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 built 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.

QinetiQ operates a wide variety of types as part of the Empire Test Pilots school including a single AW139. The ETPS was established in 1943 and was the first test pilots' school in the world and has the motto “Lear to test, test to learn”. Their QAW139 has been modified to train pilots in a variety of different scenarios they may experience when testing experimental aircraft.

QinetiQ will be providing their AW139 for static display at RIAT 2025.

Photo Credit: Duncan Chase