Tiltrotor Meeting Final Hurdles Before Commercial Service

Leonardo’s Philadelphia plant is currently building the first two production AW609s. The company hopes to make its first delivery this year.
Credit: Leonardo
Could 2020 finally be the year the commercial tiltrotor enters the market? Seventeen years after first flight of the aircraft formerly known as the Bell-Agusta BA609, now the AW609, manufacturer Leonardo seems more optimistic than ever about the timelines. Prototype AC4 took to the air on Dec. 23...
Tony Osborne

Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines.

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