Re: New Cyclone helicopter

by **GeminiTeam** Sun 05 Dec 2021, 10:36 am

Most RCAF Cyclone helicopters undergoing repairs after cracks discovered

Vernon Ramesar · CBC News · Posted: Dec 04, 2021

New Cyclone helicopter - Page 2 Sikorsky-helicopter

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcaf-grounds-cyclone-helicopters-cracks-1.6273953

by **Accer** Mon 06 Dec 2021, 2:02 pm

12.06.2021

by Whiskey Mon 06 Dec 2021, 4:24 pm

06.12.2021

by **Forcell** Sun 12 Dec 2021, 11:22 am

'Non-standard' repairs made to fix cracks on military helicopters: commander

Published Sunday, December 12, 2021

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/non-standard-repairs-made-to-fix-cracks-on-military-helicopters-commander-1.5704153

by **Zoneforce** Tue 01 Feb 2022, 5:42 am

DND says cracks in 11 of 21 Cyclone maritime helicopters have been repaired

Author of the article:David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date:Jan 31, 2022

Cracks in eleven of the Canadian military’s Cyclone maritime helicopters have been repaired with ten more aircraft still needed to be fixed, according to an update provided by National Defence on Monday.

The Department of National Defence says of the 23 Cyclones that the Royal Canadian Air Force operates, cracks were found on 21.

There is no timeframe when all of the helicopters are to be repaired but defence officials suggest that will be done over the next few months.

The cracks were first discovered on Nov. 26 in the tail of one of the Cyclone helicopters undergoing a routine maintenance inspection. That prompted a fleet-wide inspection.

The cracks were found on a section of the tail structure that is part of the aircraft’s frame, DND spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier explained in an email.

Repairs are being performed now using standard aircraft metal working techniques, he added.

“Sikorsky has worked closely with our technicians since the cracks were found and has made the initial determination that the cracks in the tail sections of CH-148 Cyclone aircraft are the result of structural loads caused by the Electronic Support Measures and Sat/Com antenna mounts while in flight,” Le Bouthillier noted.

Sikorsky is finalizing its analysis and is working on developing a solution that would fix the issue permanently, he added. More details on a longer term solution should be available in a month, Le Bouthillier said.

Canada ordered 28 Cyclone helicopters from Sikorsky, which is owned by U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

Le Bouthillier said Cyclone deliveries are still under way and the final aircraft are expected later this year.

One of the Cyclones crashed April 29, 2020 during a training mission with NATO forces. All six Canadian Forces personnel on board were killed. Software issues played a role in the crash, according to the Canadian Forces.

The previous Conservative government considered cancelling the Cyclone contract in 2013 because of Sikorsky’s failure to deliver what was ordered. The helicopters were eventually accepted by the Royal Canadian Air Force but with less capabilities than originally contracted for.

Defence Watch