The Bristow-operated Sikorsky S-92s will fly in Coastguard colours

The company that will operate the UK’s search and rescue helicopters said some of its fleet will have ground-breaking broadband technology.

Bristow, which will take over the rescue helicopter role from the RAF and Royal Navy progressively from next year, said its Sikorsky S-92 aircraft will have the innovative broadband system.

It will operate through a 66-satellite network run by Iridium Communications, which Bristow says is the only one capable of providing in-flight high-speed connectivity to helicopters.

Bristow, which won the £1.6bn contract to run the privatised search and rescue service, said: “Bristow will be the first operator to put broadband connectivity in its aircraft.

“By adding broadband to its fleet of search and rescue helicopters in the U.K., the company is leading the way for possible future applications.

“The Sikorsky S-92 aircraft in Bristow’s UK SAR fleet will have broadband delivered by satellite to advance onboard communications capabilities and reliability. The broadband service will improve in-flight care by enabling the real-time transmission of electronic patient information such as vital signs to medical facilities on the ground.”

The Houston-based company will operate 10 Sikorsky S-92s, two per site, at Stornoway, Sumburgh, Newquay, Caernarfon and Humberside airports.

Ten AgustaWestland AW189s will operate, again two per site, from Lee on Solent and Prestwick Airport, and new bases which will be established at airports at St Athan in south Wales, Inverness and Manston, Kent.

The aircraft will replace the familiar but ageing Sea Kings flown by military crews from the RAF and Royal Navy. Search and rescue helicopters are used extensively to support the UK’s volunteer mountain rescue teams.