MHP/Cyclone Mission

 

 

MHP/Cyclone Mission

 

            Since the 1960s, the Canadian Navy has been using CH-124 Sea King Helicopters to provide ship borne maritime capabilities. The primary role of the Sea King is Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), but it also performs the duties of Search and Rescue (SAR), fisheries and pollution patrols, counter-narcotics and piracy, domestic and international disaster relief, and international peacekeeping operations.

 

            The Canadian government has initiated a replacement project to bring a more modern and more capable helicopter to the fleet.  In 2000, the Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP) was made a top priority for both the Navy and Air Force and a Request for Proposal was issued for new helicopters.  The bid was ultimately won in 2004 by Sikorsky International Operations Inc. to provide 28 CH-148 Cyclone helicopters.

 

            HMCS Montréal was tasked to facilitate the integration of the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter into the fleet. However, an operation of this magnitude does not happen over night.  Both the Canadian Forces and Sikorsky are working together to complete a series of tests and validations before this aircraft can be included operationally into the fleet, with a major milestone being the initial operating trials on HMCS Montréal.

 

For the introduction of this new capability, HMCS Montréal has been going through a series of Maritime Helicopter Engineering Preparations which has involved a complete reconstruction of the hangar and flight deck over the past several years.  Since completing the reconstruction, HMCS Montréal has successfully completed Air Work Ups, which tested the abilities of the crew to conduct routine flying operations as well as to respond to some critical situations such as a Helicopter In-Flight Emergency, a Helicopter Crash on Deck, and combating shipboard fires.

 

A total of 3 phases with different requirements will be conducted to assist in the integration of the Cyclone into the fleet; these steps are collectively referred to as Shipboard Helicopter Operational Limitation (SHOL) Phases. The first SHOL phase will consist of basic testing and operating the helicopter in fair weather (calm seas). The second SHOL phase entails more operational tests during both day and night flights, and at higher seas.  Finally the last SHOL phase will be the hardest of the three with the operation of the new helicopter in challenging weather conditions in order for the crew and the aircraft to test their limitations to the maximum. Upon completion of all SHOL testing, HMCS Montréal will have completed her work in facilitating the introduction of the CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter into the fleet.

 

The Maritime Helicopter is an essential requirement within the Canadian Navy which will greatly enhance the Canadian Forces’ ability to conduct operations in the maritime element.  HMCS Montréal and her crew are proud to be the initial platform to bring the new CH-148 Cyclone into service.

Date modified:

3/28/2010

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