By Canadian Press

Military procurement chief stands by naval helicopters despite recent problems

Dec 22, 2021 | 12:26 PM

OTTAWA — The Defence Department’s top procurement official says he would feel safe flying on one of the military’s new naval helicopters despite the fleet’s rash of recent problems.

Assistant deputy minister of materiel Troy Crosby says he is more concerned about the narrative that has started to emerge around the Cyclones since they entered service three years ago.

Military officials and Sikorsky Aircraft, which builds the Cyclone, have been working for several weeks to repair tail cracks recently discovered on nearly the entire fleet.

At the same time, the military and Sikorsky are still devising a fix to the software issue that caused one of the Cyclones to crash off the coast of Greece last year, killing all six Armed Forces members on board.

Crosby says issues always pop up whenever a new piece of equipment enters service, but that he remains confident in the Cyclone and would not worry about flying on one of the helicopters today.  

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

3h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

3h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

4h ago

Royal Canadian Air Force commander Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger also recently expressed his confidence in the Cyclones, though he did acknowledge being unhappy about the tail cracks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 22, 2021.

The Canadian Press