AEROMEDIA
The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)

Agusta AB 412EPs under delivery to the Royal Saudi Air Force

The first Agusta Bell AB 412EP helicopters for the Royal Saudi Air Force are undergoing final acceptance trials at the manufacturer factory in Northern Italy. In 1998 the Middle-East country ordered 44 Bell 412EPs, with a tight delivery schedule. The production was shared between Bell Helicopters U.S.A. (24 aircraft) and Agusta in Italy (20 aircraft manufactured under licence). In particular the Italian company is providing sixteen AB 412EPs in search and rescue configuration, four AB 412EPs fitted for VIP transport duties, services, spares, training devices and three years of maintenance in Saudi Arabia for the fleet.
The Bell 412EP (Enhanced Performance) is a medium transport helicopter with 5,4 ton of maximum gross weight. Powered by a Pratt & Whitnet PT6T-3D Twin-Pac delivering 1,194 kW at max continuous power, it is able to carry 13 passengers and 2 pilots, or 4,000 lbs of cargo, up to 400 nautical miles. The RSAF configurations integrate the state of the art cockpit, avionics, mission systems and equipments. The RSAF order confirmed the success scored by the Italian helicopter industry in Saudi Arabia during the last 30 years.

Agusta Bell AB 412EP serial 4402 for the Royal Saudi Air Force during an acceptance flight, autumn 2002. (Aeromedia)

(Aeromedia, October 2002)