A-109 Hirundo

Notes: The Hirundo (Swallow) is an Italian helicopter available in military, civilian, and police versions. The helicopter's wheels are fully retractable. Variations include troop transport, EW aircraft, scout/attack, and antitank. The Hirundo has no aerial refueling capability, and has no ejection seats.

The A-109 was the initial production version. It is a basic light transport helicopter. The A-109EOA is the military version of that helicopter. Agusta then produced a new version, with a "wide-body" cabin, composite-construction rotor, improved transmission, and slightly lighter weight. The A-109BA was produced for one of the few export customers of the Hirundo, Belgium. The A-109BA has the ability to fire TOW ATGM.

The A-109K was produced with exports to Africa and the Middle East in mind. However, these never materialized, so they went to Italian use. The A-109KM has more powerful engines and greatly upgraded avionics in a lengthened nose. The A-109 Power is the current production version; it is used Italy and by the US Coast Guard, who flies them armed for drug interdiction. (In the US Coast Guard, they are known as the MH-68.) MH-68s also have a rescue hoist with a capacity of 204 kg. The A-109 Power is equipped with a computer-controlled glass cockpit, automatic direction finder and GPS,

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

A-109EOA

$118,200

AvG

907 kg

2.72 tons

2+6

6

None

Enclosed

A-109CM

$119,528

AvG

907 kg

2.71 tons

2+8

6

None

Enclosed

A-109BA

$122,422

AvG

907 kg

2.72 tons

2+8

6

None

Enclosed

A-109KM

$405,203

AvG

950 kg

2.85 tons

2+8

6

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification

Enclosed

A-109 Power

$1,019,166

AvG

1.27 tons

3 tons

2+6

14

FLIR, Image Intensification

Enclosed

MH-68

$1,529,736

AvG

1.27 tons

3.13 tons

2+6

16

FLIR, Image Intensification, Radar

Enclosed

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Mnvr/Acc Agl/Turn

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Ceiling

A-109EOA/BA

622

156

40/39

700

324

6095

A-109CM

624

156

40/39

700

324

6095

A-109KM

659

165

40/41

700

544

6095

A-109 Power/MH-68

622

156

35/39

870

517

5970

Vehicle

Combat Equipment

Minimum Landing/Takeoff Zone

RF

Armament

Ammo

A-109EOA/CM

None

40m

+1

2 Hardpoints

None

A-109BA

None

40m

+2

2 Hardpoints

None

A-109KM

Inertial Navigation, RWR

40m

+2

2 Hardpoints

None

A-109 Power

GPS, Inertial Navigation, RWR

40m

+3

2 Hardpoints

None

MH-68

GPS, Inertial Navigation, RWR, LWR, Flare/Chaff Dispensers, IR Suppression

40m

+3

2 Hardpoints

None