AgustaWestland has performed the maiden flight of the first of 16 AW101 helicopters destined to perform search and rescue missions for the Norwegian justice ministry.
The sortie took place on 21 March at the manufacturer’s Yeovil, UK facility, where the 15.6t rotorcraft are assembled.
Deliveries of the helicopters to the justice ministry, for operation by the Royal Norwegian Air Force, are due to begin next year and will be complete by 2020.
AgustaWestland
Oslo will replace its aged fleet of Westland Sea Kings with the AW101s under its Norwegian all-weather search and rescue helicopter requirement.
Equipment includes an active electronically scanned array surveillance radar from AgustaWestland’s sister firm Finmeccanica Airborne & Space Systems.
Norway selected the AW101 in December 2013. Its contract includes six options.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
