Prototype of Leonardo AW249 Flies

[NutLoose]

Prototype of Leonardo AW249 did maiden flight, a fast compare with one of the latest render published. 1st of all what thought was a "bigger AW129", have a completly different fuselage, note the grid on engine air intakes and the bump on tail attack, that seems to be a radome.

https://twitter.com/CiroNappi6/status/1562098130459496449

[chopper2004]

From the avitionist

cjeers


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/678x381/967769ef_7620_4cd6_8097_936ba3c0cfe2_89a869173176d3c3df259d0 0917d696fe2695f35.jpeg

[chopper2004]

https://theaviationist.com/2022/09/14/new-photos-of-the-new-aw249-emerge/?fbclid=IwAR1_eecxBH3lC_V5ohujq0EN0qPDD03poseJOahlfo-SC9ysI-bPncLnMNI


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x719/ff61d114_7169_403e_ae35_f10944583f1f_b3eee01fbc8c30f3c894e9a 11c811aa1de4caf35.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x719/177de216_fd95_4bc3_a359_2baf76231861_ea748d7cc5fab25d4b5b8f7 63acb7a5695a1dadd.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x682/28567db3_8991_4674_a247_008dee26b46a_0b6e3634e06be8ce18d5120 a119b3c38a3b64b5b.jpeg

[henra]

https://theaviationist.com/2022/09/14/new-photos-of-the-new-aw249-emerge/?fbclid=IwAR1_eecxBH3lC_V5ohujq0EN0qPDD03poseJOahlfo-SC9ysI-bPncLnMNI


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x719/ff61d114_7169_403e_ae35_f10944583f1f_b3eee01fbc8c30f3c894e9a 11c811aa1de4caf35.jpeg


What really strikes me with the design are the huge panorama side windows. Bullet proof glass is normally much heavier than regular armour (assuming they are bullet proof -otherwise I wouldn't want to be sitting there that open on a 'garden chair'). And an Attack Helicopter is usually attacking targets towards the forward arc and avoiding overflying targets and getting attacked from the sides or rear.
Can someone enlighten me? Why are these huge side windows a good idea?

[[email protected]]

They will probably install armoured seats on the production models.

[SASless]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x400/1663521813_a25e3856ef0cb18edf18c87d5d20635246b029e0.jpeg


Here is the Standard for Western Attack Helicopters AH-64 Apache.


The USMC AH-1W Super Cobra.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1620x1016/1516392342710_screenshot2018_01_19at11_48_01am_8888b3f41d92a ce50f9df2bc4b2ab8e3e41b3fc7.png

[henra]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x400/1663521813_a25e3856ef0cb18edf18c87d5d20635246b029e0.jpeg

Here is the Standard for Western Attack Helicopters AH-64 Apache.

That was basically why I was asking that question. The windows of the Apache are much smaller and tailored around the required visibility, and the seats are protecting much of the crew's bodies. At an angle of 45° from below there won't be much left to hit unprotectedly.
In case of the AW249 if you cover all that open space with seat armour still the question remains why putting heavy and vulnerable (and reflecting) windows in the first place and then blocking view with seat side walls? On the other hand there is a massive frame in the upper corners, limiting visibility when in NoE flight at speed. Window layout of the AW249 appears to me quite counter- intuitive for an attack helicopter.

[JohnDixson]

The cockpit armored seats on the UH-60 have side wings on the outboard side of each seat, that can be slid forward, providing ballistic protection for ones torso from side shots, I'd be very surprised if the Apache doesn't have similar.as it has the same customer. Have no information re how AW does ballistic protection: what standards they use.