KONGSBERG, Norway, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Norway's Kongsberg Defense Systems has signed a collaborative agreement with AgustaWestland in AW's bid to replace Sea King helicopters operated by Norway.
The helicopters are used in search and rescue and AgustaWestland is in competition to replace them with its AW101 medium-lift aircraft.
"Should AgustaWestland win with their AW101 candidate, this new agreement will expand significantly the long-term helicopter activities at Kongsberg, the company said. "With the new agreement, the helicopter activity has a potential for 150-200 MNOK (about $25 million - $33.3 million) in yearly revenues and secures 50 jobs for approximately 30 years."
Kongsberg has been responsible for maintenance for the Sea King's rotor heads and gearboxes for decades and the new agreement expands those tasks. It also covers transfer of technology for advanced test equipment that facilitates full-functional testing of gearboxes and other new technologies in helicopter maintenance.
The agreement also opens the possibility of Kongsberg to maintain gearboxes on other AgustaWestland helicopters.
