AgustaWestland facts for kids
AgustaWestland was a large company that made helicopters. It was a joint company from both the United Kingdom and Italy. AgustaWestland designed and built many types of helicopters. These helicopters were used for both civilian (non-military) and military purposes. The company had factories in both Italy and the United Kingdom. Its main office was in Samarate, a town in Lombardy, Italy.
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What AgustaWestland Did
AgustaWestland was known for making many different kinds of helicopters. They built helicopters for various jobs. These included helicopters for search and rescue missions. They also made helicopters for police forces and medical transport. Many countries around the world used their military helicopters. These were used for transport, combat, and surveillance.
Types of Helicopters They Made
The company produced a wide range of helicopters. Some were small and fast. Others were large and could carry many people or a lot of cargo. Each helicopter model was designed for specific tasks. For example, some were built for flying in tough weather. Others were made to be very quiet.
Civilian Helicopters
AgustaWestland made helicopters for everyday use. These were bought by companies and governments. They were used for things like:
- Transporting people to offshore oil rigs
- Taking important people on business trips
- Helping with emergency medical services
- Supporting law enforcement operations
Military Helicopters
The company also built helicopters for armed forces. These military helicopters had special features. They were designed to be strong and reliable. Military helicopters made by AgustaWestland were used for:
- Carrying soldiers and equipment
- Performing reconnaissance (looking for information)
- Engaging in combat missions
- Helping with naval operations from ships
Where AgustaWestland Was Based
AgustaWestland had important locations in two countries. These were Italy and the United Kingdom. Having factories and design centers in both places helped the company grow. It allowed them to work with different experts.
Italian Operations
In Italy, AgustaWestland had a strong presence. Many of its design teams were there. They also had large factories. These factories built many parts of the helicopters. They also put the helicopters together.
United Kingdom Operations
The United Kingdom was also a key location. AgustaWestland had important facilities there. These included research and development centers. They also had production lines. The UK teams worked on different helicopter models.
History of AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland was formed in the year 2000. It was created when two companies joined together. These companies were Finmeccanica S.p.A. from Italy and GKN plc from the United Kingdom. They decided to combine their helicopter businesses. This made them one of the biggest helicopter makers in the world.
Becoming Part of Leonardo
AgustaWestland operated as a joint venture for many years. Then, in 2016, a big change happened. The Italian company Finmeccanica bought out GKN's share. This meant Finmeccanica owned all of AgustaWestland. Finmeccanica later changed its name to Leonardo S.p.A.. So, AgustaWestland became a division within Leonardo. It is now known as Leonardo Helicopters.
Images for kids
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Qinetiq AgustaWestland AW109E Power arrives for the 2014 Royal International Air Tattoo, England
See also
In Spanish: AgustaWestland para niños
