Sikorsky Says It Will Deliver Eight More Cyclone Helicopters To Canada By The End of December

November 2, 2013. David Pugliese Defence Watch

Sikorsky’s chief financial officer says the company plans to deliver eight more Cyclone helicopters to Canada by the end of December.

Greg Hayes discussed the move during a third-quarter earnings phone call a couple of days ago with analysts. His statement is similar to what Sikorsky has been stating over the last little while.

The 8 Cyclones are in addition to the four already at Shearwater and being used for training….but not formally accepted by the Canadian government.

“Good news is the aircraft are up in Shearwater,” Hayes said. “They are flying. We’re getting traction with the customer. I think everybody recognizes they want to find a solution here, both at the Sikorsky and at the Canadian government level.”

Public Works has stated, however, that “training does not constitute acceptance of an interim helicopter.”

Dominic Perry of Flight Global has also noted that Hayes has hinted that contract negotiations with Canada could be imminent. “I’m going to be very cautious here. That’s atypical with me. I would say that we’re making progress, although it’s slow. And I think again, we haven’t really started formal contract negotiations,” said Hayes.