CF105Arrow From Canada, joined Oct 2007, 317 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 3 months 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1422 times:
Ottawa seeking helicopters, drones to extend Afghan mission
The federal government is currently in negotiations to acquire large helicopters and unmanned surveillance drones in an attempt to satisfy two conditions set out in the Manley report for extending the Afghanistan mission, CBC News has learned.
The government is trying to secure a deal with at least two American helicopter manufacturers to either lease or buy helicopters that would provide transport for Canadian troops in Kandahar, CBC News has learned.
Earlier this week, the government released a tender for the surveillance drones.
The Manley report recommended that the government extend its mission in Afghanistan past the February 2009 deadline, but only if NATO was able to provide an additional 1,000 troops to bolster Canadian forces fighting in the south.
The Manley panel also demanded the government find access to unmanned surveillance drones and large helicopters to ferry Canadian troops around the region.
CBC News has learned the government intends to meet both of these requirements on its own, which would take pressure off its NATO allies, allowing them to focus on finding the additional troops the Manley panel recommended.
The drones and helicopters were each discussed on this forum before but in light of the Manley report the issue seems to have a new sense of urgency. I wonder who the suppliers will be?
Spacepope From Vatican City, joined Dec 1999, 2739 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 years 3 months 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1417 times:
If I had to guess, they would be utility helicopters similar to types already in use, to cut down deployment delays due to training. No attack helis, probably some Bell 412s, perhaps introduction of a new Sikorsky type (S-70 series).
UH60FtRucker From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (5 years 3 months 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1411 times:
The current need is not attack helos but utility birds. Especially MEDEVAC.
Aircraft that can perform general support, and CASEVAC/MEDEVAC missions are at the top of the list. So when guessing who will it be, look at those who can quickly fill these mission profiles.
Connies4ever From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 3857 posts, RR: 13 Reply 3, posted (5 years 3 months 5 days ago) and read 1333 times:
Quoting UH60FtRucker (Reply 2): The current need is not attack helos but utility birds. Especially MEDEVAC.
Aircraft that can perform general support, and CASEVAC/MEDEVAC missions are at the top of the list. So when guessing who will it be, look at those who can quickly fill these mission profiles.
-UH60
Can't agree more UH60. The CH-47Ds (? right version) are already contracted for, I believe 16 in all. So more helos would have to be smaller more agile a/c such as, well, UH60s (!) of some series or maybe the S-92 or something from Eurocopter. But it would have to be something available _now_ in order to help out our forces in Afghanistan. Don't think the CH-47s start arriving until 2010.
SASD209 From British Indian Ocean Territory, joined Oct 2007, 633 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 3 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 1302 times:
I think the H-60 line is pretty much set up for work for the distant future and probably not available for 'quick' production orders:
As far as a S-92 option......I believe Sikorsky is already behind schedule for the Canadian Navy order? As much as I'd like them to get the business, they're pretty much at capacity right now.
Connies4ever From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 3857 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (5 years 3 months 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1279 times:
Quoting SASD209 (Reply 4): I think the H-60 line is pretty much set up for work for the distant future and probably not available for 'quick' production orders:
As far as a S-92 option......I believe Sikorsky is already behind schedule for the Canadian Navy order? As much as I'd like them to get the business, they're pretty much at capacity right now.
I suppose we could get some surplus Russian gear ....
WrenchBender From Canada, joined Feb 2004, 1779 posts, RR: 9 Reply 6, posted (5 years 3 months 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1246 times:
Quoting Connies4ever (Reply 3): The CH-47Ds (? right version) are already contracted for, I believe 16 in all
No contract signed yet. (stil in statement of requirements stage)
There are enough rumours circulating and the media doesn't help by only giving out partial information. New/more UAV's are currently being tendered. The helo question still has to be answered, options are to deploy CH146's, wait for heavy/med lift contract to happen, lease helos (with or without crews) from somewhwere.
Now remember we don't have that menay people, the Tac Hel units are the ones supplying techs to the UAV unit currently deployed to OAKN. If/when heavy/med lift happens we still won't get any more people to operate and maintain them which means downsizing the CH146 fleet to get the aircrews and maint personnel. Add changes/upsizing of the UAV fleet and we are in a severe number crunch for bodies. Our political masters have set a cap on the CF at 60K people, of which 12.5 k are Airforce. Before we buy anymore aircraft and/or take on any more capabilities we need to figure out if we have the bodies to do the job and if not what roles do we give up.
Impossible. They want these aircraft sometime in the next 20 years!
I'm still voting for the Bell 412/CH-146 Griffon. They'd be available almost immediately, with civilian examples ready for lease if needed, and they're already in Canadian service.
Sponsor Message: 
From Canada, joined Oct 2007, 317 posts, 
From Vatican City, joined Dec 1999, 2739 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From British Indian Ocean Territory, joined Oct 2007, 633 posts, 
From Germany, joined Dec 2004, 6802 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
