The Canadian Navy’s fleet of Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters will require a second set of engine changes, according to the manufacturer.

Early reports indicate that the Cyclone was fitted with the CT7-8A1 engine, which made the helicopter heavier and less efficient than expected.

A Sikorsky spokeswoman said the engine redesign for the General Electric engines would produce 10% more horsepower for the fleet of 28 Cyclones, according to winnipegfreepress.com.

Currently, General Electric is developing the new upgraded CT7-8A7 engines to equip the final variant of the Cyclone helicopter.

The Cyclone was originally scheduled to replace the navy’s aging fleet of Sea Kings in November 2008 but renegotiations between the parties pushed the deadline back to June 2012.

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