8 JUNE/JULY 2026 www.vanguardcanada.com
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SIT REP
First CT-153 Juno Training Helicopter Delivered to RCAF
The first of 19 CT-153 Juno helicopters was completed and custom-
ized at Airbus Helicopters' facility in Fort Erie, Ontario, before being
delivered to the RCAF at Southport, Manitoba, on June 17.
Photo: SkyAlyne
Airbus has delivered the first H135 helicopter under the Fu-
ture Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. Designated the CT-153
Juno in RCAF service, the aircraft will support basic rotary-
wing instruction, advanced instrument flight rules training
and tactical mission preparation.
The fleet will be based at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training
School in Southport, Manitoba.
The aircraft are completed and delivered from Airbus Heli-
copters' facility in Fort Erie, where they receive Canadian-de-
veloped modifications to their avionics and communications
systems, along with custom cockpit work.
SkyAlyne, a joint venture of CAE and KF Aerospace, selected the
H135 for the program and will acquire 19 Junos in total. Deliver-
ies of the remaining helicopters will continue through 2028.
The Juno is equipped with Airbus' Helionix avionics suite,
which is designed to ease pilots' transition to larger and more
complex aircraft. It is the second FAcT aircraft type delivered
to Canada, following the first two CT-102B Astra II basic train-
ers in September 2025.
FAcT is a 25-year, $11.2-billion contract awarded to SkyAl-
yne in May 2024. The program will introduce 71 aircraft across
five fleets and consolidate pilot, air combat systems officer and
airborne electronic sensor operator training now delivered
through multiple arrangements.
"It is our collective mission to make sure the RCAF has an
unfair advantage in the skies," said Kevin Lemke, General Man-
ager of SkyAlyne.
