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Background  —  Medium-Lift Helicopter Comparisons  —  the H-92

Update: On 05 June 2006, the Harper government issued an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) to single-source 16 Boeing CH-47s.

H-92 – a New Weather Front? Winner of the MHP  (Maritime Helicopter Project), Sikorsky’s H-92 is due to enter CF service as CH-148 Cyclones. As a ship board aircraft, the CH-148s will be laden with electronics – but the configuration also matches CF medium-lifter requirements.

The advantage of a utility model H-92 for the medium lift role is obvious  –  the aircraft will have  maximum commonality with shipboard CH-148s. Indeed there would be advantages to retaining some naval features like folding tail boom and rotor blades  (making for easy shipment by sea with the bonus of compact hangarage on land). The H-92s have a good- sized cabin, rear ramp, and reasonable range.

Sikorsky H-92 / CH-148 Cyclone  (Utility)  —  Specifications   Length (overall):   17.32m (fuselage), 20.85m (rotors turning)   Dim. (unfolded):   5.26m wide (incl. stabilator)  x  5.47m high   Rotor diameters:   17.71m (main rotor), 3.35m (tail rotor)   Cabin/hold size:   6.00m L  x  2.0m W  x  1.8m H, 21.6 cu m   Weights:   max all-up (ext. load) 12000kg, 4535kg hoist   Performance:   cruise 250km/h, max 280km/h, range 880km,   Powerplant:   2 x 2300kW (3100shp) CT-7-8C turboshafts

As always, there is a trade-off. The H-92 was based on the dynamics of the earlier model Sikorsky S-70.[1] The increased size and weight of the H-92s meant adopting more powerful engines –  still GE CT-7s but now a new sub-type). The result is a largely untried engine type in a largely untried airframe, a change made necessary to ensure that a H-92 could hoist a useful load  (essential to a medium-lift helicopter. Limitations aside, the H-92 appeals because orders have already been placed – all DND need do is order more to avoid another MHP. [2]

[1] The S-70 family includes the familiar UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60 Seahawk. The later S-92 (the civil predecessor to the military H-92 model) combined S-70 flight dynamics with a completely new and larger fuselage with a rear ramp, and a retractable tricycle undercarriage. [2]  The Maritime Helicopter Project (replacing the New Shipboard Aircraft project) took a quarter century from start to finish.  Gen Hillier, the new CDS, has made is clear that he is looking for much quicker results  and  far less squabbling among branches over available funds.