AgustaWestland has won a £300 million ($567 million), five-year contract to support the UK Ministry of Defence's Sea King helicopters. The Finmeccanica company's UK arm Westland Helicopters is taking the role of prime contractor, and is partnering BAE Systems Avionics and Thales UK to form Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS). SKIOS will guarantee availability of equipment and technical services. BAE and Thales UK will establish an "avionics arm" within the joint venture. The UK's Sea Kings have been operational for 30 years and are due to remain in service until 2018. The fleet comprises seven different types of aircraft, flying a variety of missions including search and rescue, airborne early warning (AEW) and amphibious troop transport.
Source: Flight International
