Sikorsky Aircraft will deliver only five new test CH-148 Cyclone helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2012, the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has revealed.
The Canadian Press quoted a high-level defence source as saying: "Sikorsky is only committing to deliver five by this year, which will be training aircraft."
The delayed delivery will result in the US manufacturer paying a fine of $80m to DND for failing to deliver a "fully mission capable" version of the CH-148 helicopter by June in addition to the $8m fine imposed by the federal government due to programme delays.
The estimated additional $80m fine will be deducted from future payments by the government for maintenance on the helicopter fleet.
According to the senior defence officials, the company is currently conducting safety certification of the aircraft making the delivery highly unlikely, even though the programme is years behind the original schedule.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataSikorsky was originally scheduled to deliver the first helicopter in 2008 followed by completion of 28 deliveries by the end of 2011 under $5bn Canadian Forces’ Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP) contract signed in 2004.
Due to constant delays, Sikorsky was asked to supply 15 scaled-down CH-147-F helicopters which could be refurbished later to enable aircrew training, but only one helicopter was delivered in late 2011, forcing the government to inflict an $8m fine.
A military variant of the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, the CH-148 Cyclone is a twin-engine, multi-role maritime helicopter designed to replace the Canada air force maritime helicopter, the CH-124 Sea King.
The CH-148 will be operated by the Canadian Forces Air Command to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare, surveillance and control, search and rescue (SAR) missions and also to provide tactical transport for national and international security missions.
Image: Sikorsky to supply only five new test CH-148 Cyclone helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2012.