The Maritime Helicopter
Team selected to replace Sea Kings
The Government of Canada has announced the selection of the
Sikorsky Aircraft-led Maritime Helicopter Team to replace Sea King
helicopters currently in service with the Canadian Forces.
The selection was made as part of Canada's $3-billion Maritime
Helicopter Project (MHP) for the acquisition of 28 aircraft. The
Maritime Helicopter Team will furnish the Sikorsky H-92 SUPERHAWK
medium-lift helicopter and support services over the next 20 years.
The first helicopter will be delivered in 2008.
Canada's new H-92s will be multi-mission capable and will
perform anti- submarine patrols, surveillance and ship-borne
duties, and a wide range of utility roles such as Search and Rescue
support, cargo and personnel transport, and disaster relief
support.
"Sikorsky has been a part of Canada's history for more than 50
years, and we are proud to continue this legacy," said Sikorsky
President Steve Finger. "The MHP specifications are rightfully
among the most demanding in the world. There is no better aircraft
to fulfill these missions than the H-92."
Sikorsky Aircraft has reiterated its long-term commitment to
Canada by joining with two leading Canadian companies to form The
Maritime Helicopter Team. General Dynamics Canada, based in Ottawa,
Ontario, is responsible for the H-92 systems integration and will
furnish a 100 percent Canadian-developed and built Mission Data
Management System. L-3 MAS Canada, based in Mirabel, Quebec, brings
proven performance in long-term in-service support for the Canadian
Forces.
"General Dynamics Canada has been serving our Armed Forces since
1948, and we have consistently proven our capability to
successfully complete large, technically complex projects," said GD
Canada's President John Watts. "Our team of qualified and dedicated
workers are eager to provide the H-92 with a world-class Integrated
Mission System. We will draw on the extensive systems integration
experience we have gained over the years to ensure the success of
the MHP programme."
Sylvain Bedard, President of L-3 Communications MAS Canada
added: "We are pleased with the selection of the MHT which will
provide the Canadian Forces with the next generation maritime
helicopter. Our Sikorsky-led team recognizes the advantages of the
safety and reliability inherent in the H-92 design and capitalizes
on the strength of the Canadian industry partners--GD Canada
providing the mission suite and L-3 MAS with the leading role for
the provision of in-service support.
"This selection continues the long-standing L-3 MAS tradition as
the leading provider of quality, responsive and innovative
solutions in support of the Canadian Air Force operational
requirements."
The Sikorsky H-92 Maritime Helicopter Team was selected over the
AgustaWestland team and its EH-101 Cormorant offering. A Lockheed
Martin/NH Industries consortium NH-90 proposal was eliminated
earlier this year.
The H-92 flies faster, farther, is safer, carries more and costs
less to operate than its MHP competitor. It builds on the heritage
of five million flight hours achieved through the Sea Stallion,
SEAHAWK and BLACK HAWK aircraft, and the Sikorsky Sea King that has
served the Canadian Forces for more than four decades.
Breaking new ground for medium-weight helicopters, the H-92
provides unprecedented levels of safety and reliability. It is the
only rotorcraft in the world certified to the latest FAA, EASA and
JAA safety regulations and is designed to the latest specifications
for flaw tolerance, bird strike capability and turbine burst
protection.