Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone - Operational History

Operational History

The Canadian Forces were to take delivery of CH-148s beginning in November 2008. In April 2009 the Government of Canada waived late fees and allowed Sikorsky two additional years to deliver compliant Cyclones. In February 2010, the first CH-148 arrived at CFB Shearwater. Shearwater is the headquarters of the 12 Wing, which currently operate the CH-124 Sea King and are to operate the CH-148. Due to delays and export restrictions, the first 19 of the 28 CH-148 Cyclones were to be delivered in an interim standard which does not meet the original contract requirements. This allows operational testing and training to begin before the end of the year.

In March 2010, the first CH-148 was being installed on board HMCS Montréal for an intensive open seas trials including landing and takeoff.

In June 2010, Sikorsky announced the Canadian Forces would receive six interim CH-148 Cyclones in November 2010. In July 2010 the Canada and Sikorsky reached an agreement on delay payments and deliveries. Delivery of the remaining CH-148s with full capabilities are to begin in June 2012. All interim-standard helicopters are to be retrofitted by December 2013.

On 22 February 2011, the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada announced the proposed arrival of 9 Cyclones on Canada's west coast in the spring of 2014.

By March 2011 the six interim CH-148s had not been delivered. On 3 March 2011, the federal government announced that it would impose a fine of up to C$8 million on Sikorsky for failure to meet contractual obligations.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. will only deliver five training CH-148 Cyclone in 2012. Sikorsky could face a further $80 million in contract penalties.

On July 10, 2012 when discussing Sikorsky missing another delivery deadline in June 2012 Defence Minister Peter MacKay called the Cyclone purchase "the worst procurement in the history of Canada", despite having been Defence Minister for five years at the time.