The three S-92s and nine AW189s will be joined by six AW139s in the UKSAR2G contract.
Bristow Helicopters has been awarded a 10-year contract to provide the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) with “Second Generation Search and Rescue Aviation (UKSAR2G). The contract worth a reported GBP 1.6bn calls for the company together with partners 2Excel Aviation and Nova Systems to provide both rotary and fixed wing as well as UAS operations to HM Coastguard (HMCG). Under the terms of UKSAR2G the partners will initially provide rotary wing assets made up of the existing fleet of three S-92s and nine AW189s these will be augmented by a further six AW139s. In addition to the existing 10 24/7 bases, two further seasonal bases, in Carlisle and Fort William will be opened operating 12 hours a day. The contract also calls for six Beech King Airs and a single deployable Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS.
Besides the airborne assets Bristow will also provide a new search and rescue helicopter simulation training facility at Solent Airport next to the Coastguard Training Facility, which will house a synthetic rescue hoist and helicopter suspended over a large training pool. “We are very pleased with the MCA’s trust in Bristow to continue to provide safe and reliable search and rescue services with our crews to help save lives throughout the United Kingdom,” said Bristow President and CEO Chris Bradshaw. “Through this new, innovative contract, Bristow and our partners will increase efficiencies and innovations as well as establish additional seasonal bases to further expand our service.”
