S-92 Variant Under Development For Canadian Forces
The first CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, which is being developed by
Sikorsky Aircraft for the Canadian government as a replacement for
its long-serving Sea King helicopter fleet, has completed its first
flight successfully at Sikorsky's Development Flight Center in
Florida.
The flight occurred Saturday, November 15. Steered by Sikorsky
Test Pilots John Armbrust and Rick Becker using state-of-the-art,
fly-by-wire technology, the aircraft hovered and accomplished
low-speed handling tasks including forward flight at speeds
reaching 30 knots, and sideward and rearward maneuvers.
The helicopter, Tail No. 801, will continue to undergo a series
of increasingly demanding flight tests leading up to certification
and production deliveries. Sikorsky will build 28 CH-148
helicopters for the Canadian government.
"The CH-148 helicopter will be a world leader in sophistication
and capability for maritime helicopters," said Program Manager Dan
Hunter. "Today's successful first flight represents a huge
milestone, transitioning the program from the prototype build to
the flight test stage. The aircraft performed beautifully, easily
achieving each maneuver attempted. We're extremely pleased."
The CH-148 helicopter represents the next step in Sikorsky's
long planned extension of the S-92 helicopter into the H-92
helicopter product line. It is equipped with a fully digital,
fly-by-wire system designed to improve significantly the aircraft's
maneuverability, safety and effectiveness.
Among the most sophisticated rotary wing aircraft in the world,
the production CH-148 helicopter will be an extremely versatile,
multi-mission aircraft with capabilities including anti-submarine
warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and troop and
cargo transport. It will be fully equipped for ship-based
operations including automatic blade and tail fold systems and a
deck to aircraft recovery assist system.
Capitalizing on proven S-92 helicopter capabilities that include
a glass cockpit with advanced avionics, systems allowing flight
into known icing conditions, flaw tolerant components and
state-of-the-art search and rescue equipment, the CH-148 helicopter
will incorporate additional mission systems including Forward-
Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR), 360 degree search radar, passive and
active acoustics systems, threat surveillance and countermeasure
capabilities, and network link communications.
"The stringent qualification and certification standards of the
S-92 helicopter will be further extended through the Canadian
military certification process resulting in an aircraft that will
meet the most exacting civil and military standards in the world,"
said Hunter. "Its proven and expanded design focused on
reliability, maintainability and safety will provide operational
capabilities at world-class life cycle support cost levels."