Question Period Note: CH-148 Cyclones

Why have operations of the CH-148 Cyclones been temporarily paused?

• We are committed to ensuring that members of the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need to fulfill their missions.
• This includes the CH-148 Cyclone, a maritime helicopter designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
• Recently, a potential issue was identified related to the service life of certain spare parts.
• As soon as this issue was identified, operations of the Cyclone fleet were paused.
• There are no immediate impacts on military operations.
• National Defence and the CH-148 Cyclone manufacturer, Sikorsky, are working together to identify potential parts of concern and replace them if required.
• The safety of our personnel in uniform is paramount, and we are committed to returning the Cyclone fleet to full operations as quickly as possible.

Background

The CH-148 Cyclone:
* The CH-148 Cyclone is a maritime helicopter designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare in support of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) operations.
* While supporting the RCN at sea is the primary role of the Cyclone, it is also capable of supporting a range of other operations, including humanitarian assistance, counter-narcotic operations, fisheries and pollution patrols, search and rescue missions, and utility airlift.
* Maritime helicopters must be able to operate from Halifax-class ships and to integrate with the Navy’s future fleets – the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, the Joint Support Ships, and the River-Class Destroyer.
* National Defence is confident in the safety of the CH-148 Cyclone. All aircraft are maintained and operated in accordance with our rigorous Airworthiness Program.
2025 Temporary Pause
* In April 2025, questions emerged about whether various spare parts for the aircraft were potentially in use beyond their service life.
* Certain aircraft components have a defined service life to ensure continued safety and airworthiness.
* Using parts beyond their defined service life could potentially pose risks to the safety of personnel and equipment.
* Thus, flight operations were temporarily paused until certainty is regained. In the meantime, the RCAF is relying on simulation capability for aircrew training.
* The Royal Canadian Air Force has been inspecting the CH-148 Cyclone fleet aircraft-by-aircraft to replace any parts identified as potentially problematic.
* The first aircraft returned to service on May 27, with a second aircraft expected by May 30.
* Aircraft will be returned to service on an individual basis from that point forward at a rate of approximately one aircraft every one to two weeks. Full resolution of the issue is not expected for several months.
2022 Cyclone mission to Canada’s Arctic:
* In summer 2022, a mission was conducted to ensure that sensors embedded in the CH-148 Cyclone could meet their intended operational capabilities in the Arctic.
* The mission involved sending a Cyclone from its home base at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, to Alert, Nunavut.
* As a result, the CH-148 Cyclone was found capable of operating in the northernmost reaches of the world.
2021 Tail Cracking Issue:
* In November 2021, during routine maintenance, National Defence detected cracks in the tails of 21 CH-148 Cyclone aircraft.
* The cracks were the result of structural loads caused by the Electronic Support Measures and Sat/Com antenna mounts while in flight.
* Repairs were undertaken immediately on all aircraft with the support of the manufacturer, Sikorsky.
* A long-term fix has been identified, of replacing the structural area experiencing the extra stress with a more robust design using a thicker material. These fixes are being embedded during comprehensive aircraft maintenance inspections.
Update Following Recommendations by 2021 Flight Safety Investigation Report:
* Since the June 2021 release of the CH148822 Flight Safety Investigation Report, work has been ongoing to address the Report’s recommended preventive measures.
* Aircrew and experts in flight controls, engineering, software design, and human factors met in working groups to define a solution to enhance the Flight Control System of the CH-148 Cyclone.
* Both Sikorsky and the Royal Canadian Air Force conducted independent testing.
* A technical solution was reached to address the Report’s recommendations, consisting of software upgrades.
* These software upgrades will provide greater latitude to safely maneuver the aircraft should the Flight Director be overridden, with an automatic disconnect function and warning should an unsafe condition arise; and incorporate visual improvements to the annunciation system to enhance pilot awareness.
* A proposal for the implementation plan of these software upgrades was received from Sikorsky in December 2022.
* National Defence has completed the airworthiness certification of the design change and conducted successful testing on the ground in November 2023 and in-flight in June 2024.
* Training updates are due in spring 2025 and then the solution will move to fleet-wide implementation.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy

May 28, 2025

Quick facts

CH-148 Cyclone Project Budget
* Acquisition Cost: $3.2 billion
* In-service support until 2038: $5.8 billion
CH-148 Cyclone Project Timeline
* Contract award: 2004
* First delivery: 6 Cyclones in 2015
* Deliveries to date: 27 Cyclones (26 in service)
* Delivery and acceptance of all 28 Cyclones is expected to be completed in fall 2025.
* One Cyclone was lost in an accident on 29 April 2020 that claimed the lives of six Canadian Armed Forces members while operating from HMCS Fredericton as part of Standing North American Treaty Organization Maritime Group 2.
* Full operational capability: September 2026
* Current estimated life expectancy: 2043
Operational Impact of 2025 Temporary Operational Pause for the CH-148 Cyclone Fleet:
* Currently, only the Cyclone embarked on the HMCS Ville de Quebec is deployed on an international operation, as part of the Royal Navy (United Kingdom) HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group. This Cyclone is available to fly (current as of May 27).
* From a domestic standpoint, these aircraft are not currently required. Should support be required, other aircraft could be used or alternatives sourced. Therefore, there is no operational impact related to the temporary pause of the Cyclone fleet.
* Aircraft will be returned to service on an individual basis at a rate of approximately one aircraft every one to two weeks. Full resolution of the issue, however, is not expected for several months.