Italsystem collaborates with Leonardo on the continuous development of the AW169.
AW169 project
“Next-generation versatility
Unveiled to the public on 19 July 2010 during the 47th Farnborough International Air Show, the helicopter was immediately seen as a competitor to the Eurocopter EC 145 and the Eurocopter Dauphin. The AW169 is designed to have a maximum take-off weight of 4800 kg, which puts it in an intermediate position between the smaller AW109, an 8-seat helicopter with 3400 kg, and the larger AW139, a 15-seat helicopter with 7000 kg. This meets the growing demand for a new-generation helicopter in the light-intermediate category that combines excellent performance with unrivalled range and safety. Particularly versatile, the AW169 tackles the toughest conditions with best-in-class performance. The availability of an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), the only helicopter in its class to take advantage of this, also ensures that equipment is available even when the rotors are stationary, as well as increased safety on the ground.”
Missions and Features
Rescue and medical intervention service;
Since 2017, the AW169 is deployed in the EMS role at the Pescara, Ancona, Fabriano, Messina and Pantelleria bases
Public safety services;
To cope with new threats, law enforcement agencies are called upon to operate in increasingly advanced ways. The AW169 is a unique and versatile vehicle that enables law enforcement professionals to intervene quickly in ever more diverse and challenging missions.
Servizi per il settore energetico;
L’AW169 è conforme agli standard più rigorosi previsti dagli operatori e dai clienti del settore offshore. Sulla scia del comprovato successo dell’AW139, l’elicottero può trasportare fino a otto passeggeri in un abitacolo confortevole e sicuro, riducendo al minimo i tempi di volo e offrendo prestazioni superiori in tutte le condizioni.
[Source: https://helicopters.leonardo.com/it/products/aw-169]
Contributi di Italsystem al progetto AW169
Italsystem contributes to the verification and validation phases of the AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System), from the preparation phase of the verification environment to the production of the artefacts to be presented during the audit phase, passing through the testing and verification of the various components of the development chain.
The AFCS is the system operating to control aircraft, whether fixed-wing or mobile, consisting of innumerable interacting subsystems (dependent on the aircraft configuration) and enabling the pilot to fly by reducing the workload, increasing flight safety, or in extreme cases, allowing precision manoeuvres impossible for the pilot. The AFCS can be schematised, in a macro-block view, as a system composed of a subsystem that acquires flight parameters, a subsystem that acquires commands from the pilot/copilot, a subsystem responsible for computing the control parameters, and a series of actuators that perform the operations downstream of the computation.
The basic functions of the AFCS include:
- FD (Flight Director)
- AP (Autopilot)
- SAS (Stability Augmentation System)
Thanks to an in-depth knowledge of Aviation, regulatory constraints and a solid engineering background, Italsystem is proud to contribute to the AW169 project and support its development for the following activities:
- Support in all phases of DO-178B certification
- Implementation of the necessary artefacts for certification according to DO-178B
- Selection of the best approach for the software verification cycle
- Training of employees for DO-178B certification
- Analysis of system requirements
- Full-service verification and validation for the AFCS system
- Independent Verification and Validation (MIL, HIL , SIL & PIL)
- Maintenance and updates of customised tools
- Critical analysis and trouble shooting