Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. today announced that it has received a contract from AgustaWestland to supply rugged flight recorders for use on the new AW169 rotorcraft. The Curtiss-Wright Controls Avionics & Electronics (CWC-AE) division flight recorder products will provide data acquisition and "black box" Accident Data and Voice Recorder functions on the helicopter. Under the initial contract, shipments of data recorder units for flight-testing of the AW169 started during the first quarter of 2012. Series product shipments are expected to commence in 2013.

"We are very proud that AgustaWestland has chosen our flight recorder technology for use on the AW169 rotorcraft," said David Adams, Co-Chief Operating Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. "This is the first CWC-AE technology deployed on this exciting new platform and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with AgustaWestland in support of this helicopter. This flight recorder's lightweight design, small footprint and flexibility for mounting directly to the airframe make its installation simple and convenient without adding significant weight or compromising valuable space with equipment racks or anti-vibration mounts."

The Curtiss-Wright Controls Penny + Giles business unit, part of the CWC-AE division, is manufacturing the products covered by this agreement at its facility in Christchurch, UK. The products are being shipped to AgustaWestland in Vergiate, Italy.