Fri, Jul 16, 2010
Primary Missions Are SAR, Fishery Protection
The Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) has surpassed 10,000 flying
hours with its fleet of AW101 medium/heavy three engine
helicopters, performing search and rescue and fishery protection
duties.
This achievement was celebrated last Friday at Montijo Air Base,
where the Portuguese AW101 fleet is based. General Araújo,
the Portuguese Air Force's Chief of Staff, presided over the
ceremony in which AgustaWestland, Senior Vice President of
International Government Business, Giacomo Saponaro, awarded
certificates of achievement to the most experienced pilots and
technicians.
Since the delivery of the first of twelve AW101s to the
Portuguese Air Force in late 2004, these aircraft dedicated to SAR,
Combat SAR and fishery protection roles have performed hundreds of
SAR missions saving more than 630 lives. With the largest SAR area
of responsibility of any European country the long range and
endurance of the AW101 has provided new levels of SAR capability
over a large area of the Atlantic Ocean operating from bases
on the mainland, Lajes in the Azores and Madeira. The fishery
protection variant is equipped with a cabin mission console
allowing the operator to control the 360 degree scan radar, Forward
Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera and the communications suite.
In 2008 AgustaWestland signed a 15 years contract with
Locação de Equipamentos de Defesa SA (DEFLOC) for the
long term provision of support for the 12 AW101 helicopters
operated by the Portuguese Air Force. Under the Full In
Service Support (FISS) contract AgustaWestland has taken full
responsibility for the second level maintenance of the aircraft as
well as the provision of spares, repairs and technical support
services.
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