Airbus has delivered the first H135 helicopter for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, marking a significant milestone in the modernisation of pilot training for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Designated the CT-153 Juno in Canadian military service, the twin-engine helicopter will be used to train future rotary-wing pilots. The aircraft is equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite and is designed to support a broad range of training activities, from basic flight instruction to advanced instrument and tactical training.
The H135 was selected by SkyAlyne, the prime contractor for the FAcT programme, as part of a broader effort to modernise aircrew training and ensure Canadian military pilots are prepared for increasingly complex operational environments.
The new fleet will be based at 15 Wing Southport and operated by the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School. Canada joins a growing group of 12 military operators worldwide that use the H135 platform for pilot training.
The aircraft are assembled and delivered from Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie and incorporate several Canadian-developed modifications, including enhancements to avionics, communications systems and cockpit functionality.
The delivery forms part of the Canadian Government’s long-term investment in modernising military pilot training. Additional CT-153 Juno helicopters are scheduled to be delivered through 2028 as the FAcT programme expands.
Globally, the H135 family has become one of the leading helicopter training platforms, with more than 1,600 aircraft delivered and over 650,000 flight hours accumulated in military training operations worldwide.