Thales proudly supports commemoration of 46 years of the UK Sea King

Thales proudly supported a recent event to commemorate 46 years of the UK Sea King enterprise and the Marks 3/3A, 4 and 5 helicopters going out of service in April and into the history books.
The event, hosted by the Sea King Project Team (SKPT), AgustaWestland and the Fleet Air Arm Museum (FAAM) focused on the Sea King as a programme and the support provided across all marks of the aircraft since the 1960s.
 
The Sea King is a much loved helicopter that has provided vital early warning and protection to the Royal Navy and beyond, (don't forget the SAR - Search and Rescue Sea Kings). Our history with the Sea King dates back to 1982, it has seen action in the Falklands, Afghanistan, Iraq and in counter piracy operations.
 
As well as this, we have provided world class support to the Sea King Mk 3/3A, 4,5 and Mk7 helicopters since 2005 under an alliance called 'TSS' Total Support Services, which includes Selex. The TSS solution provides the customer with the support it needs to deliver a cost effective and timely support solution to meet the needs of the operational and training fleet.
 
The dedicated Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) team is comprise of Thales employees based at Crawley, RNAS Culdrose and embedded within Finmeccanica (AgustaWestland - Yeovil), who deliver a flagship service to support the Sea King fleet.
 
The event began with an aircraft fly past as they arrived at the Yeovil factory, and provided an opportunity to mark the end of service for the UK's most successful and longest serving helicopter. The aircraft were then moved across to FAAM at RNAS Yeovilton, where the attendees acknowledged the passing of the aircraft into history.
 
The Sea King Mk7 Airborne Surveillance and Contol aircraft continues in service until 2018 and last year, Thales was selected, under the Crowsnest programme, to provide the Royal Navy with the future replacement airborne surveillance and control system. We will provide a new generation of Thales Searchwater radar to be fitted to specially adapted Merlin helicopters. This partnership will secure our future as a trusted partner to the Royal Navy.

_{Images ​Crown copyright 2014}