Leonardo Helicopters – AW169 – Italsystem s.r.l.

AW169 project

Italsystem collaborates with Leonardo on the continuous development of the AW169.

Presented to the public on 19 July 2010 during the 47th Farnborough International Air Show, the helicopter was immediately considered a competitor to the Eurocopter EC 145 and the Eurocopter Dauphin.

The AW169 is designed to have a maximum take-off weight of 4 800 kg, which places it in an intermediate position between the smaller AW109, an 8-seat helicopter with 3 400 kg, and the larger AW139, a 15-seat helicopter with 7 000 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.

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Particularly versatile

L’AW169 affronta le condizioni più difficili con prestazioni al vertice della categoria

Availability of an auxiliary power unit (APU)

The only helicopter in its class to take advantage of this, it also ensures the availability of equipment even when the rotors are stopped, as well as increased safety on the ground.’

Italsystem contributions to the AW169 project

Italsystem contributes to the verification and validation phases of the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) From the preparation phase of the verification environment to the production of the artefacts to be presented in 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 made up 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 operations downstream of the computation

Basic functions of the AFCS

FD (Flight Director)
AP ( Autopilot)
SAS (Stability Augmentation System)

Supported activities

Support at all stages of DO-178B certification
Implementation of the artefacts required for certification according to DO-178B
Choosing the best approach for the software verification cycle
Employee training 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;

Rescue and medical intervention service

As of 2017, the AW169 is deployed in the EMS role at the Pescara, Ancona, Fabriano, Messina and Pantelleria bases

Public safety services. To cope with the new threats, law enforcement agencies are called upon to operate in increasingly advanced ways.

The AW169 is a unique and versatile vehicle that allows law enforcement professionals to quickly intervene in ever-changing and challenging missions.

Services for the energy sector. The AW169 meets the most stringent standards expected by operators and customers in the offshore industry.

Building on the proven success of the AW139, the helicopter can carry up to eight passengers in a comfortable and safe cockpit, minimising flight time and offering superior performance in all conditions.