April 24, 2020 | Local, Aerospace
COVID-19 prompts purchase of new medical transportation system for RCAF aircraft
David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen The Canadian Forces is hoping to purchase what it is calling an aeromedical bio-containment evacuation system that can be outfitted on its C-17 or C-130J aircraft. The equipment, also known as ABES, will be capable of transporting highly infectious disease patients on the aircraft. The Royal Canadian Air Force is looking to have these delivered to 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario by Oct. 31, 2020, said Department of National Defence spokesman Dan LeBouthillier. “This project is in support of federal efforts to assist civil authorities and non-governmental partners in responding to major international and domestic emergencies,” he explained. “As required, this acquisition will provide the whole of government approach with additional tools to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.” He noted the Canadian military already has interim capabilities in this area as the RCAF can transport a patient with a highly infectious disease in a specialized isolation unit by aircraft. “The ABES will enhance our ability to move more patients much more efficiently over a longer distance,” he noted. The ABES must be able to accommodate a minimum of four patients, according to the industry notice the federal government put online. The RCAF is also interested in acquiring additional isolation units to supplement those that will be available through the ABES. The units will be able to be transported by the majority of RCAF aircraft and will consist of individual, hard-shell, durable isolation units that can be reused by the Canadian military as well as lightweight, single-use isolation units. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/covid-19-prompts-purchase-of-new-medical-transportation-system-for-rcaf-aircraft/