AgustaWestland AW101/EH101
The EH101 project began as a potential replacement for the Sea King/SH-3 helicopter. The Sea King/SH-3 was operated by both the Royal Navy of the UK and the Italian Navy as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter.
The UK and Italian governments determined that a new helicopter, fulfilling the needs of both countries, could be delayed under a cost-sharing arrangement in which the design and manufacturing costs should be split 50-50 between both countries. Initially, the management of the design and development program was managed under the auspices of European Helicopter Industries (EHI), a company set up specifically by the partner companies for this role.
The aircraft was designed from the outset to be multi-role for both military and civil operations.
The program resulted in nine pre-production prototypes, each dedicated to the development of a specific configuration and/or role for the aircraft.
The EH101 has subsequently been re-designated as the AW101 after a number of company changes, which resulted in the ’AW’ brand, and the Type is now managed by Leonardo of Italy.
Type Description
The EH101 project began as a potential replacement for the Sea King/SH-3 helicopter. The Sea King/SH-3 was operated by both the Royal Navy of the UK and the Italian Navy as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter.
The UK and Italian governments determined that a new helicopter, fulfilling the needs of both countries, could be delayed under a cost-sharing arrangement in which the design and manufacturing costs should be split 50-50 between both countries. Initially, the management of the design and development program was managed under the auspices of European Helicopter Industries (EHI), a company set up specifically by the partner companies for this role.
The aircraft was designed from the outset to be multi-role for both military and civil operations.
The program resulted in nine pre-production prototypes, each dedicated to the development of a specific configuration and/or role for the aircraft.
The EH101 has subsequently been re-designated as the AW101 after a number of company changes, which resulted in the ’AW’ brand, and the Type is now managed by Leonardo of Italy.
Family Tree
*No Variant assigned
AW101-100
AW101-400
AW101-500
EH101 Pre-Production Prototypes
Milestones Associated with the AgustaWestland AW101/EH101
October 9, 1987
EH101 (prototype PP1):
First flight of the prototype (PP1) of the EH Industries EH101 Type Series
March 21, 2016
AW101-612 NAWSARH:
First flight of AgustaWestland AW101-612 for Norwegian Air Force
