July 12, 2015:
Italy recently received the first of a dozen HH-101A helicopters for use with special operations forces. These are modified AW-101s. These were ordered in 2010 and modified with additional electronics to enable night operations. In-flight refueling gear was also installed so the HH-101As can go on very long missions. The HH-101As are to be used for transporting special operations troops on missions as well as for delivering supplies, retrieving casualties and, it was implied, for fighting other helicopters (once armed with air-to-air missiles). The AW/HH-101s are 15 ton medium transport helicopters. AW-101s can carry five tons of cargo or up to twenty passengers. Top speed is 300 kilometers an hour and endurance is about four hours on internal fuel (much longer with inflight refueling.)