We sort of have a CH-148 Cyclone, at last
Earlier:
New (someday) maritime helicopter: Cyclone deliveries continue to go counter-clockwiseNow:
Cyclone testing comes to HalifaxNote the aircraft is still owned by Sikorsky:
Sea King replacement placed on deck of HMCS Montreal
The helicopter that will someday replace the Sea King is being put through its paces on HMCS Montreal.
A test model of the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone was placed on the frigate’s deck by crane Monday in Halifax Harbour.
"That’s a milestone we’re proud of, one we’ve been working hard toward for several years," said Maj. William O’Gorman, the leader of the testing team made up of personnel from Sikorsky and the Canadian military.
Up until now, work on the Cyclone has been done in Florida.
The Halifax phase began about two weeks ago...
A test version of the CH148 Cyclone maritime helicopter, owned and operated by SIkorsky Aircraft Corporation, arrived for its first visit to 12 Wing Shearwater on February 19, 2010.Defense Industry Daily did a useful summary of the Cyclone saga a year ago.
Canada’s Maritime Helicopter Replacement Program has been a textbook military procurement program over its long history. Unfortunately, it has been a textbook example of what not to do...Australia, for its part, is acquiring a new maritime helicopter--with a competition between two purpose-designed military helicopters. Our Cyclones however are a military version of a civilian aircraft--for which Canada is the first and so far (and probably forever) only customer. Bit of a lesson there, eh?
posted by Mark, Ottawa at 9:09 a.m.
4 Comments:
On the other hand, re. the Cyclone:
"The S-92 is an evolution of Sikorsky's S-70 US Army Black Hawk and US Navy Seahawk helicopters and is available in a 19-seat passenger commercial, a 22 troop utility and a number of mission-specific configurations including search and rescue (SAR), government and VIP transportation."
and
"H-92 Superhawk is the military variant which has been demonstrated to the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. H-92 has more powerful GE CT7-8C engines, rated at 2,300kW (3,070shp).
The search and rescue variant provides space for seats, litters, auxiliary fuel and SAR emergency equipment. The Superhawk was selected by Canada in July 2004, for the maritime helicopter programme (MHP), 28 helicopters are required. "
So it's not like it's some sort of purely civilian airframe being hacked into a military use -
Sikorsky seems to have designed it from the start with a military role in mind.
It's based on existing and proven military helicopters, from a company with immense experience in military helicopter production and design, and already has a military version. (Just like the Blackhawk was "also a civilian helicopter" as the S-70.)
Canada might be the first and so-far only customer for the S-92, but, well, someone has to be first.
Canada might be the first and so-far only customer for the S-92, but, well, someone has to be first.
Perhaps, Sigivald. But as I see it, Canada's defence budget isn't large enough for us to be first out of the chute, dealing with all the glitches and teething pains of a new program. We should be buying off the shelf as much as possible. Given how much we've neglected our capital budget over the years, we have no room for error.
Other countries may be able to afford these delays; Canada cannot.
Besides which we signed our contract in 2004. Six years later no-one else has bought the military version and the Aussies, e.g., are not considering it.
Mark
Ottawa
Watch for the S-92 entry in the Presidential Chopper stakes.
Cheers
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