A twin-engine AW139 helicopter assembled in Russia at HeliVert, a joint venture between Russian Helicopters and Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland, successfully completed its maiden flight, and a second AW139 is due to be in operation by next month.
The AW139 remained in the air for 37 minutes during a Dec. 19 test run at a Moscow region helicopter plant in the town of Tomilino, Russian Helicopters said in a statement on Tuesday.
It passed a series of scheduled tests approved by Russia's aviation authorities and is undergoing a further flight test program, the statement said.
Russian Helicopters said its Tomilino plant is one of the most advanced of its kind in Russia and that its goal is to meet growing demand in the domestic and CIS markets.
It expects to produce up to 20 such helicopters annually and employ more than 100 people at the plant once maximum output is reached.
The multipurpose AW139 is being assembled in locally under an agreement signed at a November 2008 ceremony attended by then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and then-Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The AW139 is used by armed forces, search-and-rescue teams and private individuals in countries from Italy to Malaysia. It has a maximum cruising speed of more than 300 kilometers per hour and can fly for up to five hours without refueling.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
