Canada moves forward with CH-149 Cormoran MLU and fleet enlargement.

Leonardo welcomes the Government of Canada’s intention to proceed with the CH-149 Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade Program (CMLU) to be carried out by the Company to deliver a comprehensive upgrade to Canada’s AW101 primary search and rescue helicopter fleet and expand the current fleet of 14 AW101s by up to seven  additional AW101s.

Search and Rescue Technician, Sergeant Kevin O'Donnell from 103 Squadron Gander, NL is hoisted down from a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter for a mountain rescue scenario during a joint search and rescue exercise held in Iceland on February 10, 2016
(Credit: RCAF/Master Corporal Johanie Maheu)

Leonardo with IMP Aerospace and Defence and the other members of Team Cormorant – CAE, Rockwell Collins Canada, and GE Canada – comprise a strong Canadian team for the CH-149 CMLU.  

The Government of Canada’s CMLU announcement recognizes that the AW101 is the only helicopter to meet Canada’s primary rotary wing search and rescue requirements and that it has been an excellent search and rescue asset providing outstanding coverage and capability for the men and women of the Royal Canadian Air Force search and rescue squadrons.  

Leonardo, together with Team Cormorant, looks forward to continuing working with the Government of Canada to conclude the Options Analysis and finalize the requirements for the CH-149 CMLU and fleet augmentation, simulation and training program. Based on the AW101-612 standard, Leonardo and Team Cormorant will provide a very low risk solution to upgrade, enhance and address obsolescence, as well augment the fleet to return the Cormorant to all four RCAF Main Operating Bases.

Over the past two years, in-support support from Leonardo, IMP and GE Canada has helped the Government of Canada achieve significant reduction in cost of ownership in the operation of the current Cormorant fleet. The CH-149 CMLU and augmentation will position the rotary wing SAR fleet for further reductions in cost of ownership over the extended life of the fleet to 2040 and beyond. 

Leonardo and Team Cormorant are also committed to working with Canada’s aerospace and defence sector and academia to develop a robust Value Proposition program through Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITBs), delivering high-value direct and indirect benefits to Canada in support of areas of key strategic interest to Canada. Leonardo has a demonstrated track record of outstanding ITB performance, delivering 121% of its obligation on the original AW101 Cormorant acquisition contract two years ahead of schedule.

Since then, Leonardo has continued to support Canada’s aerospace and defence sector, procuring more than $1.5 billion in Canadian goods and services for its civil and military helicopter programs around the world.