After the initial influx of the new AW169 helicopters of the army everything went according to plan, there have recently been slight delays. This was mainly due to delivery problems at the US engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. Despite this challenge, two more AW169s from manufacturer Leonardo are about to be handed over to the Austrian Armed Forces.
At Pratt & Whitney, the PW1000G engine series in particular has recently been causing problems. This is also a key product for the Airbus A320 family. Microscopically small ceramic particles impaired the strength of the rotor disks during the powder metallurgy manufacturing process. As a result, at least 3,000 of these engines now have to be inspected and repaired if necessary. This problem is not only causing production bottlenecks at Pratt & Whitney, but is also exacerbating the existing global shortage of titanium – a material that almost every aircraft needs these days, including the AW169 Lion.
In addition, the “Military Advanced” version, of which Austria will receive 24, apparently cannot be assembled in parallel with the “B” version, of which Austria will receive twelve. The installation of additional military technology, weapon control computers, self-protection and an extensive communications system that can also transmit encrypted high-speed data via satellite would bring AW169 civilian production to a standstill. In order to provide relief here, Leonardo is apparently considering setting up its own production line. To make matters worse, the general contractor for the simulator building at the Leopold Figl – General Pabisch Air Base in Langenlebarn near Tulln is now also insolvent. The two-storey, 800 square meter building will be equipped with several simulators and will serve as the future hub of helicopter training for the Austrian Armed Forces. https://militaeraktuell.at/militaer-aktuell-der-podcast-startet-mit-drei-folgen/ Enough to do to keep the programme on track. So it’s a good thing that the helicopters that have been delivered can be flown diligently and without any problems. On average, each aircraft is in the air around 21 hours a month. This would definitely not be possible with an aircraft that is causing problems. Irrespective of this, there are increasing signs that Austria’s AW169 Lion fleet will soon be growing again. This is because serial numbers 72038 and 72039 were recently photographed in flight in Italy. And that can only mean that the tests for acceptance, the so-called quality inspection, are underway. This is the last major step for the manufacturer before the aircraft is handed over to the customer, certified as faultless and fully functional.
Even more information about the new AW169 – and also about the old and new Black Hawks – of the German Armed Forces can be found in the large “Air Force focus” in the new issue of Militär Aktuell (-> To subscription). In addition to an in-depth interview with Air Chief Major General Gerfried Promberger Georg Mader and Martin Rosenkranz also spoke to Colonel Reinhard Zmug, “helicopter pope” in the aircraft department of the Ministry of Defense. And this much can be revealed: the first picture of the armed “MA version” of the Bundesheer AW169 can also be found in the new issue. The photos were sent to us with the kind permission of Oscar Bernardi from his AW169 Facebook group from his AW169 Facebook group.
Here for more army news and here to further news about Leonardo.
