Hydra rokets
2x M134 Minigun (door guns)
Rokets
14x FZ231
14x FZ275 LGR
30x Aerea 50 mm
Sources
Riepilogo
https://helicopters.leonardo.com/documents/16114711/18054517/BROCHURE+AW139M.pdf?t=1601387469385
AW139M - Elicotteri Militari
Farnborough 2012: AgustaWestland HH-139A's new combat configuration - The Aviationist
HH-139B, ecco il primo elicottero di Leonardo per l'Aeronautica - Startmag
Pictures
