# AgustaWestland

> 2000-2015 helicopter manufacturer in Europe

**Wikidata**: [Q398878](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q398878)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/agustawestland

## Summary
AgustaWestland was a European helicopter manufacturer operating from 2000 to 2015, formed through the merger of Italian company Agusta and British company Westland Helicopters. The company was headquartered in Rome and Samarate, Italy, and became a subsidiary of Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica) in 2016.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2000 through the merger of Agusta (1908-2000) and Westland Helicopters (1961-2000)
- Dissolved on December 31, 2015, and became part of Leonardo
- Generated revenue of €4.243 billion with 13,050 employees
- Developed and manufactured numerous helicopter models including the AW101, AW139, AW109, and AW149
- Headquartered in Rome, Italy, with operations in Samarate, Italy
- Related to Sikorsky helicopters including the S-51 Dragonfly, S-58, and S-61
- Created the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft in partnership with Bell
- Developed the A129 Mangusta attack helicopter
- Associated with Westland Lynx helicopter family
- Connected to Timothy Peake, British Army Air Corps officer and astronaut

## FAQs
**What was AgustaWestland's business focus?**
AgustaWestland was a helicopter manufacturer specializing in the design, development, and production of military and civilian helicopters. The company operated in the aerospace industry, producing various helicopter models for different applications including transport, utility, attack, and search and rescue missions.

**Who owned AgustaWestland?**
AgustaWestland was owned by Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica), an Italian defense, security, and aerospace company. Leonardo acquired AgustaWestland and integrated it into its operations in 2016.

**Where was AgustaWestland located?**
AgustaWestland was headquartered in Rome, Italy, with significant operations in Samarate, Italy. The company also had connections to Yeovil/Westland Airport in Somerset, England, reflecting its British heritage through Westland Helicopters.

**What happened to AgustaWestland?**
AgustaWestland operated from 2000 to 2015 and was dissolved on December 31, 2015. The company's assets, operations, and helicopter product lines were integrated into Leonardo, which continues to manufacture helicopters under its own brand.

**What helicopter models did AgustaWestland produce?**
AgustaWestland produced numerous helicopter models including the AW101 (multi-role), AW139 (utility), AW109 (utility), AW149 (military), AW119 Koala (utility), AW159 Wildcat (military), and the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft. The company also continued production of legacy models like the A129 Mangusta attack helicopter.

## Why It Matters
AgustaWestland represented a significant consolidation in the European aerospace industry, combining two historic helicopter manufacturers with complementary strengths. The merger brought together Agusta's expertise in civil helicopter design with Westland's military helicopter capabilities, creating a more competitive global player in the aerospace sector. The company's products served critical roles in military operations, emergency services, corporate transport, and offshore oil and gas industries worldwide. Its dissolution and integration into Leonardo marked a strategic shift in how major aerospace companies organize their helicopter divisions, while preserving the technological innovations and product lines developed during AgustaWestland's operational period.

## Notable For
- Merging two historic helicopter manufacturers: Agusta (founded 1908) and Westland Helicopters (founded 1961)
- Developing the AW101, a versatile medium-lift helicopter used by multiple military forces globally
- Creating the AW609 tiltrotor aircraft, a unique hybrid between helicopter and airplane capabilities
- Continuing the legacy of the Westland Lynx, which held the world helicopter speed record
- Producing the A129 Mangusta, Italy's first domestically designed attack helicopter
- Maintaining operations across multiple European countries, bridging Italian and British aerospace expertise
- Employing over 13,000 people at its peak, making it a significant employer in the aerospace sector
- Generating billions in revenue through helicopter sales to military and civilian customers worldwide

## Body
### Formation and History
AgustaWestland was established on January 1, 2000, through the merger of Agusta and Westland Helicopters. This strategic combination united Agusta's Italian helicopter manufacturing expertise, dating back to 1908, with Westland's British aerospace heritage from 1961. The merger created a stronger European competitor in the global helicopter market, combining complementary product lines and technological capabilities.

### Corporate Structure and Ownership
The company was headquartered in Rome, Italy, with major operations in Samarate, Italy. It operated as a subsidiary of Leonardo (formerly Finmeccanica), an Italian multinational defense, security, and aerospace company. Leonardo, founded in 2016, employed 62,762 people across various industries including defense, security, aerospace, and industrial sectors.

### Product Portfolio
AgustaWestland developed an extensive range of helicopter models serving both military and civilian markets. The AW101 was a medium-lift, multi-role helicopter used for military transport, search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare. The AW139 served as a versatile utility helicopter for corporate transport, emergency medical services, and law enforcement. The AW109 family provided light twin-engine helicopters for various applications. The company also produced the AW149 for military use, the AW119 Koala for utility missions, and the AW159 Wildcat for naval operations.

### Notable Developments
The AW609 tiltrotor aircraft represented a significant innovation, combining helicopter vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with airplane speed and range. Developed in partnership with Bell Helicopter, this aircraft could take off and land like a helicopter but fly like a turboprop airplane. The company also continued production of the A129 Mangusta attack helicopter, originally developed by Agusta, which served as Italy's primary attack helicopter.

### International Connections
AgustaWestland maintained strong connections to the global aerospace industry through various partnerships and relationships. The company's helicopters were related to Sikorsky models including the S-51 Dragonfly, S-58, and S-61, reflecting the interconnected nature of helicopter development. The AW101 was developed into the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel variant for the U.S. Marine Corps presidential helicopter program.

### Legacy and Impact
Although AgustaWestland operated for only 15 years, its impact on the helicopter industry was substantial. The company's products continue to serve in military forces, emergency services, and commercial operations worldwide. Its integration into Leonardo preserved the technological innovations and product lines while streamlining operations under a unified corporate structure. The merger demonstrated the importance of consolidation in the aerospace industry to achieve economies of scale and compete effectively in global markets.

### Related Entities and Ecosystem
The helicopter manufacturing ecosystem included various related entities and predecessors. Agusta, founded in 1908, brought over 90 years of helicopter design experience. Westland Helicopters, established in 1961, contributed British aerospace expertise and the successful Lynx helicopter family. SIAI-Marchetti, an Italian aircraft manufacturer from 1915 to 1983, represented another piece of Italy's aviation heritage. The ecosystem also included major competitors like Bell Helicopter, with models such as the Bell 206, 412, and 47, and Boeing Vertol's CH-47 Chinook military transport helicopter.

### Technical Specifications and Capabilities
While specific technical details for each model are extensive, AgustaWestland's helicopters generally featured advanced avionics, composite materials, and versatile mission capabilities. The company's products ranged from light single-engine helicopters to medium-lift twin-engine aircraft, with maximum takeoff weights varying from approximately 2,800 kg for the AW109 to over 15,000 kg for the AW101. Engine configurations typically included turboshaft engines from manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney Canada and Turbomeca.

### Geographic Reach and Operations
AgustaWestland's operations spanned multiple European countries, reflecting its multinational heritage. The company maintained facilities in Italy for final assembly and manufacturing, while also preserving connections to its British roots through the Yeovil/Westland Airport location. This geographic diversity allowed the company to serve customers across Europe and globally while maintaining strong ties to both Italian and British aerospace industries.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013