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Naval
Forces News - Canada |
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Canada to continue with CH148 Cyclone Maritime Helicopter Project and
begin retiring Sea Kings |
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Given ongoing challenges with the Maritime Helicopter Project, the Government
of Canada commissioned an independent third party, Hitachi Consulting,
to determine the viability of the program. The Government accepts the
recommendations in the third-party report, which found that the program
would be viable with a different project structure and governance model.
Today, the Government of Canada and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation announced
that a Principles of Agreement (POA), which will form the basis of formal
contract negotiations to put those recommendations into place, was concluded
on December 31, 2013. |
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The Sikorsky
CH-148 Cyclone will conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance,
and search and rescue missions from Royal Canadian Navy warships
Picture: Sikorsky |
“The decision
to continue with the Maritime Helicopter Project is consistent with
our goals of getting the Canadian Armed Forces the equipment they need
while protecting the investments taxpayers have already made in this
program,” said the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National
Defence. “The Royal Canadian Air Force has been providing guidance
in determining operational priorities through the newly established
Integrated Product Teams comprised of team leaders from Sikorsky and
General Dynamics Canada, as recommended by the third party.” Under
the terms of the POA, Canada will see delivery of helicopters with operational
capability sufficient to begin retirement of Sea Kings in 2015, and
a program to enhance those capabilities culminating in a fully capable
CH 148 Cyclone Maritime Helicopter in 2018.
“Under the new terms established in the Principles
of Agreement, Sikorsky has committed to deliver the needed helicopter
capability at no additional cost to Canada,” said the Honourable
Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. “In
addition, the Government of Canada will only issue further payment
to Sikorsky upon capability delivery. This is the right path forward
for the Canadian Armed Forces and taxpayers.” Sikorsky has agreed
to pay Canada $88.6 million in liquidated damages for non-delivery.
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The Sikorsky
CH-148 Cyclone is intended to replace the venerable CH-124 Sea King,
which has been in operation since 1963
Picture: Canadian Forces |
“As the pre-eminent helicopter manufacturer
in the world, we regret that we have not executed this program to the
satisfaction of the Government of Canada and that no aircraft were delivered
in 2013,” said Mick Maurer, President of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
“We recognize that we and our sub-contractors must do better.
We have completely restructured our approach, and added considerable
new resources and technical expertise. As a result of the third-party
review commissioned by the Government of Canada, we believe we have
the right plan in place to deliver the most capable maritime helicopter
in the world.”
The restructured program will see the continuation of the initial
training and testing of the Cyclone now underway in Shearwater, Nova
Scotia. Hitachi Consulting will remain engaged in the project to ensure
delivery of a fully capable maritime helicopter.
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