The UK Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21) set sail in May, departing HMNB Portsmouth on its first operational deployment following a farewell visit from the Queen. Led by the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, the fleet is the UK’s largest to deploy internationally since the Falklands conflict, comprising 9 ships, 32 helicopters and jet aircraft, and 3,700 sailors, aviators and marines.
We were proud to be supporting the CSG21 through our role as a strategic partner to the UK MOD and one of the UK's leading equipment suppliers to the UK armed forces, with our AW159 Wildcat and AW101 Merlin Mk2 helicopters deployed to keep watch over the carrier group and the surrounding seas. The Wildcat and Merlin both also utilise state-of-the-art mission systems for long-range detection, including Leonardo radars and electronic warfare equipment. The fleet is further backed by our secure communications and thermal imaging sensors for flight approach monitoring and high-fidelity situational awareness.
On the CSG’s departure, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Our Carrier Strike Group […] will be flying the flag for Global Britain – projecting our influence, signalling our power, engaging with our friends and reaffirming our commitment to addressing the security challenges of today and tomorrow.” We were proud to support CSG21 and to fly that same flag – doing our part to help the UK economy Build Back Better.
Our contribution to the #WildcatWednesday social media campaign resumed amid the backdrop of the CSG21 departure, which we continued throughout 2021, sharing pictures and videos of the AW159 Wildcat in various settings and activities.
Later in May, an independent report by professional services firm, PwC, revealed that the Tempest future combat air programme, of which we are a core member, is poised to drive productivity, innovation and skills development, highlighting the key role the programme will play in future UK prosperity. The findings outline the significant contribution that Tempest can make to the UK Government’s levelling up priorities and the wider economy.
Towards the end of the month, we celebrated the 149th day of the year as ‘149 Day’, continuing our campaign for the AW149 as the solution to the UK’s New Medium Helicopter requirement. There was more helicopter news in May as the Orland Air Force base in Norway became the second base to go-live with the All-Weather Search and Rescue (SAR) AW101 of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.