Supercraft manufacture roof beams for AgustaWestland AW101 search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopter

AgustaWestland AW101 search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopters due to be deployed with the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF)

Order for 16 AgustaWestland SAR helicopters

Tolerance conformance testing for AW101 roof beam.

With over 220 AW101s sold to customers worldwide for a range of applications including SAR, combat SAR, utility, maritime, and VIP transport duties, Finmeccanica announced in December 2013 a GBP1 billion (USD1.63 billion) contract for 16 AgustaWestland AW101 search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopters, with an option for six more. The contract is with the Royal Norwegian Air Force for delivery in 2017 through to 2020 from the AgustaWestland production facility in Yeovil, UK.

The AW101 will replace 12 Westland Sea Kings operated by the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue, which have been in service from 1973. The present helecopters are operated by 330 Squadron and maintained at 15-minute readiness at six locations along the Norwegian coast in support of civil search-and-rescue.

Supercraft raise the roof

Roof Assembly for AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter

Supercraft have worked with AgustaWestland for many years and been contracted to supply various parts for the AW101 including the roof beams that form the main structure for the transdeck roof assembly. Manufactured from a solid billet of aluminium the roof beams are light enough to be lifted between finger tips, yet retain the strength required for the integrity of the aircraft. The roof beams are milled on a long bed CNC machine, whilst maintaining the high tolerances required.