AgustaWestland
Rotorcraft Capability Provider
AgustaWestland’s major UK facility in Yeovil, the
home of Westland since 1915, employs 3,300 people. The UK is also
home to AgustaWestland’s headquarters in Farnborough. The merger of
Agusta and Westland in 2001 created a leading force in the
helicopter industry, to serve commercial and government customers
world-wide.
The company’s skills and resources in the UK
are unique, with the ability to design, develop and manufacture
complete rotorcraft, and integrate their complex avionic and
mission systems. It is also an industry leader in the provision of
training services and through-life support solutions.
AgustaWestland’s key capabilities include:
- Naval helicopters
- Military utility and battlefield surveillance
helicopters
- Commercial helicopters
- Public service helicopters
- Integration of avionic and weapon
systems
- Integrated operational support
- Training services and systems
In the UK, AgustaWestland is engaged in major
helicopter programmes such as the AW101, Super Lynx 300, and the
new AW159 “Lynx Wildcat” and AW149 multi-role helicopters.
Additionally, it is involved in upgrading the Royal Navy’s Merlin
fleet and the British Army’s Lynx Mk9 fleet, as well as delivering
a wide range of urgent operational requirements for the UK Ministry
of Defence’s (MOD) helicopter fleet.
Each of these programmes requires the design,
development and integration of advanced avionics and mission
systems, and the incorporation of advanced technologies that were
developed in the UK. These include the world-leading British
Experimental Rotor Programme, now in its fourth generation, which
produced the rotor-blades that enabled the Lynx to set the world
helicopter speed record.
Through its customer training academies, and
its joint ventures and partnerships with leading training equipment
and system providers, AgustaWestland has a strong portfolio of
training products and services. It is able to deliver complete
training solutions and has developed systems that support
activities in live, virtual and synthetic environments.
Integrated Operational Support schemes, in
place for the UK Merlin, Apache and Sea King fleets, have set new
and high standards for incentivised aircraft availability-based
contracting for in-service support. The contracts have given
front-line operators improved aircraft availability, while also
providing cost savings.
These developments underline two key themes
within the company today: a partnered approach with the UK MOD to
deliver rotorcraft capability, and the drive to win in
international markets. The groundbreaking Strategic Partnering
Arrangement, signed by AgustaWestland and the UK MOD in 2006,
demonstrates the commitment on both sides to the implementation of
the Defence Industrial Strategy.
Graham Cole CBE, MD Business,
AgustaWestland:
“AgustaWestland has an unparalleled range
of rotorcraft to meet the operational requirements of both military
and civil customers. Through investment and the technical expertise
and commitment of our workforce, we are now a true capability
provider in the rotorcraft market. We are able to deliver world
class platforms that are customised to meet the most demanding
customer requirements, industry leading training services, and
through-life Integrated Operational Support solutions.”
Visit the AgustaWestland
website