Tiltrotor AW609. Source and images: Leonardo Press Release
The Italian tiltrotor AW609, the latest innovation from AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of the machinery conglomerate Leonardo, successfully completed its first landing and takeoff from the deck of the Italian Navy’s aircraft carrier Cavour.
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According to a statement released by the Leonardo conglomerate, the tests demonstrated that the AW609 can operate in adverse conditions, including at sea, and perform both civilian and military missions.
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Before executing the landing and takeoff on the aircraft carrier’s deck, the entire process was meticulously perfected with the help of a special virtual simulator. Leonardo revealed that practice in the simulator was crucial to evaluate and optimize maneuvers that would later be performed in real life.
The landing and takeoff procedures were practiced under 15 different conditions, including various wind situations, frontal and lateral approaches, as well as vertical landings and takeoffs.
These tests represent the final stage of joint efforts between the Leonardo conglomerate and the Italian military to assess the potential of tiltrotor aircraft, marking a significant advancement in both military and civil aviation.
The AW609 is a multifunctional tiltrotor developed jointly by engineers from Bell Helicopters and AgustaWestland, utilizing technical solutions that emerged during the development of the XV-15.
Source and images: Leonardo Press Release Leonardo. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
