The rotorcraft stands as the essential medical rescue apparatus for mountainous operations and challenging terrains. The Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps, alongside Leonardo, collaborate on the advancement of more proficient technologies, solutions, and training.
The refinement of current technologies aimed at preserving human lives, along with the creation of innovative operational and training solutions, enhances the efficiency and safety of helicopter rescues during the deployment of rescue teams. These aspirations form the renewed pact between Leonardo and the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico – CNSAS), initially established in December 2016 and extended for an additional three years.
The two organizations, Leonardo and the CNSAS, serve as a benchmark—both locally and internationally—within the rescue domain encompassing mountains and unreachable areas. The helicopter has transformed into a critical asset for saving lives during the most intricate missions. In 2020, the Alpine Rescue team executed the highest number of missions in the Corps’ history (over 10,000 missions in a single year), while Leonardo persistently augments the mission capabilities of its cutting-edge models, AW139 and AW169, in terms of equipment, performance, and supportive training services for healthcare and emergency personnel. The battle against Coronavirus has affected all operations and presented an additional challenge; the helicopter has been the principal vehicle for numerous transport endeavors utilizing specialized stretchers equipped with biological containment. This approach was first implemented in Italy and globally aboard Leonardo’s civil air ambulances.
Officials from CNSAS and Leonardo Helicopters participated in today’s event, held near the commencement of the summer season at the Leonardo facility in Sesto Calende (VA)—the headquarters of the company’s main Training Academy, where staff assigned to helicopter rescue responsibilities receive training from around the globe.
Aspirational Targets. The agreement formalized today fortifies a collaboration that has existed for years, since the Alpine Rescue personnel began utilizing Leonardo helicopters. This three-year renewable collaboration agreement involves establishing a joint working group aimed at exchanging technical-operational insights for a comprehensive evaluation of Leonardo’s rescue aircraft models’ specifications, mission gear, and cabin configurations to further boost efficiency and effectiveness. The two partners will also collaboratively review new rescue and adaptation methodologies for helicopters to meet modern operational demands, as well as jointly innovating navigation, geolocation, and target mapping technologies. The training initiatives will also cover techniques for utilizing the rescue winch in conjunction with the stretcher.
“The renewal of our agreement with Leonardo is bound to yield benefits for the entire emergency system and the civil protection sector in a broader sense,” remarked Maurizio Dellantonio, President of the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps. “Contemporary medical rescue necessitates adopting a multi-agency perspective, in which specialized rescue units can effectively collaborate with the realms of research and industrial production, ensuring an outstanding service for citizens.”
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, stated: “Our Training Academy in Sesto Calende today symbolizes the collaborative journey we embarked on together years ago. We have significantly reaffirmed our mutual commitment to training personnel engaged in sensitive operations employing a unique platform like the helicopter. Through the advancement of new solutions and capabilities, the air ambulance can fulfill its role more effectively. We will collaborate on fresh projects that will enable us to enhance the outcomes of these synergies in our products.”
