Monday
March 27, 2000
Kaman pursues Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., USA ( Kaman Aerospace Press Release ) -
Kaman Aerospace International Corp. said today that a variant of the company's advanced SH-2G Super Seasprite could provide an economically viable solution to Canada's requirement for a new maritime helicopter.
Terry Higginbotham, vice president, military helicopter marketing for Kaman, said the company is awaiting the release of a Statement of Requirements for the new maritime helicopter from Canada's departments of National Defence, Public Works and Governments Services. "From what we currently understand about the program," he said, "we believe the SH-2G Super Seasprite can fulfill the mission requirements being considered by Canada for its maritime helicopter, and without the need for costly ship modifications."
Kaman's SH-2G is a multi-mission, intermediate size helicopter that can be armed with various air-to-surface missiles and outfitted with advance sensors for total sea control. Its capabilities include anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, tactical troop transport and utility. Powered by two GE-T700 engines, it has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any helicopter in its class, giving it true "return to ship" single-engine capability.
The SH-2G is capable of simultaneous missions as well as rapid role changes, including environmental and fisheries patrol, surveillance, third party targeting, anti-mine warfare, naval gunfire spotting, troop insertions and extractions, utility, interdiction of shipping and anti-smuggling.
The SH-2G is operational with the U. S. Navy Reserve and the Egyptian Air Force, and versions currently are in production for the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy. The aircraft is being marketed to a number of countries to meet the emerging need for a cost-effective, technologically advanced, intermediate-weight helicopter.
Kaman