Helikopter - AW101 vist i Italia i CSAR rollen

Ikke noe står om radaren, men som du ser er det ikke noen synlig antenne. Det er å anta at radaren er av samme type som de norske får, nemlig en skrogmontert AESA radar bestående av fire paneler.

Italian Air Force Shows Off HH-101A “Caesar”

  By James T. McKenna

Italy’s air force introduced dignitaries and the media to its HH-101A “Caesar” special operations helicopter in ceremonies June 19 at Cervia air base, about 40 miles south of Venice.

An HH-101A Caesar. Image courtesy of AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland customized the Caesar, which is based on its AW101, to air force specifications for a multi-mission, medium-lift platform. Delivered to the 15th Wing based at Cervia, the HH-101A will provide air support for special operations and conduct personnel recovery and search and rescue missions.

An AW101, the basis for the HH-101A Caesar. Photo courtesy of AgustaWestland

Air force officials said the helicopter also will be used to intercept slow-moving aircraft. Fitted for an air-to-air refueling kit, it also may be deployed abroad to support operations beyond Italy’s borders.

The HH-101A is designed to carry as many as five crewmembers and 20 fully equipped troops, or six crewmembers and eight special forces troops. It has M134 7.62 mm miniguns installed on right and left sides and on the rear ramp; armored cockpit seats; ballistic protection for machine gun operators and critical systems; and an integrated electronic warfare system for protection against radar, laser and infrared threats.

The 15th Wing’s 81’s Search and Rescue Training Center operates AW139s and AgustaWestland-built Sikorsky Aircraft HH-3Fs. Its 641st Communication Flight flies NH-500Es (MD500 Defenders built under license).