Italy moves to procure third batch of 29 AW249 helicopters
The €1.22 billion (US$1.41 billion) follow-on order for the additional helicopters will complement the 19 AW249 already ordered by Italy.
Canadian FWSAR programme progresses
Canada’s Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement (FWSAR) programme has progressed with the Aircraft Maintenance Trainer (AMT) aircraft travelling to the country.
The aircraft is not one of the 16 aircraft procured under the FWSAR project; it will be used to instruct technicians on the removal and installation of various aircraft parts and components, and other aspects of hands-on maintenance before they conduct work on operational aircraft.
The first standard Canadian version of the aircraft, which will be fully equipped to perform search and rescue (SAR) missions, will begin arriving in Canada later this year. The fleet will be based out of the future SAR training centre at 19 Wing, Comox, BC.
When the maintenance trainer arrives in Comox, it will be disassembled and reassembled inside the new training centre, which is a keystone step in building the maintenance training programme.
In addition to the aircraft maintenance trainer, the new SAR training centre will house a variety of training devices including full-motion flight simulators and sensor station simulators.
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