AMSA awards SAR contract
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced in October that it has awarded a new contract to Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced in October that it has awarded a new contract to Cobham SAR Services Pty Ltd, under which the AMSA’s dedicated airborne search and rescue (SAR) capability will continue, once current contracts expire. Cobham – which was decided upon following an open tender process – will begin providing services in August 2016. It will be responsible for owning, modifying, maintaining and operating the necessary aircraft.
“This contract will continue the search and rescue capability for AMSA utilising Bombardier Challenger CL-604 jet aircraft specially modified for this role,” commented Mick Kinley, CEO of AMSA. “The future capability will use faster and longer range aircraft to provide a similar level of capability to our current service, but using fewer aircraft.”
Cobham’s aircraft will feature a full suite of electronic sensors, and will be drop capable; the contract itself is for a 12-year period, with an option for a three-year continuation following that period. The contract is expected to be valued at $640 million.