Rheinmetall, Sikorsky Unveil The Cyclone In Bonn

The proposed Cyclone Naval Helicopter was recently presented by Rheinmetall and Sikorsky at a joint news conference in Bonn. With a view to the German Navy’s planned procurement of thirty multi-role naval helicopters to replace its current Sea King systems, the companies have joined forces with additional partners in what they say is a pioneering alliance.

CH-148 Cyclone File Photo

With spare parts for the Sea King increasingly hard to come by and levels of operational readiness for remaining aircraft no longer adequate, the Germany Navy’s requirement for new systems is deemed to be urgent. The Cyclone helicopter from Sikorsky offered by the German Multi-Role Helicopter Team, in which Rheinmetall plays a decisive role, is viewed as a promising candidate for procurement.

Within the Sikorsky consortium, Rheinmetall is responsible for future system logistics and in-service support (ISS), and will also be responsible for the full range of instruction and flight crew training operations.

The companies say that the Cyclone helicopter meets the German Navy’s requirements. It is capable of simultaneously performing multiple roles, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare operations and engaging surface combatants. It is also equipped for search and rescue missions.

Recently selected by the Canadian Navy, the aircraft is currently undergoing trials under the designation CH148. The companies say the Cyclone derives from the extensively used civilian S-92 civilian helicopter, which is used in the oil and gas industry for for servicing offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea and the waters off Newfoundland, Brazil, Australia, Malaysia and China and elsewhere.

The German Navy’s new helicopter is to be deployed primarily in ship-based mode on its 124/125-class frigates and 702-class combat support ships. Among the new naval helicopter’s tasks will be:

• Maritime surveillance and generating an operational picture at sea.
• SAR with enough carrying capacity to evacuate ten rescued crewmembers.
• Recon of suspicious vessels, including engagement of hostile surface combatants with torpedoes and guided anti-ship missiles.
• Anti-submarine warfare.
• Conducting boarding operations.
• Transporting tactical personnel and/or material.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com, www.rheinmetall.de/index.php?lang=3&fid=1284