AgustaWestland AW101 (previously: EC101) is a transport and multi-role helicopter of British-Italian production from modern times. The flight of the prototype took place in 1987, and the machine reached full combat readiness in 1997-1999. The helicopter - in the Merlin HM1 version - has a total length of 19.53 meters, and the diameter of its main rotor is 18.59 meters. The drive is provided by three Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM332-01 engines with a capacity of 2,100 HP each. Its maximum speed in horizontal flight reaches approx. 310 km / h. The helicopter has a classic layout with a single main rotor and a propeller on the tail boom.
Work on the machine, now designated AW101, began in the late 1970s, when both the British and Italian Navy concluded that they needed a replacement for the slowly aging Westland Sea King machines. The result of the talks was the creation in 1979 of a special consortium to lead to the creation of a new machine. After many years of work and research, a complicated and heavy machine was created, but it had a very extensive avionics, a large range and characterized by a long service life. It should be added, however, that the implementation of machines to the line was not free from problems, which, however, were systematically - although often delayed - resolved. Currently, AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters are operated, among others, by: Denmark, Canada, Japan, Italy and Great Britain. Poland is also to be the user of this type of machines.