Portuguese Air Force EH-101 first flight

“DATE: 16/12/2003
NEWS: Danish And Portuguese EH101s Perform Concurrent Maiden Flights

The first production EH101Helicopters for Denmark and Portugal made their maiden flights from AgustaWestland’s plants at Yeovil, UK and Vergiate, Italy respectively on 12th December, marking an important milestone achievement for these contracts. The aircraft for Portugal and Denmark will be cleared to operate at 14,600 kg (32,186 lb) all up mass with an alternative all up mass of 15,600 kg (34,392 lb).
This one ton increase in all up mass translates into an equal
increase in useful load for the EH101, further improving its already
impressive load lifting capabilities. The aircraft features the new
generation EH101 cockpit display system, comprising six large
integrated display units (IDUs) and two integrated standby instrument systems (ISIS). Portuguese and Danish pilots will commence flight training on the EH101s prior to the first deliveries to Portuguese and Danish Air Forces in 2004. The Danish Government awarded a contract for 14 EH101’s for search and rescue and utility roles in September 2001. This was followed in December 2001 by the announcement of Portugal’s decision to purchase 12 EH101’s for SAR, Combat SAR and fishery protection.

Amedeo Caporaletti, Chief Executive Officer of AgustaWestland
commented – “We have achieved a nine month programme from start of build to first flight on these new EH101 variants – marking an excellent achievement towards delivering the aircraft to our
customers on time. The EH101 was selected by both customers after a series of rigorous evaluations alongside the Sikorsky S-92 and NH90 and we look forward to the EH101 entering service with the Air Forces of Denmark and Portugal.”

The standard EH101 helicopter for Portugal and Denmark represents the base standard being proposed by Lockheed Martin for the US Presidential Flight. EH101, the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter available today, is built to operate in all weather conditions and has a range in excess of 750 nautical miles, which makes it ideal for SAR, CSAR and transport missions. The EH101 entered service in 1998 and is now operated by the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Italian Navy, Tokyo Metropolitan Police and the Canadian Forces. The Governments of Denmark, Portugal and Japan have also
ordered 14, 12 and 14 aircraft respectively. The EH101 fleet has
accumulated over 45,000 flying hours by late 2003, with 146 aircraft ordered and over 90 aircraft in service.”

Pedro Figueiredo