Canada’s Department of National Defence and Sikorsky have been recognised by AHS International for their work to prove the ship/helicopter operational capability of the CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter.
Representatives from the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project (CMHP) Combined Test Team accepted the Leonardo International Fellowship Award during AHS International’s annual forum in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 18, 2018.
The trials were conducted aboard Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigates, HMCS Montréal and HMCS Halifax on a total of five occasions between 2010 and 2017 and cleared the CH-148 to operate in conditions up to sea state 6. A total of 270 hours and approximately 975 landings were performed during the trials.
Sikorsky CMHP Director William Falk, said: “The combined industry and government flight test team collaborated fully to demonstrate the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter’s anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions during some of the roughest winter weather imaginable … Successful demonstration of strict ship/helicopter capability is required before the Canadian government can deploy this helicopter weapon system.”
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is expected to take delivery of the last of 28 CH-148s on order by 2021. Nigel Pittaway
