According to leaked documents obtained by CBC News, the Air Force is concerned about continuing to operate the aging weapons systems aboard the CH-148 Cyclone into the future.
It is no exaggeration to say that the $5.8 billion maritime helicopter project is a work in progress for the Department of Defense (DND) and the aircraft’s US manufacturer Sikorsky.
It will soon be 20 years since the previous Liberal government ordered the aircraft to replace its fleet of CH-128 Sea Kings, a 1960s workhorse that operated for decades from the decks of Canada’s warships. .
But despite two decades and billions of dollars spent, not all of the 28 Cyclone helicopters originally ordered by the federal government have been delivered.
And DND does not believe the Cyclones delivered so far have reached final “operational capability.” This is an important designation that indicates that the military is satisfied that it has achieved results commensurate with the price paid.
Late Tuesday, the Pentagon confirmed in a media statement that it is seeking outside consultants to “define potential options” for the fleet.
Retired Colonel Larry McFah, an aviation specialist who commanded No. 423 Squadron while flying the CH-124 Sea Kings, said Canada is the only country flying the militarized CH-148. As a result, maintaining and updating the Cyclone’s weapons systems will be a huge and costly challenge. Sikorsky S-92 version.
Makwah, who has followed the Cyclone program since its inception, said parts will become increasingly difficult to obtain and may even have to be specially manufactured.
The leaked documents – a PowerPoint presentation dated September 23, 2023, and a spreadsheet detailing technical concerns raised by Air Force bases and Air Wings across the country – are based in New South Wales, where many of the Cyclones are based. Shearwater’s 12th Wing conducts mid- to long-term “sustainability of the CH-148 weapon system.”
A leaked internal report warns that the Canadian Armed Forces’ Cyclone helicopter’s weapons systems are becoming obsolete, nearly 20 years after they were first procured and as the country continues to wait for the final two aircraft to be delivered. ing.
The documents, reviewed by CBC News, were presented to military leaders last fall.
“Operational relevance is in question as critical systems such as secure secure communications/tactical data links/major weapons expire without alternative routes,” the spreadsheet states.
DND said in a written statement that the Air Force is aware of the concerns.
optimistic timeline
“Secure communications, tactical data links, and weapons (improved torpedoes) replacements are all being actively pursued, and funding is being sought to complete all upgrades,” the statement said.
Air Force planners do not yet expect the replacement system to be installed and operational in early testing until 2031. The ministry said first aid measures were being considered.
“However, studies are underway to identify and implement limited interim capabilities for both torpedoes and secure communications by 2025 to reduce the impact on operations,” the DND statement said. Ta. “A limited interim tactical data system investigation is also underway.”
When the Cyclones were first ordered in 2004, then-Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Liberal government expected the helicopters to be operational by 2010-2011 at the latest.
This turned out to be a very optimistic schedule, as neither DND nor the manufacturer anticipated the technical complexities involved in repurposing a civilian helicopter for military use.
sunk cost
By 2013, then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government (which also hired outside consultants) was considering canceling the Cyclone program altogether amid mounting costs and delays.
But the government chose to stick with the plan, even though by that point it had already spent $1.7 billion on the project and had only received four test helicopters.
Under the terms of a revised contract with Sikorsky signed nearly a decade ago, the Air Force was scheduled to begin receiving 28 “fully functional” CH-148 Cyclone helicopters in 2018.
DND acknowledged in a statement that the helicopter is not operating to its full potential and is likely not fully operational by the established 2025 deadline.
“Given current personnel and resource constraints, it is unlikely that 12th Wing and the RCAF will achieve FOC.” [Full Operating Capability] by 2025,” the statement reads.
Lack of human resources and parts
The Air Force maintains that the lack of skilled personnel is a problem plaguing the entire military. The Air Force base in Shearwater does not have enough skilled personnel available to bring the fleet up to standard.
“Another reason for the delay is disruption in global supply chains, resulting in delays in most industries,” the DND statement said.
“As a result, deliveries of Units 27 and 28 have been delayed as Sikorsky waits for parts. Delivery of Unit 27 is scheduled for early 2024 through 2024.” [second quarter] The 28th and final aircraft will arrive in 2025. ”
Mr Makwa said it was important that the ministry recognized the impact of the parts shortage.
“The sustainability of the cyclone fleet is in question and will continue to get worse,” he said.
“If a manufacturer is unable to deliver the parts needed to deliver a contracted product to a customer, one can only imagine how difficult it will be for the customer to obtain replacement parts to support the product already delivered. ”
“Orphaned” system
Makwa said the problem has to do with the fact that the Cyclone is what the military calls an “orphan weapon system.” The fact is that other countries don’t fly Cyclones, and fewer replacement parts are needed.
The communications and combat systems the Air Force is now struggling to replace may have been cutting-edge in 2004, but they were also unique to helicopters, he said.
“Even if we could find a supplier to manufacture replacement parts or repair failed components for such a small fleet, the costs would inevitably be very high.” Makwa said.
“This was completely foreseeable in 2004.”
He added that unless the government invests significant funds, “manufacturers have no incentive to retain technicians and engineers to service and support small, obsolete vehicles that are no longer on the production line.” added.
Dave Perry, a defense analyst and director of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, said it was interesting that the Department of Defense chose to seek outside advice.
He added that given all the problems with previous Cyclone programs, he wonders if federal officials are considering replacing them with something less problematic.
“Recently, several of Canada’s allies have essentially done just that, moving toward reducing losses and considering replacement aircraft for some of their declining helicopters. I don’t know if we’ve reached that point,” Perry said. The organization has hosted conferences that are sometimes sponsored by defense contractors.
