This page - Basic information, model kits, stamp
Page 2 - Avionics, painting and marking, callsigns and numbers
Page 3 - General information concerning Agusta A-109
Page 4 - Engines
Page 5 - Helicopters for evaluation and tests
Page 6 and 7 - The Visby Corvettes - Mother Ships for HKP 15B (Sea Based Operations)

HKP 15 is based on Agustas’ well-know A-109 design. The Italian manufacturer uses the designation A109LHUS (Light Utility Helicopter System) for the new concept. It is ordered by the Swedish Armed Forces in two variations:

HKP 15A for land based operations. 12 helicopters purchased.

HKP 15B for sea based operations. This version is capable of operating with the Swedish Navy’s Visby Class corvettes and can be based on board. 8 helicopters purchased.

Two helicopters were based at Malmen for evaluation and tests in the end of 2002. These machines had a simpler instrumentation than the ordinary serial helicopters. These two interim helicopters was returned to Agusta when the serial deliveries  started in 2006.

The main missions are:

- Passenger transports
- Tactical transport of troops and material
- Underwater surveillance
- Ambulance transports
- Search and Rescue
- General crew training
- Tactical crew training


The helicopter in its basic configuration takes for two pilots and six passengers. It can easily and quickly be adapted for its mission by fitting suitable internal and external equipment depending on the situation. Typical missions are, as mentioned above, troop transports, including the fitting of armament and descent ropes or carrying out underwater surveillance. During the later missions the helicopter will be using a thermal imaging camera and data link, often in co-operation with a Visby corvette. For sonar buoy operations or search and rescue missions, winch, searchlight and stretchers would be fitted. Mission-specific equipment outfits can also be combined in several other ways.

Compared with older version of Agusta A-109, some modernizations and additions may be mentioned:

- New engines (2 x 797 hp Turbomeca Arrius 2K2)
- Improved rotor hubs and new tail rotor -Increased start weight
- Fuselage modified to adapt for the Visby class corvettes
- New nose shape to fit radar (Honeywell 701A)
- Stronger landing gear
- Larger space for pilots
- Crash- and ballistic protection in fuel tanks and seats
- Modified hydraulic and fuel systems
- Data link for sonar buoy
- Fast rope/rappelling
- Searchlight SX-16 with IR-filter and laser pointer
- FLIT (Infrared camera)
- Armament with machine gun (KSP58)
- Retractable landing wheels. Inflatable landing gear for naval operation.
- Stretchers
- NVG (Night Vision Googles)
- Complete glass cockpit (read more on next page)
 

Photos

Top: - Helicopter # 15036 at airshow, Air Force Wing F 7 at Såtenäs, Sweden. This helicopter was delivered in April 2008 to the Helicopter Wing at Malmen and was the first of version HKP 15B. Photo May 2009.

Bottom: Photo by Robert Westerberg of helicopters 15025 and 15027 from July 2009. These HKP 15A were delivered in 2006 to the Heliopter Wing. 

Length 11,00 m. Height 3,5 m. Beam: 2,88 m. Rotor dia.11,0 m. MTOW 3.175 kg. Cruising speed: 270 km/h. Maximum speed 310 km/h.

Revell has made injection moulded plastic model kits of in two variants - the civil ambulance helicopter A-109 K2 REGA (Switzerland), kit 04448, and the military version A-109 KM (South African markings), kit 04456. Scale 1:72. With some changes, both can be used to build a Swedish HKP 15. Swedish decals are needed. Click on thumbnails for larger images.

Stamp issued in 1981 depicting an Italian A-109 belonging to Arma dei Carabinieri - the national gendarmerie of Italy. Today this force is a branch of the Italian armed forces. The force has during the recent years participated in peacekeeping missions (for example in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq).

© Lars Henriksson

Updated: 2010-07-14