Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) has entered into contracts with Leonardo for maintenance services for the Norwegian fleet of SAR Queen / AW101 Search & Rescue helicopters in the period 2022-2026. The agreements cover logistics services to be delivered from KAMS headquarters at Kjeller, as well as maintenance services to be delivered to the SAR bases at Sola, Ørland, Bodø, Banak, Florø, and Rygge when the SAR Queen helicopters gradually will replace the Sea King helicopters. The contracts have a total value of approximately 260 MNOK and represent a continuation of a framework agreement for maintenance services entered into in 2016.
“We are pleased with the continued trust from Leonardo, which enables us to contribute to the high operational availability of the Search & Rescue Service in Norway, as we have done for the past 50 years. We look forward to further developing the collaboration with Leonardo and the Search & Rescue Service in Norway in the years to come, “says Atle Wøllo, President of Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services.
The Leonardo AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use. First flown in 1987, it was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requirements for a modern naval utility helicopter. The AW101 is named SAR Queen in the Royal Norwegian Air Force service. The first AW101 was delivered in November 2017. The Norwegian AW101s officially started operating in the rescue role on 1 September 2020. The Sea Kings will be phased out gradually until the middle of 2023, after 47 years of service.
KONGSBERG performs services on key dynamic helicopter components: main, tail, and intermediate gearboxes, main and tail rotor heads, and drive shafts.KONGSBERG carries out work on the following components for Sea King, AW101, and NH-90: Main Gear Box, Main Rotor Head, Accessory Gearbox, Intermediate Gear Box, Tail Gear Box, Tail Rotor Head, and Drive Shafts. Previously, KONGSBERG has participated in the F-16 program with production and maintenance of Adapter Penguin MK3 missile, Air Circulation Equipment (Cooling Turbine), Brake & Anti-Skid System. KONGSBERG has also been involved in the maintenance of the following artillery: L70 Anti-Aircraft Gun and 20 mm Anti-Aircraft Gun.
