The EH.101 was chosen as Canada new search and rescue helicopter to replaced the CH-113 Labrador after the cancellation of the CH-148 Petrel.
The first unit to receive the Cormorant was 442 Transport & Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing in Comox, British Columbia. The base initially host five helicopters that formed the Operational Training Unit. The remaining ten aircraft were divided between 413 Squadron at 14 Wing in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, 424 Squadron at 8 Wing in Trenton, Ontario and 103 Squadron at 9 Wing in Gander , Newfoundland. Canada has become the first third-party customer to use the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) at RAF Benson for training personnel which includes British Mk3 flight simulators
In 2011, Canada acquired 7 VH-71 airframes after the US cancelled the Marine One replacement program.
In 2017 were announced plans to expand the CH-149 fleet by converting these aircraft and in 2019 was confirmed that the entire fleet will be upgrade to the AW101 612 standard under the CMLU program to allow them to serve beyond 2040
In July 2021, the CH-149 Cormorant fleet reached 100,000 flying hours.
In December 2022, Leonardo UK awarded contract for upgrade of 13 CH-149 plus 3 additional airframes.
The first unit to receive the Cormorant was 442 Transport & Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing in Comox, British Columbia. The base initially host five helicopters that formed the Operational Training Unit. The remaining ten aircraft were divided between 413 Squadron at 14 Wing in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, 424 Squadron at 8 Wing in Trenton, Ontario and 103 Squadron at 9 Wing in Gander , Newfoundland. Canada has become the first third-party customer to use the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) at RAF Benson for training personnel which includes British Mk3 flight simulators
In 2011, Canada acquired 7 VH-71 airframes after the US cancelled the Marine One replacement program.
In 2017 were announced plans to expand the CH-149 fleet by converting these aircraft and in 2019 was confirmed that the entire fleet will be upgrade to the AW101 612 standard under the CMLU program to allow them to serve beyond 2040
In July 2021, the CH-149 Cormorant fleet reached 100,000 flying hours.
In December 2022, Leonardo UK awarded contract for upgrade of 13 CH-149 plus 3 additional airframes.
Units |
Years | Units | Base |
---|---|---|
2002- | 413 Squadron | CFB Greenwood |
2002- | 103 Squadron | CFB Gander |
2001- | 442 Squadron | CFB Comox |
Deployments |
List of Aircraft |
C/N | Built | ID In this Org | In other Org | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50054 | 2000 | 149901 CSH01/511001, f/f , d/d CFB Comox 03May02 | ||||
50058 | 2001 | 149902 902 First in Canadian full SAR yellow/red livery | ||||
50071 w/o 2022 | 149903 CSH03/511003. d/d CAF 08jul02 | |||||
50076 | 2001 | 149904 CSH04/511004. d/d 20oct01 | ||||
50080 | 2001 | 149905 CSH05/511005. d/d 20oct01 | ||||
50086 | 2002 | 149906 CSH06/511006, pictured | ||||
50090 | 2002 | 149907 CSH07/511007 | ||||
50098 | 2002 | 149908 CSH08/511008. d/d CFB Gander 8jul02 | ||||
50102 | 2002 | 149909 909 CSH09/511009. d/d 24aug02 | ||||
50112 | 2002 | 149910 14-9910 CSH10/511010 | ||||
50119 | 2002 | 149911 CSH11/511011 | ||||
50124 | 2003 | 149912 CSH12/511012 | ||||
50130 | 2003 | 149913 CSH13/511013 | ||||
50134 w/o 2006 | 2003 | 149914 CSH14/511014; w/o 13jul06, crashed into the sea of Nova Scotia. 3 fatalities | ||||
50132 | 2003 | 149915 CSH15/511015 |