AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant

The AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant is the search and rescue version of the AW101 helicopter, built for the Canadian Armed Forces. It grew out of the EH101 programme, a joint venture between Westland in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy whose first prototype flew in 1987. Canada first ordered EH101s in 1987 for anti-submarine and rescue roles, then cancelled that programme after a change of government in 1993. In 1998 it announced a smaller order for 15 rescue helicopters under the CH-149 designation, built entirely in Europe. The first two arrived in Canada in September 2001 and entered service the following year. The Cormorant is a medium-lift helicopter with three General Electric T700 turboshaft engines, flown by Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons 103, 413 and 442. Tail rotor hub cracks led to groundings after it entered service, and in 2022 a mid-life upgrade of the fleet was awarded to Leonardo U.K. Ltd.