Bell Agusta Aerospace Makes its First Heli-Expo Appearance

Bell and Agusta have split the BA609 into 75-25% shares respectively, with a corresponding 25-75% split on the AB139. Agusta now has 100 engineers working on the tiltrotor, including 25 who have just moved to Fort Worth.

BAAC has defined "the basic core" of the AB139, and is working on external details. Bringing it into the BAAC joint venture greatly boosts its chances with the U.S. government market, while allowing a single, worldwide support system through BAAC, marketing director Don Barber told Show News.

The AB139 is designed around the transmission of the A129 Mangusta attack helicopter, and is powered by two Pratt &Whitney Canada PT6C-67Cs, which are to be used on the BA609.

It is a conventional helicopter with a five-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor. It will have a large, unobstructed cabin, capable of accommodating 15 passengers or six litters in a medevac role, and a retractable tricycle landing gear. Maximum cruising speed will be 160 kt. Agusta has selected Honeywell Primus Epic avionics, including a four-axis automatic flight control system.
The AB139 is larger, more powerful and more expensive than the Bell 412.