The Canadian Government has signed contract amendments with Sikorsky Aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) long-delayed Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP).
The amendments cover both the acquisition and long-term in-service support for 28 CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters under the $5.7bn MHP programme.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The deliveries of the CH-148 will be timed to coincide with the decommissioning of RCAF’s ageing CH-124 Sea King helicopter fleet that will begin in 2015.
The fully developed CH-148 maritime helicopters will be delivered from 2018.
Canadian National Defence Minister Rob Nicholson said: "The CH-148 Cyclone will be a highly capable aircraft, making it a leading maritime helicopter."
The new amendments ensure the sustainment of the Cyclone helicopters until 2038.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataSikorsky initially secured the MHP contract in 2004 for delivery of 28 CH-148s from 2009, but failed to honour the commitments, putting the programme years behind the original schedule.
A military version of the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, the CH-148 Cyclone is a twin-engine, multi-role maritime helicopter capable of performing a full range of search-and-rescue (SAR) and utility missions in challenging environments.
Fully interoperable in a modern battle space, the helicopter will be designed to conduct a full spectrum of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare in hostile, high-threat environments.
The helicopters will be operated by the Canadian Forces Air Command, and are also scheduled to provide tactical transport for national and international security operations.
Image: The CH-148 Cyclone helicopter will be designed to carry out search-and-rescue and anti-submarine warfare missions. Photo: courtesy of Gerry Metzler.
