Features Military SAR
AAR Airlift brings military expertise to SAR

AAR
Airlift Group has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of
Defence to deliver search and rescue services in the Falkland
Islands, and will use a mix of two AW189s and two Sikorsky S-61s. The
MOD’s existing fleet is comprised of Sea Kings and commercial
S-61s.The AW189s will be delivered by the end of 2015 to support crew
and personnel familiarization and will achieve operational readiness
in spring 2016. AgustaWestland will also supply a comprehensive 10
year package of support and training services.

The
event marks a further significant success for the new generation
AW189 helicopter for search and rescue requirements, following the
contract for 11 aircraft of the same type to meet the UK search and
rescue requirement replacing the iconic Sea King helicopters. An
established US Department of Defense service provider, AAR Airlift
Group is now awarded its first contract by a European defence
ministry. The AW189s will be operated out of Mount Pleasant Airfield
on the South Atlantic islands with flight operations support from
subcontractor British International Helicopters (BIH), performing
missions in harsh environmental conditions where modern design and
enhanced capabilities, extended range/endurance, and latest safety
standards are key to demanding SAR mission accomplishment.

“We
are leveraging AAR Airlift Group’s experience in austere
environments to expand into the offshore SAR market,” said David P.
Storch, Chairman & CEO, AAR Corp. “Based on our expertise in
civil and military aviation operations, AAR has developed an advanced
commercial SAR program that will be well served by the
state-of-the-art AW-189.”

The
AW189 8.3 / 8.6 ton, the latest helicopter produced and equipped by
AgustaWestland to undertake SAR missions, builds on the Company’s
heritage and expertise in search and rescue worldwide. The AW189,
designed to meet the growing demand for modern long range, high
capacity and endurance capabilities, has become the outright market
leader in its class with over 130 units sold including framework
contracts and options. The AW189 helicopter is part of
AgustaWestland’s family of new generation helicopters that also
includes the all new AW169 and the best selling AW139. These
helicopters all possess the same high-performance flight
characteristics and safety features whilst sharing a common cockpit
design philosophy. This approach facilitates synergies for operators
of these models in areas such as training, maintenance and support.
The AW189 benefits from a modern maintenance and training approach,
advanced HUMS (Health Usage Maintenance System) technology and an
ever expanding global network of service and spare parts centres.