Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) News and Discussions

[John Fedup]

Hope junior doesn't see it, it might get it put back into service and he can reduce the new Cormorant order. Nice picture of the C295 BTW.

 

[Calculus]

Nice picture of the C295 BTW.

Yeah, it does look pretty sharp painted up like that.

 

[Calculus]

Had to search a bit to find this one, as it was originally published a few years ago. It's a good description of combined SAR operations on the East Coast:

Note in the next 5 years the Hercs will be replaced by this: C295 FWSAR. The Cormorants will all be updated to the AW101-602 standard, with new engines and systems Canada updates SAR Cormorant commitment - www.wingsmagazine.com

 

[Calculus]

Great video showing the loading of a Chinook into a C-17 at CFB Trenton, for the Mali mission:

 

[Calculus]

Nice and balanced article on the Future Fighter Capability project: Erratic flight path: Canada's fighter procurement plan - Skies Mag

 

[John Fedup]

Reasonable discussion but let’s face it, there is nothing reasonable about pollies who will make the final decision. A junior- Singh coalition election result equals at best a significantly smaller F-35 buy, an inferior 4th Gen buy or worse, a new RFP. No vendor in their right mind would respond.

 

[Calculus]

Airbus has taken the changes made for the FWSAR bid (and subsequently incorporated into the Canadian airframes) and is marketing them as the "New C295".

Described here: Airbus details enhanced C295 configuration | Jane's 360

 

[Calculus]

Boeing confirms participation on the Future Fighter Capability project: Boeing confirms it is taking part in Canada’s future fighter jet competition

In the article we see that Saab has also confirmed participation, so it looks like a three-pony race now between Gripen E/F, SH Block 3, and F35.

 

[John Fedup]

Boeing is promising 30 billion dollars in business if Canada selects the SH for its fighter replacement. Be interesting to see the details. Don’t think French fry production in Alberta will count anymore. In one way, a SH purchase will provide additional aerospace work when a second replacement is prematurely required in 15 years to replace an obsolete fighter.

Boeing pitches guarantee of billions of dollars of work for Canadian firms if its Super Hornet is picked by Canada

 

[MrConservative]

Boeing confirms participation on the Future Fighter Capability project: Boeing confirms it is taking part in Canada’s future fighter jet competition

In the article we see that Saab has also confirmed participation, so it looks like a three-pony race now between Gripen E/F, SH Block 3, and F35.

I only follow what is happening in Canada here on this thread and I thank people for their coverage of the topic. Alas I don't dig down into the details. Which may lead to the following and somewhat naive question.

Is there scope within the policy terms of RCAF Hornet replacement project to replicate the RAAF's example and have complementary mix of F-35A and EA/18G's?

 

[John Fedup]

That was junior’s plan earlier, buy 18 SHs without tender for emergency replacement of some classics and then later issue a tender for the remaining replacement. This was a ploy to honour his no F-35 election promise. Boeing’s spat with Bombardier and the resulting tariffs on the C-Series ended that plan. Then came the totally stupid used classic buy from Australia, again another delaying tactic. Everything this fool touches turns to $hit and we are stuck with him for another 3 years at least as the opposition parties have to raise a lot more money to afford a no confidence vote on his government.

 

[MrConservative]

That was junior’s plan earlier, buy 18 SHs without tender for emergency replacement of some classics and then later issue a tender for the remaining replacement. This was a ploy to honour his no F-35 election promise. Boeing’s spat with Bombardier and the resulting tariffs on the C-Series ended that plan. Then came the totally stupid used classic buy from Australia, again another delaying tactic. Everything this fool touches turns to $hit and we are stuck with him for another 3 years at least as the opposition parties have to raise a lot more money to afford a no confidence vote on his government.

That is not quite the answer I was postulating John and I am familiar with all that. Specifically I was asking of the possibility of also the EA/18G in its EW/EA role and the F-35A as per the RAAF being an RCAF solution. Is or was EW/EA an aspect of the RFI or has it being ruled out?

 

[Novascotiaboy]

To my knowledge no. It’s to be a single type to avoid two streams of logistics and training and to keep costs down.

 

[John Fedup]

That is not quite the answer I was postulating John and I am familiar with all that. Specifically I was asking of the possibility of also the EA/18G in its EW/EA role and the F-35A as per the RAAF being an RCAF solution. Is or was EW/EA an aspect of the RFI or has it being ruled out?

As @Novascotiaboy said, no EA-18 is on the table. Had the interim SH but gone through I think the RCAF would have pressed for a few of them in the 18 purchase to at least have a capability that would last a little longer. Probably would have been ruled out though. Have to hope for a F-35 NGJ. If Boeing were to win the tender, the RCAF would raise hell to have some of the SH being EA-18Gs and the government would concede. It will be interesting to see the political come of Boeing winning.

 

[t68]

Are they single or dual seat?

 

[pussertas]

Are they single or dual seat?

As far as I know the EA18G has dual seating.

 

[ngatimozart]

Are they single or dual seat?

The F-18G is a twin tandem seater because the back seater has to do EW stuff manually. He / she is an advanced / specialist AWO.

 

[John Fedup]

I don’t know the seat configuration but since the F-35 is only offered in a single seat version afaik, either or should be acceptable. Not sure what requirements are needed for a F-35 capable of EA/EW wrt whether two crew are required. As this important capability has not been publicly mentioned it is probably a distant dream( (sort of like an actual purchase happening ).

 

[Novascotiaboy]

I respect those here who promote the F35 for the RCAF but I just dont see it happening for all the Canadian government procurement screwups that we a so well known for. The F35 is still controversial. Poor availability rates. High cost of operation. Unlikely to have much of an in country support ability. Just to name a few. The fact that Canadian aerospace firms wont get their share of the maintenance pie is a huge issue. As much as I personnally like the Gripen I feel the SH will get the nod. I have been wrong before with other countries accuistions but I will be very surprised if the SH isnt the one chosen.

 

[ngatimozart]

I respect those here who promote the F35 for the RCAF but I just dont see it happening for all the Canadian government procurement screwups that we a so well known for. The F35 is still controversial. Poor availability rates. High cost of operation. Unlikely to have much of an in country support ability. Just to name a few. The fact that Canadian aerospace firms wont get their share of the maintenance pie is a huge issue. As much as I personnally like the Gripen I feel the SH will get the nod. I have been wrong before with other countries accuistions but I will be very surprised if the SH isnt the one chosen.

The way I see it, with the recent history of the CF-18 replacement saga, by the time a decision is made the RNZAF may end up with these: