AW139 / AW101 SAR Workshop in Malta

Leonardo, May 10, 2022 - On April 29, in Valletta, Malta, Leonardo completed his first search-and-rescue (SAR) workshop.

The event ran from April 26-29 and gathered international operators, industry representatives, and institutions to highlight advancements in lifesaving rotorcraft capabilities and technologies.

The SAR workshop was deemed a major success by guests and contributors. The workshop was attended by around 90 participants from 11 countries in the Mediterranean area, and also included 12 helicopter operators and six partners.

Five aircraft comprised of Italian and Maltese operators (including AW139/AW139M and AW101 types) were on static display and conducted demos.

The main focus was on SAR operational experience and requirements in the Mediterranean Sea, in particular the use of the AW139 helicopter. The workshop paves the way for similar events in other geographies and for other platforms in the future. Several presentations by Leonardo Helicopters and operators illustrated procedures, aircraft and fleet performance, new solutions in addition to a description of major missions carried out and accomplished in demanding conditions.

Activities included rear crew demos on real aircraft on the ground illustrating hoisting procedures with the relevant equipment and hoisting operations in a virtual reality environment.

This activity replicated various basic and challenging/emergency scenarios in high fidelity – with the brand new and recently launched Modular Interactive Trainer for Helicopter OperatorS (MITHOS). MITHOS is a fully immersive and interactive operational training system for hoist operators, pilots, rescuers and medical operators.

Leveraging on the latest state-of-the-art augmented reality, it reproduces realistic helicopter hoist operations and all type of rescue scenarios for hoist operators, rescuers, passengers as well as pilot training in al-weather conditions ensuring a realistic, effective and eco -friendly training.

The event allowed a fruitful exchange of views and best practices, as well as updates on coordination of SAR assets (rotary and fixed wing, boats/vessels), mission efficiency and effectiveness improvement possibilities, hoisting techniques and crew communications, SAR equipment and kits, mission console, sensors, NVG, introduction of uncrewed systems, and training services and devices.

AW139 helicopter

With more than 1,100 units in service with more than 280 customers in around 90 nations and over 3.3 million flight hours logged to date since its certification in 2004, the AW139 has proven extremely successful for rescue and emergency missions.

Almost 400 aircraft from military, parapublic and civilian operators carry out emergency and disaster relief operations worldwide and have amassed more than 900,000 flight hours to date.

With a unique combination of best in class performance and cabin space, latest safety and certification standards (even exceeded in some cases), advanced navigation and mission avionics/technology and impressive versatility and high customization level (with over 1,000 kits certified for all applications) have strongly contributed to this life-saving mission capability of the AW139.

The latest technology introduced for the task, include, among others, mobile phone detection and localization system, augmented reality on mission console, internet on board. The AW139 capabilities are also strongly supported by dedicated support and training services and a large network of service solutions allowing proximity and missions effectiveness.