Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone programme back on track
A contract amendment has been signed between Sikorsky and the Canadian government, clearing the way for Sikorsky to deliver 28 CH-148 Cyclone helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force. The amended contract ensures that Canada can commence retiring the current Sea King helicopter fleet from 2015.
The CH-148 Cyclone is being delivered under the $1.9 billion Canadian Maritime Helicopter programme. The helicopters with operational capability will begin delivery in 2015, with a programme to enhance those capabilities leading to a fully capable maritime helicopter from 2018.
The Cyclone fleet will be capable of a full range of search and rescue and utility missions in challenging environments. The CH-148 Cyclone will also be fully interoperable in a modern battle space, and will be able to concurrently conduct a full spectrum of anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare in hostile, high-threat environments.
The contract with Sikorsky also covers long term in-service support agreement for the Cyclone fleet until 2038 worth $5.7 billion.
Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, Canada, said: ‘Our government is working tirelessly to provide our men and women in uniform with the equipment they need to get the job done, and these amendments are a testament to that fact. The CH-148 Cyclone will be a highly capable aircraft, making it a leading maritime helicopter.’
Mick Maurer, president, Sikorsky, added: ‘This agreement clears the way for us to deliver the world's most advanced maritime helicopter capability to the Royal Canadian Air Force. We thank the government for its shared commitment to work through the issues that had delayed the programme.’
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