Sikorsky agreement spurs Canadian maritime helicopter program

Hartford, Connecticut – United Technologies Corp. officials announced Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s executives have signed a contract amendment with the Government of Canada on the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program. The amended contract enables Canada's Department of National Defense to take delivery of operationally relevant CH148 Cyclone helicopters and facilitates retirement of the Sea King helicopter fleet starting in 2015. The CH148 is a military variant of the Sikorsky S-92.

 

"This agreement clears the way for us to deliver the world's most advanced maritime helicopter capability to the Royal Canadian Air Force," said Mick Maurer, president of Sikorsky. "We thank the government for its shared commitment to work through the issues that had delayed the program."

 

Canada's Department of National Defence awarded a CAN$1.8 billion contract to Sikorsky in 2004 to produce 28 helicopters with deliveries scheduled to start in 2009. Engine development issues and other complications have delayed deliveries. By September 2013, the Canadian government was reevaluating the CH-148 purchase, and considered cancelling the contract.