Canadian Cyclone on its way

Sikorsky's prototype CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter has arrived at Shearwater Air Base for trials.

Gary Parsons - 9-Mar-2010

Sikorsky image

March 9: Sikorsky's prototype CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter has arrived at Shearwater Air Base in Nova Scotia, Canada for trials with the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal.

First flown on November 15, 2008 the CH-148 is a ‘marinised’ variant of Sikorsky's S-92 with fly-by-wire flight controls and automatic blade and tail folding mechanisms. It is being developed with General Dynamics Canada, which is developing an anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare mission system.

Development delays have meant that deliveries first proposed in 2008 will now start at the end of this year, with the first 19 of the 28 aircraft ordered being to an interim standard that will enable training to commence.

The first fully-capable CH-148 will be delivered in June 2012, with all interim-standard helicopters retrofitted by 2013. The Cyclones will replace CH-124 Sea Kings with 12 Wing, based at Shearwater.

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