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CH-148 Cyclone
| CH-148 Cyclone | |
|---|---|
| Type | Maritime helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
| Maiden flight | Planned 2007 |
| Introduced | Planned January 2009 |
| Status | Developmental |
| Primary user | Canadian Forces |
| Produced | 2004-present |
| Number built | 28 Planned |
| Unit cost | USD $15,300,000 |
| Developed from | Sikorsky S-92 |
The Sikorsky Aircraft CH-148 Cyclone is a medium lift twin engine helicopter for the Canadian Forces. The CH-148 is to replace the venerable CH-124 Sea King, in operation since the early 1960s.
The CH-148 is the Canadian version of the H-92 Superhawk variant of the S-92 model and is designed for shipboard operations. The helicopter will be operated by Air Command (Canada's air force) and will conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and search and rescue (SAR) missions from Canadian warships. It will also provide tactical transport for national and international security efforts.[1]
Contents
Development
The Canadian Forces "Maritime Helicopter Project" was commissioned during the 1980s and initially selected a variant of the EH-101, however this was infamously cancelled in 1993, resulting in a 10-year delay to the procurement of a replacement aircraft. The project took on increased importance in the early 2000s and resulted in a run-off between the H-92 and the EH-101, from which the H-92 emerged with the winning bid. The second procurement process saw the government separate the airframe from the weapons/sensor instrumentation package.
The Sikorsky S-92 took its maiden flight in December 1998 at the Sikorsky Development Flight Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida. FAA FAR part 29 certification was received in December 2002. European Aviation Safety Agency/Joint Aviation Authorities (EASA/JAA) certification was received in June 2004. The first S-92 was delivered to launch customer Petroleum Helicopters in September 2004.
The H-92 Superhawk is the military variant of the S-92, with more powerful GE CT7-8C engines rated at 2,300 kW (3,070shp). In July 2004, a derivative, with CT7-8A [2] was selected by Canada for its Maritime Helicopter Programme (MHP) as the CH-148 Cyclone. Twenty-eight helicopters were ordered, with the first scheduled to enter service by January 9, 2009, five weeks later than originally scheduled (November 2008).[3][4]
It was announced on January 9, 2008 that the delivery of CH-148s would now be delayed a further 30 months, placing even greater strain on the current Sea King fleet.[5]
Design
The CH-148 has a metal and composite airframe. The four-bladed articulated composite main rotor blade is wider and has a longer radius than the S-70 Blackhawk. The tapered blade tip sweeps back and angles downward to reduce noise and increase lift. In response to requests for additional cabin space, Sikorsky has increased the cabin length of the final prototype by 41 cm (16.1 in), reduced the height of the tail pylon and relocated the horizontal stabiliser. Tethered hover flight has recorded 138 kN (31,000 lbf) of lift generated, both in and out of hover effect.
A number of safety features such as flaw tolerance, bird strike capability and engine burst containment have been incorporated into the design. An active vibration system ensures comfortable flight and acoustic levels are well below certification requirements.
The CH-148 is equipped with devices to search and locate submarines during ASW, and is equipped with countermeasures to protect itself against missile strikes. The Integrated Mission System is being developed by General Dynamics Canada,[6] as is the Sonobuoy Acoustic Processing System.[7] The radar is a Telephonics APS-143B, [8] the EO System a Flir Systems SAFIRE III [12], the sonar an L-3 HELRAS [9]
In addition, Sikorsky, General Dynamics Canada, and L-3 MAS, with their subcontractors, are responsible for in service, including the Maritime Helicopter Training Centre, with two Operational Mission Simulators. Other elements of in service support include the Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring System, spares and software support.
Variants
- CH-148 Cyclone
- Maritime Helicopter
Operators
- Canadian Forces - 28 on order
Specifications
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.Data from Canadian Forces CH-148 page[10]
General characteristics
- Crew: 4 (2 pilots, 1 navigator, 1 sensor operator)
- Capacity: 6 in mission config, up to 22 in utility config
- Length: 68 ft 6 in (S-92) (20.9 m (S-92))
- Rotor diameter: 58 ft 1 in (S-92) (17.7 m (S-92))
- Height: 15 ft 5 in (S-92) (4.7 m (S-92))
- Disc area: 2,650 ft² (S-92) (246 m² (S-92))
- Max takeoff weight: 28,650 lbs ()
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric CT7-8A turboshafts, () each
- Fuselage 56ft2in long, 12ft9in wide, 18ft4in high
Performance
- Maximum speed: 165 knots
- Cruise speed: 137 knots
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft DA ()
Armament
- 2 x Mk-46 Torpedoes on BRU-14 mounted in folding weapons pylons
- Door-arm mounted GPMG
Avionics
Fly-by wire, 3 EGI, 2 FMCDU, EFIS, 2 VOR/ILS, ADF, DME, Civilian GPS, Tactical Homing, 3 ARC-210 U/VHF, 1 HF, Datalink, Integrated Mission System, Radar, Dipping Sonar, Sonobuoy Processor and Receivers, Electro-Optical, Electronic Support Measures, Self Defense System
References
External links
- Manufacturer's Official Web page for CH-148
- Canadian Forces official website for the CH-148 Cyclone
- Canadian Forces Project Management Office Website
- CdnMilitary.ca article on the Maritime Helicopter Project which made Canada the first buyer of the H-92
Related content
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
- Canadian Military: CH-146 - CH-147 - CH-148 - CH-149 - CC-150
- Sikorsky: S-70 - S-72 - S-76 - S-80 - S-92/H-92
Related lists
Template:Sikorsky Aircraft Template:CF aircraft
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