Photos: the first Italian AF HH-101A heavy Combat SAR heli

[Stratofreighter]

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Rick Ingham


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http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... er-397221/

PICTURES: First Italian air force HH-101A breaks cover

The first AgustaWestland AW101 destined for the Italian air force has been displayed to service officials at the Anglo-Italian airframer's Yeovil, UK facility.

To be designated the HH-101A Caesar in Italian service,
Rome has ordered 15 of the type to replace its current fleet of Agusta/Sikorsky HH-3 Pelicans for use on personnel recovery and special forces operations.

Initial test sorties using a green airframe took place at the beginning of February,
with additional flights performed on 18 and 19 March 2014 following completion of painting.

The HH-101A will be equipped with three M134 7.62mm pintle-mounted miniguns installed on the right and left sides and on the rear ramp,
armoured cockpit seats,
ballistic protection for the door gunners as well as for the helicopter's critical systems.

It will also feature an air-to-air refuelling kit for extended range operations.

[mart]

That is an AWESOME looking chopper!

[Erik_7Xi]

I'll be very sorry to see the good old HH-3F go (although it is getting really old now) - but at least this HH-101A looks the part! (opposed to the HH-139A which is pretty ugly.)

Can't wait to see images of it with the refuelling kit fitted. Will that be an optional feature, to be installed when required, or does anyone know if the HH-101A will have permanent refuelling capability in AMI service?

Very interesting to see that the AMI is also moving away from the old MINIMI 5.56mm machine guns (HH-3F) and MG42/59 machine guns (AB-212ICO) and installing M134 mini-guns on the new HH-101A!