Leonardo AW139

The Leonardo AW139 is a 15-seat medium helicopter which first flew in 2001. The AW139 has found success as a corporate transport helicopter and began operational use in 2003. The type has also gained a strong military reputation and has been ordered by a number of air forces including the Irish Air Corps. Boeing also build a version of the AW139 under licence called the MH-139A Grey Wolf which has replaced the UH-1N in US Air Force service as a security patrol helicopter for nuclear missile launch facilities.

After receiving their first pair of helicopters in 2006, the Irish Air Corps currently operates a fleet of six AW139s. The fleet are used for a variety of roles including Army support, Air Ambulance, Military Transport and other General Utility tasks. Depending on the role, the Irish Air Corps can equip their AW139s with door-mounted general-purpose machine guns. All six helicopters are based at Casement Aerodrome in Dublin.

The 3rd Operations Wing of the Irish Air Corps are once again sending one of their AW139s for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo.

Photo Credit: Kev Storer