Leonardo U.K. has been awarded a contract for up to $1.168 billion for helicopter upgrades and to increase the CH-149 fleet size from 13 to 16 helicopters to support the national 24/7 SAR service. A second contract, worth $78 million (taxes included), went to Montreal-based global simulator giant CAE for the training solution. [node:read-more:link]
The RCAF’s 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing Comox on Vancouver Island, has been recognized by the U.K.-based Honourable Company of Air Pilots for its efforts during last year's devastating floods in British Columbia. AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant helicopter crews airlifted 311 persons, 26 dogs and a cat stranded on a highway between landslides in south-central B.C. [node:read-more:link]
In early December, after a prolonged search, the government announced the purchase of 16 Airbus C295 aircraft for the search and rescue role. Ruben Perez, an engineering professor at RMC said the Airbus aircraft's ability to spend more time in a search area was a key attribute in its selection. [node:read-more:link]
An RCAF CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopter from 103 SAR Squadron at 9 Wing Gander in central Newfoundland crashed at low speed and altitude on a training flight today. The six-member crew of the AgustaWestland aircraft were taken to hospital but four were released. Images show the fuselage on its side, missing its tail and rotor. [node:read-more:link]
Canada is being urged by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares to resume the search, weather permitting, for 12 crewmembers missing after a 50-metre trawler sank Feb. 15 off Newfoundland. The search, which involved two RCAF aircraft and a Coast Guard vessel, was called off late Feb. 16. Three crewmembers were rescued and the bodies of nine others were found at the site about 460 kilometres east of St. John's. [node:read-more:link]
The RCAF’s new fleet of 16 Airbus CC-295 search-and-rescue aircraft, built in Spain and originally scheduled to become operational last year, will not be in service this summer. DND spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier says certification and qualification are “running longer than anticipated as a result of the volume and complexity of the work . . . and the global COVID-19 pandemic situation” [node:read-more:link]
BAE Systems and British drone manufacturer Malloy Aeronautics have joint ranks to develop an electric quadcopter capable of transporting up to 300kg. As displayed at a London trade show, it would be capable of carrying stores, weapons, sensors and even a life raft for marine search and rescue with a proposed range of more than 30km. [node:read-more:link]
The Department of National Defence and NATO confirmed 30 April that an RCAF Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter serving with a NATO task force in the Mediterranean had crashed the previous evening. Greek media say that it had taken off from the frigate HMCS Fredericton with up six persons and that one body had been recovered. NATO has not released crew details but DND says it has contracted all “primary family” members of those who were aboard.” [node:read-more:link]
The RCAF marked the arrival of the first aircraft of its future fixed-wing search and rescue fleet. The new fleet will be called Kingfisher. The CC-295 Kingfisher fleet will be based at four locations across Canada, in Comox, Trenton, Greenwood, and Winnipeg. The aircraft will arrive in phases as crews are trained in turn at each location. [node:read-more:link]
Canadian and U.S. Canadian search and rescue helicopter crews lifted 31 seafarers from a sinking scallop dragger off Nova Scotia March 3. The Atlantic Destiny had reported that it begun taking on water in large seas after catching fire. [node:read-more:link]
10 May update: Partial remains of second crew member, Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald, have been identified after CH-148 Cyclone accident. A repatriation ceremony for all six Canadian Armed Forces members killed at sea in a helicopter crash, took place on 6 May 2020. Read original story and updates here. [node:read-more:link]
A Canadian Cyclone helicopter deployed on HMCS Fredericton has gone missing while on a NATO exercise with allies off the western coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea. DND has confirmed that a search and rescue mission is underway at this time. [node:read-more:link]
Purchased by the Government of Canada for the RCAF fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft replacement program, the new aircraft showed off its final livery today. The bright yellow paint scheme provides high visibility for those in the air and on the ground. [node:read-more:link]
Provincial Aerospace and Airbus Defence and Space sign letter of intent to explore the extension of their relationship beyond the Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue program. From left: Simon Jacques (Airbus Defence and Space, Canada), Pablo Molina (Airbus Defence and Space Military Aircraft Canada), Derek Scott (Provincial Aerospace) and Richard Poole (Provincial Aerospace) sign a letter of intent to facilitate the exploration of extending their relationship internationally. [node:read-more:link]
Airbus Defence and Space has ordered two additional Full Flight Simulators for the C295 medium transport and surveillance aircraft. One device will be located at the company's International Training Centre in Spain, and the other with an undisclosed C295 operator. The deal will support the rapidly growing number of C295s in service worldwide and brings number of C295 simulators purchased from CAE to six. [node:read-more:link]
