Add caption AgustaWestland has won the Norwegian All Weather SAR Helicopter Contract for 16 AW101 helicopters plus support and training,...
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AgustaWestland has won the Norwegian All Weather SAR Helicopter Contract for 16 AW101 helicopters plus support and training, valued at approximately £1 billion (€1.15 billion). The contract also includes an option for six further aircraft.
AW101 is one of the world’s most advanced and capable search and rescue helicopter available today featuring a large cabin, over 1,300 km range, high cruise speed, all weather operating capability, high reliability and safety.
The AW101 benefits from three-engine safety, a full ice protection system for flight in known icing conditions, long range and endurance, a proven 30 minute “run dry” gearbox as well as multiple redundancy features in the avionic and mission systems.
Aircraft deliveries to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, who will fly and operate the helicopters, will start in 2017 and continue through to 2020. The aircraft will be assembled at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK.
The aircraft will be equipped with an advanced SAR equipment package including a multi-panel AESA surveillance radar system from Selex ES that provides 360° coverage, 4-axis digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), two rescue hoists, searchlight, electro optical device and a fully integrated avionics and mission system. The large cabin doors and rear ramp provide easy access for personnel, survivors and equipment into the 27 m3 cabin which has stand-up head room throughout.
As part of the contract, a fifteen year “turnkey” support solution will be delivered, comprising spares and technical support and training services, with an option for it to be extended for a further five years.
AgustaWestland will provide initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and aircrew training. It will then provide performance based logistic support to deliver approximately 90,000 flying hours across the fleet of 16 helicopters over the initial 15 year period. In support of pilot training a full flight simulator will be available in Norway in 2016 in advance of the delivery of the first aircraft.
AW101in SAR role is in service with the Royal Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Danish Air Force and Portuguese Air Force.
