AgustaWestland announced several AW139 orders and an AW189 milestone at Paris 2013. The Finmeccanica company (Chalets A232, A260) signed a contract for the sale of its first AW139 medium twin-engine helicopter in Senegal. The contract includes in-country support services and training for both aircrew and maintainers. The helicopter will be operated by Senegal’s air force.

A U.S.-based corporate operator ordered two AW139s. This follows the sale of two other AW139s to two U.S. corporate customers in March. More than 30 AW139s are now in service or on order by customers based along the corridor between Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, the AW189 eight-tonne class helicopter has entered full-scale production at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy. Two offshore-configured aircraft are now on the final assembly line. EASA certification is expected this summer, with these first offshore AW189s to be delivered by year-end.

Using six aircraft, the AW189 flight-test program has amassed more than 1,500 flight hours. The PP6 aircraft flew for the first time in May; it is being used for the development of search-and-rescue configurations and mission kits.