Leonardo, IMP re-forms Team Cormorant
Leonardo Helicopters and IMP Aerospace and Defence have re-established ‘Team Cormorant’ to target the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF's) upcoming CH-149 and AW101-519 modernisation and conversion programme, IMP announced on 29 May.
The RCAF is looking to modernise its fleet of CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters and expand the fleet by converting a number of AW101-519 helicopters.
Team Cormorant’s proposed Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade (CMLU) and Conversion Programme will create a fleet of advanced and capable SAR helicopters to meet the RCAF’s ‘no fail’ SAR mandate for the next 25 years.
The programme will provide a single, common fleet integrating the latest avionic and mission systems, advanced radars and sensors, vision enhancement and tracking systems. The current fleet of 14 Cormorant helicopters will be combined with additional helicopters obtained by the Canadian government when it acquired the assets of the US VH-71 helicopter programme, which are currently in storage at IMP Aerospace in Halifax.
The CMLU will offer capability improvements to enhance mission effectiveness and return the Rotary Wing Search and Rescue helicopter to CFB Trenton, covering the Great Lakes region up to the High Arctic. It will also reduce the ownership cost and will deliver the conversion without reducing the current SAR aircraft availability, culminating in the expansion of service from three main SAR bases to four.
In addition to Leonardo Helicopters and IMP, Team Cormorant will grow to include other Canadian companies who will supply and support critical aircraft components, technology, systems, simulation and training.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
