The CH-148 Cyclone:
A new era for CF members who operate maritime helicopters

Gloria Kelly
The Maple Leaf

The Canadian Forces is getting new maritime helicopters to replace its venerable Sea King fleet. Sikorsky International has been awarded the $5 billion contract to supply the CF with 28 H92 helicopters and a 20 year life cycle maintenance program. The contract for the aircraft, to be known as the CH 148 Cyclone, is expected to be signed this fall with the first aircraft delivered in 2008.

In announcing the contract for the new helicopters, Defence Minister Bill Graham speaking at CFB Shearwater in Nova Scotia where the training facility for the new aircraft is expected to be located said, “The Government of Canada firmly believes that the Sikorsky H92 helicopter represents the right helicopter for the CF at the best price for Canadians. The H92 from Sikorsky provides a world-class robust, multi-role helicopter that will serve our defence needs for years to come.”

“The selection of the Sikorsky helicopter heralds an exciting new era for the men and women who operate our maritime helicopters,’’ said Chief of the Defence Staff, General Ray Henault. “The addition of a cutting-edge maritime helicopter will greatly enhance the ability of the navy and air force to conduct domestic maritime security operations and support international missions.’’

Sikorsky International is being awarded two separate, but interrelated contacts. The first will cover the acquisition of 28 fully integrated, certified and qualified helicopters with their mission systems installed and the modifications to the 12 Halifax Class frigates to accommodate the new machines. The second contract will be for a 20-year in-service support contact that includes a training facility with a simulation and training suite. The aircraft themselves have a price tag of $1.8 billion while the contract to provide support is valued at $3.2 billion.

Delivery of the first helicopter is to be within 48 months of official signing of the contract, expected this fall. That means the first new helicopter should arrive in the fall of 2008 with the remaining units delivered one a month for 27 months. The contract has a series of bonuses built in for early delivery but also features penalties for late delivery making it in the interest of the supplier to delivery as soon as possible.

Minister Graham acknowledged this announcement has been a long time in coming but said the entire acquisition process has focused on determining compliance to a robust set of requirements and specifications and then selecting the compliant submission that had the best price. He paid tribute to the men and women who have flown and maintained the Sea Kings throughout their lifespan, some older than their crews and maintainers.

“Canadians are getting a robust Maritime helicopter defined by the military, for the military,’’ said Minister Graham. “This new maritime helicopter will provide 21st century surveillance, logistics and warfighting capabilities for the CF.’’

In addition to providing the CF with a much-needed new maritime helicopter, the project will provide significant economic and industrial benefits throughout the country with commercial opportunities for Canadian firms.

The helicopters will be based in Halifax and Esquimalt in support of the fleet with its 12 Halifax Class Patrol Frigates, three 280 Iroquois Class Destroyers and two auxiliary oiler replenishment ships.

Until the new helicopters come into service the Sea Kings will continue to perform the wide range of roles required of them both domestically and on deployed operations. Brought into service in the 1960s, the Sea Kings which still provide yeoman service to the CF are quickly approaching the end of the practical lifespan.

Once in place, the new helicopter will compliment the sophisticated high tech frigates and enhance the CF’s ability to meet its maritime commitments in a changing world environment.