CC-115 Buffalo

CC-144 Challenger

The Cormorant has been chosen as Canada's new Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter. The first of 15 enetered squadron service in 2002 at 19 Wing Comox. The entire fleet will be in operation by the spring of 2004.

It has three powerful engines, long-range capability and a large cargo area. Its ice protection system, allowing it to operate in continuous icing conditions, and its ability to withstand high winds, make it ideal for Canada's demanding geography and climate.

Offering ample and versatile cabin space with rear-ramp access, the Cormorant can carry12 stretchers or a load of 5,000 kg. The Cormorant routinely conducts rescues that would have been impossible for it's predecessor, the CH-113 Labrador. In December, 2002, a Cormorant conducted a 1600 km round-trip medevac of an injured Norwegian sailor in winds of up to 130 km/hr, refuelling twice at the Hibernia oil production platform. In January, 2003 another Cormorant crew rescued all 16 members of the crew of the Finnish cargo ship “Camilla�?in a single flight.

Sikorsky H92 Selected as New Canadian Forces Maritime Helicopter

Photo by Sikorsky

After a thorough pre-qualification and bid evaluation process, the Government of Canada has selected the H92 proposed by Sikorsky as the winner of the Maritime Helicopter Project.

�?The Government of Canada firmly believes that the Sikorsky H92 helicopter represents the right helicopter for the Canadian Forces at the best price for Canadians,�?said the honourable Bill Graham, Minister of National Defence. “The Sikorsky H92 provides a world-class robust, multi-role helicopter that will serve our defence needs for years to come.�?/P>

�?With this completion of the evaluation of proposals and the selection of the winning supplier, the Maritime Helicopter Project has marked an important milestone,�?said the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. “The Government has conducted a fair, open and comprehensive procurement process, and now looks forward to the next stage of the procurement process, the establishment of formal contracts with the supplier.�?/P>

Photo by Sikorsky

" More than simply providing the right helicopter, the Sikorsky bid is a true win for Canadian high technology industries, particularly the aerospace and defence companies who will partner in the delivery and long term service of these helicopters," said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Industry. "This project will deliver sustained industrial activity in regions across Canada, in our small businesses and in our Aboriginal businesses, and will showcase our talented work force and innovative companies long after the delivery of the last helicopter."

�?The selection of the Sikorsky H92 helicopter heralds an exciting new era for the men and women who operate our maritime helicopters,�?said General Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence Staff. “The addition of a cutting-edge maritime helicopter will greatly enhance the ability of the Navy and Air Force to conduct domestic maritime security operations and support international missions.�?

Photo by Sikorsky

Sikorsky will be awarded two separate, but interrelated contracts. The first contract will cover the acquisition of 28 fully integrated, certified and qualified helicopters with their mission systems installed, and will also include modifications to the 12 Halifax Class ships. The second contract will be for a 20-year in-service support contract that includes a training building, and a simulation and training suite. The contract should be finalized and signed this fall.

Delivery of the first helicopter is required to be no later than 48 months from contract award with the remaining helicopters to be delivered at a rate of one per month thereafter. The contract has a series of bonuses for early delivery but also imposes penalties for late delivery, making it very much in the company’s interest to deliver the helicopters as soon as possible.

The Canadian-designed and -produced CT-142 Dash-8 navigation trainer is operated by 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron in support of the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School (CFANS) at 17 Wing Winnipeg.

The Dash-8 is a conversion of the popular Dash-8 turboprop airliner, specifically to meet the needs of training air navigators in aerial navigation and tactics.

CFANS trains both Canadian and foreign air navigators, recent students have come from Singapore, New Zealand and Germany.

From the east to the west coast, from Honduras to the high Arctic, and even in Kosovo and Bosnia, the CH146 Griffon has been there for the men and women of the Canadian Forces.

As Canada's Utility Transport Tactical Helicopter (UTTH), the Griffon provides a robust, reliable and cost-effective capability to conduct: airlift of equipment and personnel, command and liaison flights, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, logistic transport, search and rescue, counter-drug operations, and domestic relief operations.

As the workhorse of 1 Wing, the CH146 Griffon helicopter has conducted in humanitarian relief operations at home and abroad including, the Saguenay area during the floods of 1996 (OP SAGUENAY), Manitoba (OP ASSISTANCE), during the floods of 1997(OP ASSISTANCE), the Ice Storm of 1998 (OP RECUPERATION) Honduras in 1998 (OP CENTRAL) and most recently, Haiti during Op HALO. It is also used to support annual maintenance on the High Arctic Data Communications System (HADACS) in Ellesmere Island, NU.

Griffons are used by Combat Support Squadrons at 3, 4 and 5 Wings to support fighter operations by providing a search and rescue capability and utility transportation support to fighter training and operations

Griffons have been deployed internationally. They were in Haiti in 1996-1997 (OP STANDARD and OP CONSTABLE) again in 2004 (Op HALO) in Kosovoin 1999-2000 (OP KINETIC).

Student pilots chosen to attend NATO Flying Training in Canada will do their basic flight training in Moose Jaw, Sask. on the Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II, a basic turboprop trainer. It boasts an impressive thrust-to-weight ratio, offering an initial climb rate in excess of 3,300 feet per minute. It reaches 18,000 feet in less than six minutes and can do sustained 2G turns at 25,000 feet.

Canadian pilots training on the Harvard II will arrive at Moose Jaw from initial screening at Portage la Prairie. They will spend 95 hours on the Harvard II at which point they'll be streamed into the fighter, multi-engine or helicopter programs for further training.

Student pilots in the NATO Flying Training in Canada program selected for jet training will transit from the CT-156 Harvard II to the CT-155 Hawk, and will continue to train at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. In addition, the Hawk will be used at 4 Wing Cold Lake during the fourth phase of jet pilot training.

Powered by the Rolls-Royce Mk.871 Adour turbofan engine which provides more than 6,000 pounds of thrust (6030), the CT-155 Hawk has a maximum speed at sea level of 560 knots, a design limit of +8 G to -4 G and can fly at Mach1.2.

The BAE SYSTEMS Hawk 115 was selected for its similarities to sophisticated front-line fighter Aircraft. Its principle features include: an advanced glass cockpit with a Heads Up Display (HUD); a multi-function display, hands-on throttle and stick controls; integrated navigation & weapon aiming systems; and a high-powered turbofan engine. It is considered one of the most advanced trainers ever built.

With the amount of technology in the Hawk, it is capable of performing a wide range of combat missions, translating into a cost-effective bottom line for pilot training In Canada. Canada's air force is not alone in selecting this modern trainer: It is used the Royal Air Force and 14 other countries, including the United States Navy as its T-45A Goshawk advanced trainer for carrier operations.

Student fighter pilots will spend 80 hours training on the Hawk in Moose Jaw, followed by an additional 45 hours in the Fighter Lead-In program in Cold Lake. At this stage, pilots will be ready to join the Cold Lake Operational Training Unit, which flies Canada's CF-18 Hornets.

FACTS AND FIGURES - CT-155 HAWK Length 12.43m Wingspan 9.08m Height 3.98m Weight 4,400kg Power Rolls-Royce Mk.871 Adour turbofan Speed Mach 0.86 (level); mach 1.2 (dive) Ceiling 48,000ft Range 1500 Nautical Miles Crew 1 student, 1 instructor Year(s) procured Operational November 2000 Quantity in CF 21 Locations 15 Wing Moose Jaw; 4 Wing Cold Lake

The Hercules, considered to be one of the most versatile transport planes, is used to airlift troops, equipment and cargo, in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and in air-to-air refuelling of fighters.

The Hercules can be loaded and unloaded quickly, with little equipment, and is especially useful in delivering supplies because it does not need a lot of room to land.

The plane can also be easily re-configured to carry fuel. During Operation Boxtop, the restocking of Canadian Forces Station Alert, the northernmost permanent habitation in the world, Hercules' are fitted with large fuel tanks to transport more than 100 planeloads of fuel.

Since entering the fleet in 1960, the Hercules has delivered humanitarian aid to trouble spots around the world. In 1999, Canadian Hercules crews ferried emergency relief supplies to tens of thousands of refugees forced out of Kosovo by the Serbian campaign of ethnic cleansing.

By late June 2003, the Tactical Airlift Detachment (TAL Det) in Operation APOLLO had carried approximately six thousand passengers and over 15 million pounds of freight. Since June, Hercules crews and support personnel have been making an important contribution to the UN operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and they will continue to do so through the month of July.

This operation will be immediately followed by another deployment to sustain the 1,800 CF personnel deploying to Kabul, Afghanistan (Video: Camp Mirage Tactical Air Lift - February 2004). In the past two years, the CC-130 Hercules has been actively employed in the War Against Terrorism.

FACTS AND FIGURES - CC-130 HERCULES Aircraft Description The Lockheed-Martin C-130 Hercules tactical transport is arguably the most successful military transport aircraft program in the history of aviation. With its rear cargo ramp, rugged landing gear, good short-field performance and high ground clearance for engines/propellers, the C-130 was designed from day one to operate if necessary from unimproved airstrips in an active theatre of operations. Length 29.3 m (97.8 ft) Wingspan 39.7 m (132.5 ft) Height 11.4 m (38.3 ft) Weight Cargo: 16,330 kg (36,000 lbs) Takeoff: 69,750 kg (155,000 lbs) Power Four Allison T-56-A-7/15 engines Speed 602 km/hr at 6,060 m (20,000 ft) Ceiling 10,000 m (33,000 ft) Range Maximum payload: 3,790 km (2,049 nautical miles) Empty: 8,368 km (4,522 nautical miles) Load 17,320 kg or 92 passengers Crew 7 (SAR) or 2 pilots, 1 navigator, 1 flight engineer, and 1 loadmaster (Transport) Troops up to 90 Paratroops 64 Litters 74 plus two attendants Year(s) procured 1960 to 1991 Quantity in CF 32 Location(s) 14 Wing Greenwood, NS 8 Wing Trenton, ON 17 Wing, Winnipeg, MB

When a CF-18 powers up, the thunderous engines shake the ground.

The twin engines of this supersonic tactical fighter jet deliver a total of 14,580 kg of thrust and speeds of up to Mach 1.8.

The Hornet’s primary roles include air defence, training, tactical support, and air superiority. It has supported missions in both NORAD and NATO. Other roles also include aerobatic demonstration and aerospace test and evaluation.

During the Gulf War, 24 CF-18s were sent to Qatar to participate in the American-led Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns. Canadian pilots flew more than 5,700 hours �?about 2,700 combat air patrol missions �?to protect Canadian naval forces in the Gulf.

The CF-18 can carry a Nitehawk pod that incorporates a forward-looking infra-red sensor that allows pilots to see targets at night. It also has a laser designator to guide precision bombing.

During OPERATION ALLIED FORCE, the 79-day NATO air campaign in former Yugoslavia from March to June of 1999, Canada committed 18 CF-18s to TASK FORCE AVIANO, flying from Aviano Air Base in northern Italy. CF-18s flew 678 sorties, in the air-to-ground and air-to-air roles using both precision guided munitions and unguided "iron" bombs. With much less than 10% of the aircraft committed to the campaign, Canadian aircraft conducted 10% of the NATO strike sorties during the campaign. At the end of the 79-day campaign, the government of Slobodan Milosevioc withdrew its forces from Kosovo, making OPERATION ALLIED FORCE the only conflict won by air power alone.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Canadian fighter force has been heavily committed to OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE, the NORAD internal air defence mission. Immediately following the attacks, armed CF-18 fighters on air sovereignty alert deployed across Canada to protect Canada and Canadians from threats originating within our own airspace, a task that continues.

FACTS AND FIGURES - CF-18 HORNET Aircraft Description The CF-18 is a multipurpose, high-performance twin-engine fighter that can equally well handle air-to-air (air defence, air superiority, combat air patrol, etc.) or ground-attack (close air support, battlefield air interdiction, etc.) roles, aided by on-board computer systems that can be quickly re-programmed to the mission at hand. (Note: The CF-18 is officially designated the “CF188�?in Canadian use, although that identity is rarely employed except in the most official or technical documentation.) Minor differences in the Canadian version include a sidewards-aimed searchlight beneath the fuselage for nighttime visual identifications, survival equipment optimized for the Canadian environment, various cockpit-layout modifications, and a paint scheme incorporating a “spoof�?canopy on the underside of the front fuselage (to hopefully momentarily confuse an opponent in the heat of a dogfight as to “which side is up�?. Length 17 m (56 ft.) Wingspan Deployed: 11.4 m (37.5 ft.) Folded: 8 m (27.5 ft.) Height 3.2 m (10.5 ft.) Weight Empty: 10,615 kg (23,400 lbs.) Takeoff: 16,800 kg (37,000 lbs.) to 20,400 kg (45,000 lbs.) Engine 2 General Electric F404-400 low bypass turbofan engines Thrust Standard: 4,850 kg (10,700 lbs.) Afterburner: 7,290 kg (16,000lbs.) Speed Maximum: Mach 1.8 (1,034 knots, or 1,687 km/hr) Cruise: Mach 0.85 (532 knots, or 868 km/hr) Ceiling 15,240 m (50,000 ft.) Range 3,700 km (2,300 statute miles) - more with air-to-air refueling Armament a built-in multi-barrel M-61 20mm cannon, radar-guided (AIM-7 “Sparrow�? or infrared-homing (AIM-9 “Sidewinder�? air-to-air missiles, CRV-7 high-velocity rockets, AGM-65 “Maverick�?infrared-homing missile, conventional bombs and precision-guided bombs Crew 1 pilot (CF-18A), 2 pilots (CF-18B) Year(s) procured 1982 to 1988 Quantity in CF 120 (104 operational) Location(s) 3 Wing Bagotville, Que. 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta.

14 CH-139 Jet Ranger were purchased in 1981 and used by 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at Southport airfield, formerly CFB Portage la Prairie, in southern Manitoba. They are still in use today by the Canadian Aviation Training Centre, which is owned and operated by Bombardier and uses the Jet Rangers on loan from the Canadian Forces.

The CH-139 Jet Ranger is a single-engine, five-place light helicopter. It is configured with a two-bladed, semi-rigid main rotor and a two-bladed anti-torque tail-rotor. The Jet Ranger is powered by an Allison Model 250-C20B gas-turbine engine de-rated to deliver 317 shaft horsepower at sea-level. Side-by-side seating is provided for the pilot (right side) and co-pilot or passenger (left side). Flight controls and doors are fitted at both positions. The passenger/cargo compartment is located immediately behind the cockpit, providing side-by-side seating for three passengers or space for cargo and has doors on both sides of the fuselage.

.

FACTS AND FIGURES - CH-139 Jet Ranger
Empty Weight	1850 lbs
Maximum Gross Weight	3200 lbs
Fuel tank maximum	63.1 Imperial gallons or 287.7 litres
Height	11 feet, 7 inches
Length	(including main rotor): 39 feet, 1 inch
Speed	130 knots
Width	(fuselage and skid gear): 6 feet, 3.5 inches
Diameter of main rotor	33 feet, 4 inches
Maximum operating altitude limit	20,000 feet

The service chameleon is the Polaris (A310-300 Airbus), a twin-engine, high-speed commercial jet easily converted to passenger, freight or medical transport. By 2004/05, an air-to-air refueling capability will be added to the fleet.

Two Polaris are being converted as strategic air-to-air refuellers to support the CF-18 Hornet fighter-bomber fleet.
Stationed at 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., 437 Squadron (The Huskies) is the only transport squadron equipped with the Polaris, which replaced the aging Boeing 707 in 1997.

The five-plane fleet's primary role is long-range transport of personnel and equipment, up to 194 passengers or 32,000 kg of cargo. They've participated in operations supporting Canadian Forces, NATO and numerous United Nations and Red Cross initiatives. During December 1995's Operation Alliance, about 1,161,000 kg of freight and 800 personnel were airlifted to Zaire using Polaris, Boeing 707 and Hercules transports. During August 2003 OP PEREGRINE, about 1500 troops were airlifted to battle forest fires in the Kelowna B.C. area using the Polaris.

The squadron has an excellent reputation transporting high ranking government officials and foreign dignitaries, including members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, the Governor General around the world.

The Huskies are proud of their motto, "Omnia Passim," (Anytime, Anywhere).

FACTS AND FIGURES - CC-150 POLARIS Length 46.66 m Wingspan 43.9 m Height 15.8 m Weight 157 000 Kg (incl. full load and fuel) Power Two GE CF6-80C2A2 jet engines Speed Mach .84 (max) Ceiling 12,500 m Range 11,500 km Load Up to 32,000 kg Year(s) procured 1992 to 1993 Quantity in CF 5 Location(s) 8 Wing Trenton, Ont.

Space aboard naval vessels is always at a premium, and the Sea King, with its fold-up rotor and tail, fits perfectly on the smallest deck.

It's a ship-based helicopter with both day and night flight capabilities, and is carried aboard many Canadian Maritime Command destroyers, frigates and replenishment ships.

The Sea King carries detection, navigation and weapons systems as part of its primary mandate of searching for, locating and destroying submarines. With its subsurface acoustic detection equipment and homing torpedoes, it's also a versatile surveillance helicopter.

Domestically Sea Kings have increasingly become responsible for search and rescue operations, disaster relief, and assisting other government departments in carrying out counter-narcotic operations, fisheries and pollution patrols.

The Sea King has also been instrumental in peacekeeping operations. For example, during the deployment of forces to Somalia, the CH-124 provided troops with logistics, medical and ammunitions support along with flying overland reconnaissance and convoys. It was, in effect, the only link soldiers had with the ships especially during the initial stages of the deployment.

The Sea King fleet has been heavily committed to the campaign against terrorism, deploying aboard Canadian Navy ships to the Persian Gulf since the fall of 2001. Sea Kings have conducted hundreds of missions ranging from logistics flights to move personnel and cargo around the Coalition task groups to hailing and boarding of suspicious vessels.

FACTS AND FIGURES - CH-124 SEA KING Length 22.12 m Wingspan 60 ft Height 5.13m Weight 8,680 kg Power Two 1,500 Shaft Horsepower General Electric T-58-100 turboshafts Speed 280 km/h Ceiling 3,077 m Range 648 km Load 2,250 kg Equipment Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR), Passive/Active Sonar Armament Mk 46 Mod V homing torpedoes, self-defence machine gun Crew 2 pilots, 1 navigator, 1 airborne electronic sensor operator Year(s) procured 1963 to 1969 Quantity in CF 28 Location(s) 12 Wing Shearwater, N.S Victoria, B.C. International Airport. Although one of the oldest Aircraft in Canada's airforce, the Sea King is also one of its busiest. It has seen service in a variety of international and domestic roles in recent years including the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Yugoslavia, East Timor, Manitoba Floods, Swiss Air disaster and boarding of GTS Katie.

When the Snowbirds, Canada's world famous aerial acrobatic team, perform high above the clouds, their Canadair CT-114 Tutors are put through their paces.

The Tutor, a Canadian-designed and -produced single-engine subsonic jet trainer that entered service in the mid-1960s, was used for basic and advanced pilot training until it was replaced by the CT-156 Harvard II and CT-155 Hawk in 2000.

Since it was retired from the training role in 2000, the two operators of the Tutor have been 431 Air Demonstration Squadron - The Snowbirds and the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment. Both units will continue to fly the nimble Tutors for the foreseeable future.

FACTS AND FIGURES - CT-114 TUTOR Length 9.75 m Wingspan 11.13 m Height 2.84 m Weight 3,370 kg Power General Electric J85-CAN-40 turbo jet Speed 763 km/h Ceiling 11,850 m Range 648 km Crew 2 Year(s) procured 1962 Quantity in CF 22 Location(s) 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Sask.

In the Canadian north, where the weather can change at a moment's notice, the Twin Otter provides short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities on floats, skis or wheels.

It's a highly maneuverable, light, versatile transport Aircraft used primarily in northern Canada in support of Rangers and Cadets, and to transport units from southern areas of Canada to the north for exercises.

Twin Otters also help support Canadian Forces Station Alert, the northernmost permanent habitation in the world, by ferrying supplies and providing medevac service when needed.

As well, the Twin Otter flies Search and Rescue (SAR) missions throughout the north, and generally supports Canadian Forces there. Its ability to transport up to 20 passengers or 2,999 kg of payload and its range of 1,296 km earmark it for use in a part of the country where every distance is measured in hundreds of kilometers.

FACTS AND FIGURES - CC-138 TWIN OTTER Length 15.1 m Wingspan 19.81 m Height 5.66 m Weight 5,600 kg Power Two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 turbo-prop engines Speed 337 km/h Ceiling 8,230 m Range 1,427 km Load 20 Year(s) procured 1970 Quantity in CF 4 Location(s) Yellowknife, N.W.T.