YEOVIL, England, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The British military's AW101 Merlin helicopters will receive support from their manufacturer, AgustaWestland, under a second five-year contract.
The award from the Ministry of Defense, valued at about $679 million, is for the second period of a 25-year Integrated Merlin Operational Support contract.
The contract includes payments for achieved flying hours and incentives arrangements associated with delivering agreed levels of aircraft serviceability, operational fleet aircraft numbers and British navy AW101 Merlin Training System availability.
"This contract continues AgustaWestland's long term commitment to provide efficient and effective support solutions for the U.K. Ministry of Defense's helicopter fleets, while delivering through a partnered approach increased aircraft availability and increased value for money to the U.K. government," AgustaWestland Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Orsi said.
Under the contract, AgustaWestland has joined with Total Support Services, an alliance between SELEX Galileo, Thales UK, GE and the Defense Support Group to support air vehicle avionics, and with Lockheed Martin to provide support for the British navy's AW101 Merlin mission system and the Merlin Training System.
