Leonardo, June 27, 2017 - Rome - Leonardo Helicopters and IMP Aerospace & Defence (IMP) are pleased to announce the addition of three key Canadian industrial partners that have joined Team Cormorant, to support the modernization of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of EH101/CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters and potential expansion of the fleet through the conversion of AW101-519 helicopters.
Joining Leonardo Helicopters, the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the EH101 and AW101 helicopters, and IMP, the Prime Contractor for Cormorant In-Service Support, are some of Canada’s premier aerospace companies: CAE, GE Canada and Rockwell Collins in Canada. Other key Canadian companies will also join team Cormorant in the near future.
CAE would provide its world-class training systems integration capability; GE Canada is the OEM for the T700-T6A1 engines in the Cormorant and for the CT7-8E engines installed on the AW101-519 helicopters; and Rockwell Collins will provide its advanced Cockpit Display System.
The Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade (CMLU) and Conversion Program proposed by Team Cormorant will create a fleet of the world’s most advanced and capable Search and Rescue helicopters which will be able to continue to meet RCAF’s Search and Rescue mandate through to 2040 and beyond in the most cost-effective manner. Team Cormorant recognizes Canada’s new Defence Policy published June 7, 2017, setting out Canada’s defence requirements for the next 20 years, includes search and rescue operations as a “Core Mission”.
Canada’s Defence Policy importantly commits funding for the CMLU. Team Cormorant affirms its full support to Canada for the CMLU to deliver the requirements detailed in the Defence Policy.
“The addition of CAE, GE Canada and Rockwell Collins further strengthens the industrial footprint of Team Cormorant in Canada and will help it deliver the most significant value proposition to Canada” said Daniele Romiti, Leonardo Helicopters’ Managing Director. “The CMLU will build on the capability of the Cormorant upgrading the CH-149 avionics suite to deliver enhanced performance to operate in all weather conditions.”
“IMP Aerospace & Defence has provided full turn-key In Service Support to the CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue fleet since its entry into service in the early 2000’s. The CH-149 fleet is actively operated by the RCAF across Canada delivering essential life-saving missions to Canadians in distress. The fleet has clocked more flight hours than any other AW101 fleet in the world and now requires an upgrade to ensure continued cost effective service into the future.” said David Gossen, President of IMP Aerospace & Defence. “This fleet enhancement will provide cost effective continuing service to the RCAF, enhance mission capabilities and extend Cormorant availability to central and northern Canada.”
About Leonardo: Leonardo is among the top ten global players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and Italy’s main industrial company. As a single entity from January 2016, organised into seven business divisions (Helicopters; Aircraft; Aero-structures; Airborne & Space Systems; Land & Naval Defence Electronics; Defence Systems; Security & Information Systems), Leonardo operates in the most competitive international markets by leveraging its areas of technology and product leadership. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), at 31 December 2016 Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of 12 billion Euros and has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the UK, the U.S and Poland. Leonardo has also an established presence in Canada through DRS Technologies Canada and Tactical Technologies.
About IMP Aerospace & Defence: IMP Aerospace & Defence is a full service aerospace and defence organization with over 65 years of experience serving both national and international customers in the aerospace, naval, and land sectors. The organization comprises six operations with over 2,400 engineering, technical and support staff across Canada specializing in a diversified line of manufacturing, engineering and In Service Support services.
About CAE: CAE is a global leader in training for the defence and security, civil aviation and healthcare markets. Each year, CAE trains more than 120,000 civil and defence crewmembers and thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide. CAE has been Leonardo’s long-time training partner on the EH-101/AW-101 helicopter platform, and currently trains Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant aircrews at the company’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility in the United Kingdom.
About GE Canada: GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry.
About Rockwell Collins: Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a leader in aviation and high-integrity solutions for commercial and military customers around the world. Every day we help pilots safely and reliably navigate to the far corners of the earth; keep warfighters aware and informed in battle; deliver millions of messages for airlines and airports; and help passengers stay connected and comfortable throughout their journey. As experts in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, cabin interiors, information management, mission communications, and simulation and training, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of products and services that can transform our customers’ futures.
Joining Leonardo Helicopters, the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the EH101 and AW101 helicopters, and IMP, the Prime Contractor for Cormorant In-Service Support, are some of Canada’s premier aerospace companies: CAE, GE Canada and Rockwell Collins in Canada. Other key Canadian companies will also join team Cormorant in the near future.
CAE would provide its world-class training systems integration capability; GE Canada is the OEM for the T700-T6A1 engines in the Cormorant and for the CT7-8E engines installed on the AW101-519 helicopters; and Rockwell Collins will provide its advanced Cockpit Display System.
The Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade (CMLU) and Conversion Program proposed by Team Cormorant will create a fleet of the world’s most advanced and capable Search and Rescue helicopters which will be able to continue to meet RCAF’s Search and Rescue mandate through to 2040 and beyond in the most cost-effective manner. Team Cormorant recognizes Canada’s new Defence Policy published June 7, 2017, setting out Canada’s defence requirements for the next 20 years, includes search and rescue operations as a “Core Mission”.
Canada’s Defence Policy importantly commits funding for the CMLU. Team Cormorant affirms its full support to Canada for the CMLU to deliver the requirements detailed in the Defence Policy.
“The addition of CAE, GE Canada and Rockwell Collins further strengthens the industrial footprint of Team Cormorant in Canada and will help it deliver the most significant value proposition to Canada” said Daniele Romiti, Leonardo Helicopters’ Managing Director. “The CMLU will build on the capability of the Cormorant upgrading the CH-149 avionics suite to deliver enhanced performance to operate in all weather conditions.”
“IMP Aerospace & Defence has provided full turn-key In Service Support to the CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue fleet since its entry into service in the early 2000’s. The CH-149 fleet is actively operated by the RCAF across Canada delivering essential life-saving missions to Canadians in distress. The fleet has clocked more flight hours than any other AW101 fleet in the world and now requires an upgrade to ensure continued cost effective service into the future.” said David Gossen, President of IMP Aerospace & Defence. “This fleet enhancement will provide cost effective continuing service to the RCAF, enhance mission capabilities and extend Cormorant availability to central and northern Canada.”
About Leonardo: Leonardo is among the top ten global players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and Italy’s main industrial company. As a single entity from January 2016, organised into seven business divisions (Helicopters; Aircraft; Aero-structures; Airborne & Space Systems; Land & Naval Defence Electronics; Defence Systems; Security & Information Systems), Leonardo operates in the most competitive international markets by leveraging its areas of technology and product leadership. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), at 31 December 2016 Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of 12 billion Euros and has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the UK, the U.S and Poland. Leonardo has also an established presence in Canada through DRS Technologies Canada and Tactical Technologies.
About IMP Aerospace & Defence: IMP Aerospace & Defence is a full service aerospace and defence organization with over 65 years of experience serving both national and international customers in the aerospace, naval, and land sectors. The organization comprises six operations with over 2,400 engineering, technical and support staff across Canada specializing in a diversified line of manufacturing, engineering and In Service Support services.
About CAE: CAE is a global leader in training for the defence and security, civil aviation and healthcare markets. Each year, CAE trains more than 120,000 civil and defence crewmembers and thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide. CAE has been Leonardo’s long-time training partner on the EH-101/AW-101 helicopter platform, and currently trains Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant aircrews at the company’s Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility in the United Kingdom.
About GE Canada: GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry.
About Rockwell Collins: Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a leader in aviation and high-integrity solutions for commercial and military customers around the world. Every day we help pilots safely and reliably navigate to the far corners of the earth; keep warfighters aware and informed in battle; deliver millions of messages for airlines and airports; and help passengers stay connected and comfortable throughout their journey. As experts in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, cabin interiors, information management, mission communications, and simulation and training, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of products and services that can transform our customers’ futures.
See also |
CH-149 Cormorant in
Canadian Armed Forces AgustaWestland VH-71 Kestrel
AgustaWestland UK 
Rockwell Collins IMP Aerospace & Defence Cormorant Fleet to be Expanded with VH-71
Go Ahead for CH-149 CMLU Upgrade Program
Leonardo Awarded Canadian CH-149 CMLU Upgrade
