AB 212
Agusta-Bell · Italy · first flew 1971 · transport aircraft
The Agusta-Bell 212 is an Italian licence-built twin-engine development of the Bell 212, widely operated by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern armed forces in utility, naval, and electronic-warfare roles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin-engine nose hump above a wide Huey-family fuselage with distinctive twin exhausts |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine nose hump above a wide Huey-family fuselage with distinctive twin exhausts
- Two-blade semi-rigid main rotor with wide chord blades inherited from the UH-1N
- Skid undercarriage and large sliding cabin door on naval and utility variants
Broader, more powerful-looking nose compared to the single-engine Bell 205/UH-1H — the twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3 Twin Pac creates a characteristic double-hump engine bay. Naval AB 212ASW versions carry a chin-mounted search radar and torpedo rails. The two-blade teetering rotor and tall tail boom with single tail rotor on the starboard side are classic Huey family traits.
Specifications
- The AB 212 has a length of 17.4 m (57 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.63 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 196 km/h (122 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Agusta of Italy began licence production of the Bell 212 in the early 1970s, first flying the AB 212 in 1971. Italy's navy adopted a navalised AB 212ASW variant with search radar, dipping sonar, and torpedoes; this became the primary ship-based helicopter of the Italian, Turkish, Greek, Iranian, and several other navies through the Cold War decades. Over 600 examples were produced across all marks.
Variants
AB 212 utility transport; AB 212ASW anti-submarine and surface-search naval variant with Sea Killer missiles; AB 212EW electronic-warfare version operated by Italy.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the armed forces of Italy, Turkey, Greece, Iran, Venezuela, Peru, Spain, and others. Italian Navy AB 212ASWs routinely deployed on frigates for ASW screening in the Mediterranean. Iran's large AB 212 fleet was acquired before the 1979 revolution and maintained in service for decades.
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