Development
The Canadian Forces' Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP) was commissioned during the 1980s and initially selected a variant of the AgustaWestland EH-101. The contract was signed by the current ruling party of the day, the Progressive Conservatives. After a change of government, the EH-101 contract was cancelled in 1993 by the then ruling Liberal government. The decision to cancel resulted in a lengthy delay to the procurement of a replacement aircraft. The project took on increased importance in the early 2000s and another procurement competition was initiated.
On 23 November 2004, Canada's Department of National Defence announced the award of a C$1.8 billion contract to Sikorsky to produce 28 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled to start in January 2009.
In addition to Sikorsky, General Dynamics Canada and L-3 MAS, Sikorsky's subcontractors, are responsible for in service maintenance. This includes the Maritime Helicopter Training Centre, with two Operational Mission Simulators. Other elements of in-service support include the Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring System, spares and software support.
The first flight of the first production CH-148, serial number 801 (FAA registration N4901C), took place in Florida on 15 November 2008.
Read more about this topic: Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone
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