Skies Mag has a decent article on the Super Hornet for the Canadian competition.
Low Risk Capability
https://assets.skiesmag.com/digital/202 ... ml?page=58
The article is clearly aimed at the F-35 given the comparisons between the two jets throughout and is trying to pitch the SH as the low risk option for Canada.
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- ThePointblank
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Re: Canada - Future Fighter Capability Project
The RCAF posted a number of pictures on Twitter, and an ex-RAAF Hornet is featured flying alongside a CC-150 Polaris tanker heading to CFB Cold Lake, coming from from Mirabel, Quebec:
https://twitter.com/RCAF_ARC/status/1271472388044185601
No squadron markings, and as this aircraft was coming from Mirabel, I will have to assume this bird just left refurbishment while at L-3 MAS's facilities in Mirabel.
https://twitter.com/RCAF_ARC/status/1271472388044185601
No squadron markings, and as this aircraft was coming from Mirabel, I will have to assume this bird just left refurbishment while at L-3 MAS's facilities in Mirabel.
Re: Canada - Future Fighter Capability Project
This is an utterly strange and probably poorly written article. It references Canadian Super Hornets being upgraded despite Canada only operating classic Hornets.
Canadian CF-18 upgrade package OK’d by US
https://www.defensenews.com/global/the- ... okd-by-us/
Obviously Canada are keen to maintain capability between now and the new fighter arriving and upgrading the classic Hornets with an AESA makes sense. Looks like they are piggybacking on the USMC work done to develop and deploy the APG-79 (v4) for their classic Hornet fleet. Having a sub fleet may present some sustainment challenges though unless the plan is to see how these first aircraft go and then progress additional aircraft past that. It could also be a risk mitigation against the Trudeau Government cancelling the new fighter competition...
Canadian CF-18 upgrade package OK’d by US
The U.S. State Department has cleared Canada to purchase a package of upgrades for its fleet of CF-18 Super Hornets, including upgraded radars and weapons, intended to serve as a bridge between the legacy fleet and Canada’s future fighter.
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Among the upgrades included in this potential package: 50 Sidewinder AIM-9X Block II tactical missiles; 38 APG-79(V)4 active electronically scanned array radars; 38 APG-79(V)4 AESA radar A1 kits; 46 F/A-18A wide-band RADOMEs; upgrades to the Advanced Distributed Combat Training System; and technical assistance to support the upgraded jets.
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https://www.defensenews.com/global/the- ... okd-by-us/
Obviously Canada are keen to maintain capability between now and the new fighter arriving and upgrading the classic Hornets with an AESA makes sense. Looks like they are piggybacking on the USMC work done to develop and deploy the APG-79 (v4) for their classic Hornet fleet. Having a sub fleet may present some sustainment challenges though unless the plan is to see how these first aircraft go and then progress additional aircraft past that. It could also be a risk mitigation against the Trudeau Government cancelling the new fighter competition...
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- LightningZ71
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Re: Canada - Future Fighter Capability Project
The update also addresses the fact that they had the helmet mounted queuing system for hihg off bore targeting for the AIM-9X sidewinders, but had none of them actually in inventory.
thedrive.com has a decent article on this whole transaction, though the raw details aren't any different from the defensenews article.
Canada had also gained the right to purchase the new AIM-120D AMRAM missiles a few years ago, but couldn't fully take advantage of the additional range of those missiles because the older radar on their CF-18 fighters didn't have sufficient engagement range for them. This addresses that deficiency. Maybe they will now actually make that AIM-120D purchase?
thedrive.com has a decent article on this whole transaction, though the raw details aren't any different from the defensenews article.
Canada had also gained the right to purchase the new AIM-120D AMRAM missiles a few years ago, but couldn't fully take advantage of the additional range of those missiles because the older radar on their CF-18 fighters didn't have sufficient engagement range for them. This addresses that deficiency. Maybe they will now actually make that AIM-120D purchase?
Re: Canada - Future Fighter Capability Project
LightningZ71 wrote:The update also addresses the fact that they had the helmet mounted queuing system for hihg off bore targeting for the AIM-9X sidewinders, but had none of them actually in inventory.
thedrive.com has a decent article on this whole transaction, though the raw details aren't any different from the defensenews article.
Interesting, I didn’t even realise Canadian CF-18s were still running AIM-9Ms… 50 X Blk IIs seems a small number given that wouldn’t even equip all upgraded aircraft with wingtip missiles but perhaps the first step in a larger acquisition.
LightningZ71 wrote:Canada had also gained the right to purchase the new AIM-120D AMRAM missiles a few years ago, but couldn't fully take advantage of the additional range of those missiles because the older radar on their CF-18 fighters didn't have sufficient engagement range for them. This addresses that deficiency. Maybe they will now actually make that AIM-120D purchase?
Now that the only jets left in the competition already have AIM-120 integrated it would seem a wise decision as the missiles could be reused on those platforms no matter which is selected.
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- ThePointblank
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Re: Canada - Future Fighter Capability Project
RFP's being published for base infrastructure at CFB Cold Lake and Bagotville to support the upcoming replacement fighters:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-nat ... onnel.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-nat ... onnel.html
The Defence Team has been hard at work over the last several months. We’ve opened bidding on design and construction contracts for new fighter aircraft facilities at 3 Wing Bagotville and 4 Wing Cold Lake, our two main operating bases for Canada’s fighter aircraft. This infrastructure will support the long-term operation and maintenance of 88 new aircraft that will be procured for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) through the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP).
These infrastructure investments will have a significant economic impact in Alberta and Quebec – combined, we expect these construction contracts to total over $500 million, and create more than 900 jobs over the next several years. We’re planning to award the design-build contract for the Cold Lake fighter aircraft facility in August 2020, with Bagotville following in September 2020.
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