SHEARWATER, N.S. (CP) - After decades of delay, the Liberal government announced Friday it has chosen the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter to replace its ancient fleet of Sea Kings. Defence Minister Bill Graham, only four days into his new job, made the announcement of the $3.2-billion purchase Friday morning before a squadron of Sea King helicopter pilots and crew gathered at a military base near Halifax.
"Sikorsky's S-92 represents the right helicopter for the Canadian Forces at the best price for Canadians," he said. "The country will be getting a robust maritime helicopter that will meet our military needs for many years to come."
Canadian Sea King pilots have composed a "theme song" for their service, sung to the tune of the 1970s pop hit "Seasons in the Sun" beginning:
Goodbye papa, please pray for me
My helicopter's crashing in the sea.
The chorus runs
We had joy, we had fun, we had Sea Kings in the sun
But the engines are on fire and the Sea Kings must retire.> |
The S-92 medium lift twin engine helicopter is manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The S-92 is an evolution of Sikorsky's S-70 US Army Black Hawk and US Navy Seahawk helicopters and is available in a 19-seat passenger commercial, a 22 troop utility and a number of mission-specific configurations including Search and Rescue (SAR), government and VIP transportation. The H-92 Superhawk is the military variant which has been demonstrated to the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. H-92 has more powerful GE CT7-8C engines, rated at 2,300kW (3,070shp). The search and rescue variant provides space for seats, litters, auxiliary fuel and SAR emergency equipment. |