First AW101 for Norway makes its maiden flight
 

Volo inaugurale per il primo dei 16 elicotteri AW101 destinati al governo norvegese - DETTAGLIO - Finmeccanica

Finmeccanica announced today the first of 16 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters for the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MoJ) successfully performed its maiden flight at its Helicopter Division’s Yeovil factory in the UK on 21st March 2016.

The successful on-schedule maiden flight marks a major milestone and the start of the flight test programme that will lead to initial aircraft deliveries to the MoJ, for operation by the Royal Norwegian Air Force, in 2017. Aircraft deliveries will continue through to 2020.


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...pskdq920l4.jpg

(photo courtesy of Finmeccanica)

Looking at the press pictures of the first flight I was wondering about two things I've never seen on another 101. I am aware that NAWSARH includes quite a number of gadgets, maybe connected to a synthetic vision system or communications aerials? Can anyone shed some light?

#1 small sponsons on either side of the nose
#2 white aerial or cover on port chin

http://i.imgur.com/v3ilO19.jpg

Luftforsvaret OT&E presentation 20150921

AW101-612 – KEY SA FEATURES

OBSTACLE DETECTION
Laser Obstacle Warning System
Obstacle Proximity LiDAR
Integrated Synthetic Vision

The laser obstacle warning system should be SELEX LOAM as far as I know, fitted in the nose just below the forward radar.

I could imagine #1 being two of three sensors of the additional 360° obstacle proximity LIDAR (rotating heads for horizontal plane coverage), with #2 being a fairing for the enhanced/synth vision cameras? I can't see any lenses or optical windows at the front of the fairing, though.

Hi,
#1 as already suggested are the sensors for the obstacle detector.
#2 is the glide slope antenna. It can be seen also on the Danish EH101.

Most excellent - thank you both :ok:

My pleasure Praet :) , just to add, looking at Rockwell Collins brochures the synthetic vision system is data based and doesn't require a camera.