Airbus delivers first H135 helicopter trainer to Canadian air force

The acquisition is part of a wholesale modernisation of Canada’s military trainer fleet, including both rotary- and fixed-wing platforms.

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first H135 rotary-wing trainer to the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The light twin will enter service with the RCAF as the CT-153 Juno after being turned over from Airbus’ completion centre in Fort Erie, Ontario. At that site, each H135 receives Canada-specific modifications to avionics and communications, as well as the distinctive blue-and-yellow RCAF trainer livery.

The name ‘Juno’ references the section of Normandy beach where Canadian troops landed in France on D-Day in 1944.

Ottawa plans to field 19 H135s for rotary-wing flight instruction as part of its C$11.2 billion ($8.1 billion) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) initiative to modernise the entire Canadian trainer fleet. That programme covers 71 aircraft across five types to be used for basic and advanced flight training, multi-engine certification and airborne systems operation.

Deliveries of Canada’s remaining H135s trainers are to occur through 2028, Airbus says.

The FAcT programme is administered by SkyAlyne – a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace. SkyAlyne was responsible for selecting and procuring each of the trainer aircraft to be fielded by the RCAF.

“It is our collective mission to make sure the RCAF has an unfair advantage in the skies,” says Kevin Lemke, General Manager of SkyAlyne. “Our selection of the CT-153 Juno (Airbus H135) is a core component of that effort.”

The H135 will replace Canada’s Bell 206 and Bell 412 training helicopter fleets. The country’s inaugural CT-153 logged its first flight in May.

“This first delivery is an important step forward for the Future Aircrew Training programme and the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, and it highlights the depth of capability being delivered here in Canada,” says Dwayne Charette, president of Airbus Helicopters in Canada.

There are 12 other military operators globally using the H135 as trainers: the UK Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Army, German army, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Moroccan Air Force, and all three branches of the Spanish armed forces.

Additional countries fly the H135 as a frontline military aircraft.

Canada’s CT-153 fleet will be operated by the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at 15 Wing in Southport, Manitoba.