Nova Systems has selected the Smith Myers ARTEMIS mobile phone location and communications system for its airborne mission system, which will be fitted onto the helicopter fleet deployed on the UK second-generation SAR programme (UKSAR2G).
The new 10-year contract will build on the existing UK Maritime Coast Guard Agency (MCA) programme with additional fixed-wing and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) services by installing ARTEMIS across the fleet of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. The new solution led by Bristow will ensure the continuation of critical lifesaving search and rescue aviation services across the whole of the UK.
“ARTEMIS is a fully UK-developed-and-produced technology, which has been recognised by the Royal Aeronautical Society with its Silver Medal Award,” said Andrew Munro, Managing Director, Smith Myers.
Bristow will provide a mixed fleet of six King Airs and a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAS, in addition to changing the composition of the rotary fleet, which will instead use a fleet of 18 helicopters consisting of nine AW189s, three S-92s as well as six new Leonardo AW139s.
“Everyone at Smith Myers is looking forward, with great pride, to ARTEMIS leading to more rapid, positive Search and Rescue outcomes for the UK MCA,” added Munro.
