Lockheed Martin Wins $10 Million Contract for Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone Software Updates

Lockheed Martin has won a $9.8 million Naval Air Systems Command contract to update electronic-warfare and mission-data software for Canada’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter fleet. The work covers operational flight program software for the AN/ALQ-230 electronic support measures and radar warning receiver system, as well as software for the Canadian Mission Data Load Tool. It includes development, documentation, testing, installation and training to address documented software and system trouble reports. Work is expected to be completed in October 2030.

CH-148 Cyclone Software Update Details

Lockheed Martin will develop updated software for the AN/ALQ-230, which supports the Cyclone’s electronic support measures and radar warning receiver functions. The company will also update the Canadian Mission Data Load Tool. The contract addresses reported problems in those systems rather than replacing the helicopter’s electronic-warfare equipment.

The effort carries the software through testing and installation and includes documentation and training for the updates. Most work will take place in Owego, New York, with smaller portions in Ottawa and Halifax, Canada, and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

CH-148 Cyclone Program Background

The CH-148 is Canada’s shipborne maritime helicopter, used for missions including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, surveillance, search and rescue, and transport. Canada’s broader Maritime Helicopter Project encompasses 28 aircraft, support and spares, ship modifications, and training infrastructure. The fleet has been introduced in stages as aircraft are brought toward the final Capability Release 2.1 configuration.

That fleet work has continued alongside electronic-warfare support. Canada’s 2023–24 defence results report said a Foreign Military Sales contract had been put in place for the Cyclone electronic-warfare subsystem. Its 2024–25 report recorded delivery of a Block 2 aircraft and upgrades of three aircraft to Capability Release 2.1. The new award specifically addresses documented trouble reports affecting the AN/ALQ-230 and Canadian mission-data software.

Award and Contractor Background

The Navy did not competitively procure the contract. It combines firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee work, and the full $9.8 million in Foreign Military Sales funding was obligated at award. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

This award was disclosed by the DoW in its daily press release. Additional contract details will be available on HigherGov in approximately 90 days under N0001927C1010 after the contract is formally disclosed by the government.