CASR  Background   ~  Helicopters

This Background Index previously focused on the Canadian Forces medium-lift tactical helicopters required for Afghanistan. That medium-lift role has now been filled through the purchase of six ex-US Army CH-147D Chinooks. At the end of Canada's Afghan mission, remaining CH-146s  – one CF Chinook is said to have been lost to enemy action – are to be sold back to the US government. Those 'D models will be replaced by CH-147F MHLH (Medium-to Heavy-Lift Helicopters).

In earlier Background pages, we covered CF options and alternatives to hard-to get Chinooks. With CH-147s in place with Canada's JTF-Afghanistan Air Wing in Kandahar, those alternatives became moot and the pages have been removed.

Canadian Forces Helicopters Roles

There are now only three major helicopter roles for the Canadian Forces – utility, filled by the Canadian Forces Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter (CFUTTH) in the form of Bell CH-146 Griffons [1]; Medium-to Heavy-Lift Helicopters (MHLH) in the form of CH-147 Chinooks; and Maritime Helicopters in the form of  the in- service CH-124 Sea Kings and their pending replacements, the CH-148 Cyclone.

Canadian Forces Maritime Helicopters

Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King  Prior to the purchase of the six CH-147Ds, there were rumours that CF Sea Kings might deploy to Kandahar. We reviewed the CH-124 's variants, defensive aids, and troop-carrier conversion. We also covered rumours (unfounded) that the CH-124 would be upgraded with Carson composite blades.


Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone
The CH-148 maritime helicopter's procurement history is torturous. one winner of  the Maritime Helicopter Project.

Maritime Helicopter Project  (Procurement Documents)

•  Maritime Helicopter Training Centre  ( MHTC )  at CFB Shearwater

•  CH-148 Cyclone – Delays and Contract Adjustments  GoC news release

•  Sikorsky H-92 (CH-148 Cyclone) US  Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Notice