SHEARWATER, N.S. – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement today:
“The first interim maritime helicopter, the CH-148 Cyclone, arrived at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, on May 13, 2011 to support training of Canadian Forces (CF) aircrew and technicians for the Maritime Helicopter Project. Sikorsky Operations International Inc. flew the helicopter to Shearwater to fulfil its contractual obligation under the Maritime Helicopter Project to deliver initial cadre training to the CF. While in Shearwater, the helicopter will be used initially as a ground-based training aid for technicians and then for aircrew flight training later this summer.
The arrival of this helicopter demonstrates progress with this project and brings us one step closer towards the delivery of a Maritime Helicopter capability that provides the Canadian Forces with a modern, flexible helicopter to assist in the defence of Canada and Canadian interests well into the future.
While the arrival of this helicopter does not mark formal delivery at this time, progress on this important procurement continues. The helicopter will remain under Sikorsky title and control until Sikorsky meets all of the contractual delivery requirements.
Formal delivery of the first interim maritime helicopter is expected later this summer once a Canadian military airworthiness certificate is granted and once initial aircrew flight training is conducted.
The new Cyclone, in its final configuration, will be at the forefront of modern technology and will be one of the most capable maritime helicopters in the world.”
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