(Alliance News) - Leonardo Spa has announced that it has been awarded a contract worth CAD1 billion or EUR690 million by the Canadian Department of National Defense and through Leonardo UK Ltd - Yeovil, for the AW101/CH-149 SAR Search and Rescue "Cormorant" helicopter fleet modernization and expansion program.

An additional three units will be added to the 13 Cormorants dedicated to search and rescue currently in service and undergoing modernization, expanding the fleet to a total of 16 aircraft.

This contract will enhance the performance of the helicopters' systems and technologies, ensure compliance with the latest and future airspace regulations, extend fleet operations through 2042 and beyond, and enable the return of Cormorant helicopters to their main base of operations in Trenton.

After 20 years of honored operational service, the CH-149 Cormorant fleet will benefit from a modernization project proposed by Team Cormorant, a partnership between Leonardo and its main Canadian subcontractor IMP Aerospace and Defence, along with GE Canada and Collins Aerospace Canada, the company explains in a note.

Most of the modernization program activities will be carried out in Canada, mainly at IMP.

The modernization program will bring Canada's fleet of AW101/CH-149 SAR "Cormorant" helicopters to the highest standards of operational capability, the same standards that characterize Norway's AW101 SAR, by far the best search and rescue helicopters in the world. The program will include: state-of-the-art avionics, a new digital cockpit, more powerful engines, wireless cockpit communications, the latest standard of search and rescue sensors including an electro-optical system and one for locating cell phones.

These capabilities will reduce the time needed for search and increase rescue capability.

Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo, said, "We are proud to be leading, together with our Team Cormorant partners, the modernization of the AW101/CH149 SAR "Cormorant" helicopter fleet, as announced by the Canadian government. The Cormorant is the ideal helicopter for the Canadian government to meet the requirements of its Armed Forces, with important returns for Canadian industry and the best economic benefits for its citizens."

Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, said, "The AW101/CH-149 "Cormorant" helicopter fleet will provide the Canadian Air Force with robust and technologically advanced search and rescue capabilities to operate in all weather conditions throughout Canada. The modernization program, through Team Cormorant, will reduce the cost of operating the fleet while further enhancing its reliability, capabilities and safety for the benefit of Canadian citizens."

Leonardo, Friday, trades in the green by 0.7 percent at EUR7.97 per share.

By Chiara Bruschi, Alliance News reporter

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