Hmmm. Not the ideal place for the gun.

How does it compare to H175 or Blackhawk?

Looks like the air vent on the door opens outwards...?

The standard AW139 window hatch opens inwards, but there is a 25kt restriction on use. It’s not really designed for use as a vent because the A/con is excellent.

No doubt we will pay extra to have the Aircon removed

Significant difference with the types shown ? - the stuff you see strapped to the Black Hawk - they're not for 'show' - they have already gone through extensive trials and approvals and in current use with fellow operators on the battlefield. The other guys? - If they ever get near a battlefield - they'll be on their own.....and late.

Might have mentioned this previously, but with the new blades I inquired as to whether the 23mm ballistic tests were repeated and they were.Same test requirement since the A model. Also for instance had to build a drop test structure for the main fuel tank. Had to have all the structure surrounding the tank. Fill up the tank. Get a crane and lift the whole thing to 65 ft and drop it. No leaks allowed.
These design features are just two of a long list.

Is that not a Direct Vision ( DV) window, not an air vent?, in case the windscreens get obscured for any reason, birdstrikes, oil, shattered screen, smoke etc, to aid in getting it down onto the ground, low enough not to cover the pilots face in say oil or whatever is obscuring his vision, while still allowing him to visually look out.
I would also say it has folded inwards, the reflection is over the seal area, if it had folded out the seal would not have a reflection across it.

Good to see they are still following in the tradition of putting the bloody flag on the wrong way round!


..

I take it the AW149 can accommodate a load hatch / pole?

As of now this is PR hot air as no countries (notably not France) have ordered any H175M helicopters.

For another stat, Airbus have not yet delivered 50 H175s, Leonardo have delivered more 120 AW149/189s and Sikorsky over 5000 Blackhawks

I assume the GFS 175s are Ms in all but name?

hell - I hope not!!
If they are then that will explain why no other military has purchased them.

That is also because Airbus never have offered the 175M up till now. The 5000 blackhawks tells you it is a good but very old military helicopter…😉

Keeps the door clear for entry/egress.

Nobody will know until the government have rammed it down the crews necks and the back or neck injury claims start coming in. The only 139's out there with similarly positioned weapons restrict crew to inside but I would view window size the same.

Interesting point re a 50 year old type in the Blackhawk. Surely that is not an issue given sales backlog in USA, and comparing F15, C130 and CH47 all selling whilst being as old or older. Is it a bad thing?

‘aiming’ 😂
Thanks for that, not laughed so much in ages 🤗

Have Leonardos actually got the people to design and build the AW149? I’m told that the technical team at Yeovil have been loosing a lot of staff due to other companies in the south west offering higher salaries and the lack of career development of engineers. If this is true then this must be a major risk to them achieving the IOC, etc?

Huey gunners had no problems what so ever, mind you it was tropical weather. The set up photographed above is not fit for purpose, I'm inclined to say it's a joke introduced to impress those who have absolutely no idea, look it's got a gun. Not going to be feeding a new belt in in a hurry.

....and younger than the F-16 ;-)
Generally age is not an issue with a chopper unless you have some 'lifed' carbon composite components in the airframe.
As the Black Hawk and Chinook are proving on a daily basis - a purpose-built, proven military design, with updated avionics, DAS etc has so much more to offer the operator - including benefits of 'economies of scale' and supportability with similar types in the field.

USAF 56 Rescue used to share our hangar on visits so I got many chances to look at their Pavehawks. The gunner works from a seat inside the aircraft. The aircraft has a two-part sliding door that moves forward to provide a slightly wider and much deeper opening than shown on this 149. The gun pivot, on which several weapon types can be fitted, is closer to the fuselage than shown on this 149. M2 was usually fitted on the Pavehawks I was in or up close to. In most of their arcs no more than the Gunner's forearms would be outside the aircraft. Might need to lean out to fire forward. There are also quite a few videos on youtube of H-60 gunnery. What's this about aiming?

Overall, that AW149 set-up looks like the result of, "Oh sh1t, we need a gun on it. If I can find a gun can you mount it on there by tomorrow lunchtime?"