New deal on Artemis retrofits for Leonardo customers

Smith Myers Artemis mobile phone detection, location and communication systems are to be used on existing Leonardo helicopter users in the Middle East and North Africa regions (MENA).

With members of the NSRC) are, from left, AWAS’s Angelo Vincenzo Carlino, Andrew Munro and Fabio Frenguelli of Leonardo.
Image: Smith Myers Artemis

Abu Dhabi-based AWAS provides a combination of engineering and maintenance expertise that will offer current users a one-stop shop for the procurement, integration, certification, commissioning, training and support of Artemis onto existing Leonardo retrofit programmes in the region. 

Andrew Munro, managing director of Smith Myers, said: “With more than 200 Leonardo helicopters in service in the region and with AWAS involvement in comprehensive upgrade programmes with major customers in the region, the partnership will provide Leonardo operators simplified access to this unique technology. We see the MENA region as a significant market for our airborne Artemis suite of systems.

Smith Myers Artemis suite of search and rescue (SAR) products has been saving lives around the world. The National Search and Rescue Centre (NSRC) of the UAE selected Artemis for installation across its fleet of SAR helicopters. Artemis is also deployed around the world in maritime patrol, border control, aerial firefighting and natural disasters.

Angelo Vincenzo Carlino, AWAS managing director, said: “This partnership will build on the success of the UAE NSRC programme, where AWAS installed the Artemis systems onto the existing fleet of NSRC AW139s. We are excited to bring this transformational technology to our customers.”

With nearly 1,200 AW139s in service worldwide nearing four million flight hours for multiple roles with around 190 customers in more than 80 countries, the best-selling intermediate-twin type has proven a major force also in the Middle East, with a number of aircraft dedicated to emergency medical service and SAR duties. The addition of the Artemis system as a customer option would further enhance the impressive capabilities of the AW139 to carry out critical life-saving missions in this geography. 

Artemis has been designed to accurately locate mobile telephones in the challenging airborne environment using only two small antennas. It can detect a phone at extended ranges up to 35km and provides unique capabilities such as mass-mapping and geofencing to minimise crew workload.

The system is automated, quick and accurate, leading to more rapid positive outcomes, even in low light/IMC conditions. It operates stand-alone with no requirement for involvement of the mobile network operators. 

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