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Polish Army Aviation Mi-17s to Afghanistan
The origins of the Polish Mi-17 V-1 transport helicopters and adaptations for their Afghan
deployment. Two of these Hip helicopters will be “at the disposal of Canada” in
Kandahar.
Leased Medium Lift Helicopters?
With Chinooks
long delayed and help with medium-lift declined by most of our European allies, NATO is
considering leased aircraft – most likely Russian-built Mil Mi-17 Hip helicopters.
Sikorsky CH-148 (H-92) Cyclone
Procurement history of the CH-148 planned shipboard aircraft, winner of the Maritime Helicopter Project.
Sea King to Afghanistan? Amid
persistant rumours that CF Sea Kings might deploy to Kandahar, we revisit the CH-124, defensive aids, variants and troop-carrier
conversion.
Also see assessing further Sea King upgrade
potential (Carson composite blades)
Medium-lift Helicopters: Comparing Capabilities
In 1991, DND decided to sell off the small CF fleet of medium-lift helicopters (seven surviving Boeing CH-147
Chinooks) as an economy measure. A true tactical lift capability has been lacking since. One of the first
announcements by CDS, General Hillier, was the need for new a “heavy-lift” helicopter – to be
described later as the CF Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter (MHLH) requirement which resulted in an ACAN
(below). We summarized the capabilities of major “medium” candidates.
Update: An Advance Contract
Award Notice (ACAN) was issued 05 June 2006 to single-source 16 Boeing CH-47s. Interim, leased Chinooks were being considered.
The Sikorsky S-80 / CH-53E Super Stallion
The CH-53 Super Stallion can be thought of as the nautical equivalent to the Chinook.
It’s big and very powerful (in its three-engined ’E model form). With its USMC roots,
the CH-53 was designed for shipboard operations (unlike the non-folding Chinook). Unfortunately, like
CH-47s, the CH-53 has become a hot property.
Sikorsky H-92 – Cyclone Order Add-on?
A fairly obvious option for future medium- lift helicopter is Sikorsky’s H-92, winner of the drawn-out Maritime
Helicopter Project. Naval helicopters have folding rotors and tails which ease transport (although even a civil
S-92 fits in a An-124, right). What is less certain is the lifting power of the H-92.
... or a Littler ’Lifter – the
Sikorsky S-70 ’Hawk Family
The H-92 inherited its ‘flight dynamics’ from the earlier S-70 family. The latter has a smaller cabin and
lacks the rear ramp. But, in its latest models, S-70s have the same more powerful engines used by the H-92s. Since
S-70s have smaller, lighter fuselages, added power translates into increased payload – in other words,
while its cabin may lack volume, an S-70 can sling heavier external loads. S-70s (as UH-60 Black Hawks)
were also designed for transport by air without disassembly.
... or Return to the Original? – Boeing’s CH-47
The big twin-rotored Boeing has been retired from CF service for moe than a decade. So far, nothing rivals the
CH-47 – the US Army is aiming at seven decades of service for its Chinooks. Should DND go shopping
for Chinooks to fill the gaps left by Chinooks? Other medium-lift helicopters lack the CH-47’s
internal volume and lifting power but this comes at a price – cost and transport difficulties.
... um, did you say lawsuit? – AgustaWestland’s EH-101
The CF’s in-service CH-149 Cormorant SAR helicopter is based
on a utility model of EH-101. Relations between the manufacturer and DND could hardly be worse but the EH- 101 has
much to recommend itself in the medium-lift role – it’s three-engined, has a ramp, and naval models fold
(left).
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