Anti-sub helicopters capable of disaster response missions

MANILA -- Aside from detecting, hunting and if necessary sinking hostile submarines, the Philippine Navy (PN)’s two newlyacquired AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters are capable of doing tasks aimed at the preservation of human life especially in times of disasters.

This was stressed by Navy spokesperson Captain Jonathan Zata Thursday when asked what other missions can the AW-159s can do aside from its military missions.

“Secondary roles of the

AW-159 include humanitarian assistance and disaster response operation/searchand-rescue(HADR/SAR) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC),” he added in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

Such capabilities are considered very welcome as the PN is one of the first responders in times of calamities.

The two anti-submarine helicopters were commissioned into PN service last June 17, more than a month after these arrived in the country last May 7.

Zata said the two “Wildcat” helicopters will be deployed aboard the two Jose Rizal-class missile frigates, being constructed by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries and scheduled for delivery in 2020.

The aircraft were acquired for PHP5.4 billion including its munition, mission essential equipment and integrated logistic support.

The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.

The helicopter has been ordered for the Royal Navy and British Army. It is capable of speeds of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one-and-a-half hours (four hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks).

The AW-159s can also be armed with rockets, machine guns, missiles, torpedoes and depth charges and fitted with modern sonar systems for tracking down submarines.