Leonardo AW149
AgustaWestland / Leonardo · Italy · first flew 2009 · helicopter
The AW149 is a military medium helicopter developed by AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) to fill the gap between medium-utility and heavy-lift categories, emphasising combat resilience and versatility.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Military medium-lift helicopter with angular fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Military medium-lift helicopter with angular fuselage
- Four-blade main rotor with composite blades
- Retractable tricycle undercarriage with sponson stubs
Distinguished from the AW139 by its larger, squarer fuselage, twin-engine cowlings with exhaust suppressors, and the optional stub wings for external stores.
Specifications
- The Leonardo AW149 has a length of 17.57 m (58 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.6 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 310 km/h (193 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 pilots + up to 18 troops.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Emerging from a 2006 British military requirement, the AW149 first flew in November 2009 and attracted significant export interest. Thailand became the first operator in 2015, followed by Egypt and Poland.
Variants
The AW149 is offered in troop transport, combat search and rescue, and naval versions; the related civilian AW189 shares much of the same dynamic system.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Thailand, Egypt, and Poland; selected by Poland in a major 2022 contract to replace Mi-8/Mi-17 fleets, with no UK operational service.
Related aircraft
- AW101 Merlin HM.2
- AW101 Merlin HC.3
- AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat
- Airbus Helicopters H175
- Airbus Helicopters Eurocopter X³
- Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.