Article Posted on : - Jan 19, 2011

AW101 Merlin helicopter.

ROME (BNS): AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has signed a contract worth approximately $913 million with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) covering the second five year period (2011 to 2016) of the 25 years Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) contract.

The IMOS contract provides a comprehensive availability based support package for the UK MoD's fleet of AW101 Merlin helicopters operated by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, according to the company news release.

The contract includes payments for achieved flying hours and incentivisation arrangements associated with delivering agreed levels of aircraft serviceability, operational fleet aircraft numbers and Royal Navy AW101 Merlin Training System availability.

In March 2006 AgustaWestland was awarded the 25 years IMOS contract to increase the availability of Merlin helicopters to the Front Line Commands, while saving the MoD and UK taxpayers around Euro 500 million in support costs over the 25 years period of the contract.

The company is also providing IOS solutions for the UK MoD's Sea King and Apache helicopter fleets as well as developing an IOS and training solution for the AW 159 Lynx Wildcat, 62 of which are on order for service with the UK Royal Navy and Army.