Medevac.

The TeamFollowing an agreement between Scandinavian Airlines(SAS) and the Norwegian Armed Forces, Nodin Aviationwon a contract from the Norwegian Defence LogisticsOrganisation (NDLO) to design a six-configurationMEDEVAC role change kit that could convert an SASBoeing 737 passenger jet into a medical evacuationplatform within a matter of hours. However, as thismodification was the first of its kind in Europe on acommercially-operated aircraft, additional support andresource would be required to bring the project to fruition

Upon the recommendation of the NDLO, Nodin Aviationasked Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group to takethe lead role in providing this new and innovativecapability. Marshall has a long-standing relationship withthe NDLO, having provided support to the NorwegianArmed Forces’ C-130 fleet for a number of years. Thecompany’s full European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)privileges, enabling it to engineer and certifymodifications to commercial platforms, meant thatMarshall was a natural fit to take on responsibility for thedevelopment and certification of the role changesystems.

Marshall and Nodin Aviation worked closely together toprovide two role change systems, converting aScandinavian Airlines’ Boeing 737 from a normalpassenger aircraft into a highly sophisticated andeffective MEDEVAC platform with six differentconfigurations. Nodin provided the system design, whileMarshall designed, manufactured and sourced a varietyof components and materials for stretcher supportracks, medical tables, infusion poles and electro-medicalequipment racks, as well as a series of bespoke aircraftcabin parts to facilitate the role change. Marshall alsoworked closely with EASA to certify all life supportequipment on board.

The CapabilityThe first MEDEVAC role change systems weredemonstrated in the presence of the Norwegian DefenceMinister and EASA representatives at GardermoenAirport in Norway and subsequently declaredoperational.

The equipment is specially designed and engineered tofacilitate a quick role change, which takes as little as fourhours to complete. This capability proved invaluable tothe Norwegian Armed Forces when, in January 2013, agroup of terrorists attacked the gas installations in InAmenas, Algeria. Several hundred hostages were taken,and the Norwegian Government decided to mobiliseone of the Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Boeing 737s inthe MEDEVAC configuration provided by Marshall andNodin Aviation. In keeping with the agreement with SAS,the aircraft was pulled from commercial service, the rolechange system was quickly put in place, and within 24hours the medical personnel and a fully-equippedMEDEVAC aircraft were on the wings heading forAlgeria. The aircraft and crew were soon ready to utilisethe 22 lying patient capacity and the intensive care unitson board.

To maximise the benefits of this MEDEVAC capability,the NDLO have entrusted Marshall to take onresponsibility for maintaining the systems’ airworthiness,and to provide the necessary support to ensuremaximum availability and fast response of theMEDEVAC role change system.

Marshall and Nodin Aviation are equipped to providesimilar innovative and reliable MEDEVAC role changeson a range of aircraft – and to support the solution toensure it continues to satisfy demanding customerrequirements.

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An SAS Boeing 737 can be pulled from service, converted andready to fly as a MEDEVAC platform within 24 hours of notification

Marshall and Nodin developed six MEDEVAC configurations,each with its own set of technical publications

The 22 lying patient capacity and onboard intensive care unitsproved invaluable during a hostage crisis in Algeria in January 2013

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group and Nodin Aviationdevelop quick-change MEDEVAC role conversions for theNorwegian Armed Forces.

The equipment change takes as little as 4 hours