According to Defense-aerospace.com, the Italian Air Force unveiled its new aircraft to the media on June 19, on Cervia Air Base. The HH-101A helicopter, which has now been dubbed Caesar, was developed by AgustaWestland according to the specific requirements of the Air Force in order to meet a requirement for a medium-sized rotary wing aircraft to perform a number of roles: Air Support to Special Operations (SAOS), Personnel Recovery (PR), Search and Rescue (SAR), with the additional capability, when required, of Slow Mover Interceptor (SMI).
The aircraft and all its logistic support component, including equipment and materials, are especially suited for deployment, even outside the country, in National Operations Outside Borders (Operazioni Fuori Confini Nazionali – OFCN).
The HH-101A Caesar helicopter is fitted with the latest-generation avionics. Among its main features, the aircraft has high reliability and a great ease of maintainability, as well as excellent survival features, including crash protection. Its performance is the result of modern technology, and in this respect Caesar will have a very long range (including a probe for in-flight refueling), and excellent maneuverability.
The air force’s 15th Wing guarantees, 24 hours 24, 365 days a year, the search and rescue flight crew in difficulty. It also contributes to public service missions such as finding people lost at sea or in the mountains, medical transport of emergency patients at risk of life, and relief of severe trauma. Since its establishment, the crews of the 15th Wing have saved approximately 7,000 people in life-threatening situations.
The AW101 is a flexible multi-mission platform with extensive provisions to conduct a diverse range of primary and secondary roles. The capabilities of the platform allow many of these missions to be conducted simultaneously through the use of modular role equipment and rapid reconfiguration within the cabin.
The AW101 Combat Search and Rescue is capable of performing a wide range of peacetime and conflict roles including:
- Casualty / Medical Evacuation;
- Medical Treatment / Transfer;
- Special Forces Operations;
- Surveillance Operations;
- Internal / External Cargo Movements;
- Disaster Response & Relief;
- Passenger Transit;
- Fire Fighting Support.
AgustaWestland provide an extensive range of additional role kits to further expand the capabilities of the AW101.
Characteristics
| Dimensions | |
| Length Overall | 22.83 m/ 74 feet 11 inch |
| Overall Height | 6.66 m/ 21 feet 10 inch |
| Rotor Diameter | 18.60 m/ 61 feet 0 inch |
| Engine Ratings (3 × CT7-8E) | |
| Take-off Power (5 min) | 3 × 1,884 kW/3 × 2,527 shp |
| Intermediate (30 min) | 3 × 1,855 kW/3 × 2,488 shp |
| Max Continuous | 3 × 1,522 kW/3 × 2,041 shp |
| OEI (One Engine Inoperative) 2 Minute Rating | 2 × 1,880 kW/2 × 2,522 shp |
| OEI Continuous Rating | 2 × 1,855 kW/2 × 2,488 shp |
| Transmission Ratings | |
| Max Take-off power (2.5 min) | 4,161 kW/5,580 shp |
| Intermediate (30 min) | 3,955 kW/5,304 shp |
| Maximum Continuous | 3,715 kW/4,982 shp |
| Maximum Contingency OEI | 3,096 kW/4,152 shp |
| Maximum Continuous OEI | 2,774 kW3,720 shp |
| Fuel Capacity | |
| Standard Internal Fuel Tanks | 5,135 L/1,357 USG |
| Small USG (US liquid gallon) Auxiliary Fuel Tank | 649 L/171 USG |
| Large USG Auxiliary Fuel Tank | 1,389 L/367 USG |
| Weights | |
| Maximum Gross Weight | 15,600 kg/34,390 lbs |
| Empty Weight | >5,500 kg/>12,125 lbs |
| Maximum External Load | 4,536 kg/10,000 lbs |
| Seating | |
| Cockpit / Cabin | 2 / 25+ crashworthy |
| All Engines Operating Performance (MGW), ISA | |
| Maximum Cruise Speed (SL – MCP) | 150 knots/172.6 mph/277 km/h |
| Rate of Climb (SL – MCP) | 1,680 feet/min/8.5 m/s |
| Service Ceiling | 4,570 m/15,000 feet |
| Hovering In Ground Effect (IGE) | 3,307 m/10,850 feet |
| Maximum Range (All Engine Cruise)* | 735 NM/846 miles/1,363 km |
| Maximum Range (Twin Engine Cruise)* | 810 NM/932 miles/1,500 km |
| Maximum Endurance (Twin Engine Cruise)* | 6 hours 50 min |
| ISA+20 Hovering IGE | 2,420 m/7,950 feet |
| ISA+35 Hovering IGE | 1,325 m/4,350 feet |
| One Engine In Operative Performance (MGW), ISA | |
| Forward Rate of Climb (MCP) | 800 feet/min/4.06 m/s |
| Service Ceiling (MCP) | 3,108 m/10,200 feet |
| ISA+20 Service Ceiling (MCP) | 2,270 m/7,460 feet |
| ISA+35 Service Ceiling (MCP) | 1,220 m/4,000 feet |
* No reserves, standard fuel tanks, 6,000 feet/1,829 m cruise
