Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone
Canadian multi-role naval helicopter / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone is a twin-engine, multi-role shipborne helicopter developed by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for the Canadian Armed Forces.[3][4] A military variant of the Sikorsky S-92, the CH-148 is designed for shipboard operations and replaced the CH-124 Sea King, which was in Canadian Armed Forces operation from 1963 to 2018.
CH-148 Cyclone | |
---|---|
A CH-148 in 2020 | |
Role | Maritime helicopter |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
First flight | 15 November 2008 |
Introduction | July 2018[1] |
Status | In service[1] |
Primary user | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Number built | 26 as of Dec. 2022[2] |
Developed from | Sikorsky S-92 |
The Cyclone entered operational service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2018 and now conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and search and rescue missions from Royal Canadian Navy frigates. The helicopter also performs utility and transport roles in support of national and international security efforts.[5] In 2004, Canada awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a contract for 28 CH-148s with deliveries originally planned to start in 2009. Deliveries were repeatedly delayed due to development issues and difficulty fulfilling contract requirements; the first deliveries, involving six initial helicopters (designated as Block 1), occurred during June 2015. Three years later, the Cyclone Block 2 achieved initial operating capability (IOC). The fleet was briefly grounded in early 2020 following a crash that was attributed to poor documentation and software flaws.