Leonardo and Heli-One Extend AW101 SAR Helicopter Maintenance Contract

This article is based on an official press release from Heli-One.

Leonardo Extends Maintenance Partnership with Heli-One for Norway’s AW101 SAR Fleet

Leonardo has officially extended its contract with Heli-One to provide critical MRO services for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s (RNoAF) fleet of AW101 search and rescue helicopters. According to the announcement, the agreement secures support for the “SAR Queen” fleet through 2030, ensuring operational readiness for one of the world’s most demanding rescue environments.

The extension reinforces a strategic collaboration between the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Leonardo, and Heli-One, a leading provider of helicopter MRO services. Under the terms of the agreement, Heli-One technicians will continue to work as embedded support alongside Leonardo personnel at RNoAF bases. This integrated approach is designed to maintain 24/7 fleet availability for the 330 Squadron, which operates the aircraft across Norway’s challenging terrain and maritime zones.

Contract Scope and Operational Support

The renewed contract focuses on delivering comprehensive support for the 16 AW101-612 helicopters that now form the backbone of Norway’s National All-Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) program. Heli-One’s role involves a mix of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, aimed at minimizing downtime and maximizing mission availability.

According to the press release, the partnership leverages Heli-One’s specialized experience in the North Sea region. By embedding Norwegian maintenance specialists directly at the operating bases, the program ensures that technical expertise is available on-site to address issues immediately. This logistics model is essential for maintaining the high readiness rates required for life-saving missions in the Arctic and North Sea.

Executive Commentary

Executives from both companies emphasized the importance of local expertise and long-term collaboration in securing the contract extension.

“Our team has decades of experience maintaining helicopters based in the North Sea and we are fully committed to applying our expertise in support of the AW101 SAR Queen.”

— Carolyn Forsyth, General Manager of Sales & Commercial, Heli-One

Mark Goddard, Head of Customer Service Management at Leonardo UK, highlighted the historical depth of the relationship with the Norwegian defense sector.

“We are honored to support 330 Squadron and the Royal Norwegian Air Force as they carry out life-saving search-and-rescue operations… Our association with the Norwegian defence sector goes back 50 years.”

— Mark Goddard, Leonardo UK

The AW101 “SAR Queen” and NAWSARH Program

The extension comes as the RNoAF completes its transition from the legacy Westland Sea King fleet to the modern AW101-612. The transition, which concluded in late 2024 with the activation of the Florø base, marks a significant upgrade in Norway’s national rescue capabilities.

Advanced Technical Capabilities

The AW101 “SAR Queen” is widely regarded as the most advanced search and rescue helicopter currently in operation. Customized specifically for Norwegian requirements, the aircraft features several cutting-edge technologies:

• Osprey AESA Radar: The Leonardo Osprey radar provides 360-degree coverage using fixed panels, eliminating moving parts. This allows crews to detect small targets, such as a person in the water, even in severe weather conditions.
• Mobile Phone Detection: A specialized system can geolocate a missing person’s mobile phone from the air, effectively turning the device into a distress beacon even in areas without cellular coverage.
• All-Weather Performance: A full ice protection system enables the aircraft to fly in known icing conditions, a mandatory capability for Norwegian winters.
• Range and Capacity: The aircraft can accommodate over 50 standing survivors and has a radius of action of approximately 266 nautical miles, significantly outperforming the retired Sea King fleet.

Strategic Basing

To cover Norway’s extensive coastline and territory, the fleet operates from six strategic bases. Sola serves as the headquarters, with additional operations at Ørland, Banak (Lakselv), Bodø, Rygge, and Florø. The dispersed basing strategy ensures that the 330 Squadron can respond rapidly to emergencies anywhere in the country or the surrounding seas.

AirPro News Analysis

This contract extension highlights a broader trend in military aviation logistics: the “hybrid” support model. Rather than relying solely on military maintainers or distant OEM support, defense forces are increasingly utilizing embedded commercial contractors. In this case, Leonardo (the OEM) contracting Heli-One (a local MRO expert) provides the RNoAF with the best of both worlds, access to proprietary engineering data and local, environment-specific maintenance know-how.

The North Sea is notoriously corrosive and harsh on airframes. Heli-One’s background in offshore oil and gas helicopter support likely played a decisive role in Leonardo’s decision to extend the partnership. For the RNoAF, this continuity is vital. With the Sea King now fully retired, the AW101 is the sole platform for national SAR; any gap in maintenance availability would directly impact public safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the contract extension?

The contract between Leonardo and Heli-One has been extended through 2030.

How many helicopters are covered by this agreement?

The agreement covers the maintenance of all 16 AW101-612 “SAR Queen” helicopters operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

What is the role of Heli-One in this partnership?

Heli-One provides embedded maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, working alongside Leonardo staff at RNoAF bases to ensure fleet readiness.

Where are the AW101 helicopters based?

The fleet operates from six bases across Norway: Sola (HQ), Ørland, Banak, Bodø, Rygge, and Florø.

Sources: Heli-One