List of active Canadian military aircraft

Last updated

This list identifies the military aircraft which are currently being operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force. List of aircraft of Canada's air forces includes all aircraft operated by the RCAF and its predecessors, current and past while List of aircraft of the Royal Canadian Navy covers all RCN aircraft.

Contents

Current aircraft

Source: FlightGlobal. [1]

TypeOriginClassRoleIntroducedIn serviceTotalNotes
AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant Italy/UKHelicopterSearch and Rescue (SAR)20001315An order for 35 AgustaWestland AW101 to serve in the anti-submarine role and replace the Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King and 15 AgustaWestland AW101 to serve in the search and rescue role and replace the Boeing Vertol CH-113 Labrador was cancelled in 1993. Nine VH-71 Kestrels were bought from the US in 2011 to be used for spare parts. [2] Three additional aircraft to be acquired, existing aircraft to undergo a mid-life upgrade [3] Two helicopters have crashed and were written off. [4] [5]
Airbus CC-150 & CC-150T Polaris FranceJetTransport/tanker1992558 Wing Trenton - 2 transport; 2 tanker; 1 VIP. To be replaced by Airbus A330 MRTT [6]
Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher SpainPropellerSearch and rescue aircraft2019016Greenwood, Nova Scotia; Trenton, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba and Comox, British Columbia (418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron). The aircraft will be primarily operated at CFB Comox, where Airbus is building an RCAF Search & Rescue Training Facility for the CC-295. As of 2022, all 16 aircraft were expected to be delivered by the end of the year. [7] However, initial operating capability is delayed until 2025/26. [8]
Airbus CC-330 Husky FranceJetTransport/tanker202309Replacing the Airbus CC-150 Polaris. The first CC-330 will enter service in fall 2023 for VIP transport.
BAE CT-155 Hawk UKJetTrainer2000162222 delivered to 419 sqn and 2 CFFTS [9]
Bell CH-139 Jet Ranger USHelicopterTrainer198213 [10] 13On contract from KF Defence Programs as trainers.
Bell CH-146 Griffon CanadaHelicopterTransport/SAR199585 [11] 10015 SAR and 85 tactical helicopters. Eight armed in 2009 to escort CH-147 Chinooks in Afghanistan. 9 B412CF Outlaw on contract from KF Defence Programs as trainers
Boeing CC-177 Globemaster USJetTransport200755At 8 Wing Trenton [12] [13] Replaced contracted aircraft or assistance from allies.
Boeing CH-147F Chinook USHelicopterTransport20131415Previous D-model variants no longer in service. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] One Chinook lost in crash on training mission in 2023. [20]
Bombardier CC-144 Challenger CanadaJetTransport1982/2002/202044 412(T) Sqn under 8 Wing Trenton, stationed at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport. VIP and medevac transport.
Canadair CT-114 Tutor CanadaJetAir demonstration, pilot proficiency flying196226 [21] 2624 used by "The Snowbirds"

Five used by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE), CFB Cold Lake for test support and pilot proficiency. [22] [23]

de Havilland Canada CC-138 Twin Otter CanadaPropellerTransport/SAR1970s4unknown 440 Sqn Yellowknife attached to 17 Wing, Winnipeg.
de Havilland Canada CT-142 CanadaPropellerTrainer19874unknown 402 Sqn 17 Wing, Winnipeg
Lockheed CC-130 Hercules USPropellerTanker/SAR1964 [24] 12unknown 8 Wing Trenton, 14 Wing Greenwood and 17 Wing Winnipeg. [25] 4 equipped for aerial refueling (CC-130HT, modified CC-130H); 8 SAR aircraft to be replaced by new FWSAR aircraft (EADS CASA C-295) from 2018-2022 [26]
Lockheed CP-140M Aurora USPropellerMaritime patrol/ASW/SAR19801418 [27] 14 were modernized and retained in operational status at 14 Wing Greenwood and 19 Wing Comox. As a cost saving measure, four aircraft were retired.
Lockheed CP-140A Arcturus USPropellerTrainer/Maritime reconnaissance/SAR199103All three aircraft were located at 404 Sqn 14 Wing Greenwood. [28] All three aircraft have been retired. One is located at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum and two are located at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Tucson, Arizona.
Lockheed Martin
CC-130J Super Hercules 		USPropellerTransport20101717Replaced Lockheed CC-130 transport variants.
McDonnell Douglas CF-188A & B USJetFighter/attack198276 [29] 13898 A and 40 B models originally acquired. 20 lost to accidents, 41 retired. 3 Wing Bagotville and 4 Wing Cold Lake. [notes 1] [30] 18 ex-Royal Australian Air Force F-18s being delivered as an interim measure, increasing the fighter fleet to 94 CF-18/F-18A aircraft. [31]
Beechcraft CT-156 Harvard II USPropellerTrainer2000242624 leased in 2000, 2 added in 2002. [32] Two lost in crashes. [33] [34]
Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone USHelicopterASW201524 [35] 28Replaced CH-124 [36] 24 helicopters in service as of March 2022. [35] [37] One airframe (Stalker-22) lost to crash on operations. [38]
IAI CU-170 Heron CanadaUAVSurveillance and target acquisition201123
UMS CU-176 Gargoyle CanadaUAVSurveillance and target acquisition2020unknownunknown

See also

Related Research Articles

The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1914, with the formation of the Canadian Aviation Corps (CAC) that was attached to the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. It consisted of one aircraft that was never called into service. In 1918, a wing of two Canadian squadrons called the Canadian Air Force (CAF) was formed in England and attached to the Royal Air Force, but it also would never see wartime service. Postwar, an air militia also known as the Canadian Air Force was formed in Canada in 1920. In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) when it was granted the royal title by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet</span> Series of multirole combat aircraft

The McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet is a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) variant of the American McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft. In 1980, the F/A-18 was selected as the winner of the New Fighter Aircraft Project competition and awarded a production order; deliveries of the CF-18 to the Canadian Armed Forces began in 1982. CF-18s have supported North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) air sovereignty patrols and participated in combat during the Gulf War in 1991, the Kosovo War in the late 1990s, and as part of the Canadian contribution to the international Libyan no-fly zone in 2011. CF-18s were also part of the Canadian contribution to the military intervention against ISIL, Operation Impact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bell CH-146 Griffon</span> Military utility helicopter

The Bell CH-146 Griffon is a multi-role utility helicopter designed by Bell Helicopter Textron as a variant of the Bell 412EP for the Canadian Armed Forces. The CH-146 is used in a wide variety of roles, including aerial firepower, reconnaissance, search and rescue and aero-mobility tasks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airbus CC-150 Polaris</span> Canadian military transport aircraft

The Airbus CC-150 Polaris is the designation for the civilian Airbus A310-300s which have been converted into multi-purpose, long-range jet aircraft for passenger, freight or medical transport and mid-air refueling for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Canadian Air Force</span> Air warfare and space branch of the Canadian Armed Forces

The Royal Canadian Air Force is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2020, the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of 12,074 Regular Force and 1,969 Primary Reserve personnel, supported by 1,518 civilians, and operates 258 manned aircraft and nine unmanned aerial vehicles. Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny is the current Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Chief of the Air Force Staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone</span> Canadian multi-role naval helicopter

The Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone is a twin-engine, multi-role shipborne helicopter developed by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for the Canadian Armed Forces. A military variant of the Sikorsky S-92, the CH-148 is designed for shipboard operations and replaced the CH-124 Sea King, which was in Canadian Armed Forces operation from 1963 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFB Greenwood</span> Air force base in Canada

Canadian Forces Base Greenwood, or CFB Greenwood, is a Canadian Forces Base located 1.5 nautical miles east of Greenwood, Nova Scotia. It is primarily operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is one of two bases in the country using the CP-140 Aurora and CP-140A Arcturus anti-submarine/maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft. Its primary RCAF lodger unit is 14 Wing, commonly referred to as 14 Wing Greenwood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFB Trenton</span> Canadian Forces base

Canadian Forces Base Trenton, formerly RCAF Station Trenton, is a Canadian Forces base located within the city of Quinte West, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad. Its primary RCAF lodger unit is 8 Wing, commonly referred to as 8 Wing Trenton. CFB Trenton is Canada's largest Air Force base and most southerly air base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFB Bagotville</span> Royal Canadian Air Force base in central Quebec

Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, commonly referred to as CFB Bagotville, and also known as Bagotville Airport or Saguenay-Bagotville Airport, is a Canadian Forces base 4.5 nautical miles west of Bagotville in the city of Saguenay. Located in the centre of Quebec, less than 200 km (120 mi) north of Quebec City, CFB Bagotville is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and is one of two bases in the country using the CF-18 Hornet fighter/interceptor, the other being CFB Cold Lake. Its primary RCAF lodger units are 2 Wing and 3 Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFB Moose Jaw</span> Canadian Forces base in the south of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada

Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw, also known as 15 Wing Moose Jaw, is a Canadian Forces base located 4 nautical miles south of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and is home to RCAF Pilot training and 431 Squadron, the Snowbirds, which is the RCAF's air demonstration squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron</span> Canadian military flying unit

408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron is a unit of 1 Wing, Kingston. It is co-located with 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton.

Boeing Canada is the Canadian subsidiary of Boeing, with operations in Winnipeg, MB, Richmond, BC, Montreal, QC and Ottawa, ON. Boeing employs more than 1,600 people in Canada. Boeing Aircraft of Canada Limited was formed in 1929 by the American Boeing Airplane Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Canadian Air Division</span> Military unit

1 Canadian Air Division is the operational-level command and control formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Prior to 2006 the official abbreviation for the division was 1 CAD. It is commanded by an air force major-general.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue</span>

Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue is the collective name used to refer to search and rescue (SAR) resources and operations within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) are jointly responsible for Canada’s SAR operations.

List of future or planned Canadian Armed Forces projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron</span> Canadian air force squadron

423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces under Royal Canadian Air Force. It currently operates the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone from CFB Shearwater in Nova Scotia, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas J. Lawson</span> Royal Canadian Air Force general

General Thomas James Lawson is a retired Royal Canadian Air Force general. Lawson was Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces from October 2012 to July 2015. He previously served as Deputy Commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command.

No. 448 Squadron RCAF was a test and evaluation squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

This is the structure of the Royal Canadian Air Force, as of November 2020.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Unofficially "CF-18".

Citations

  1. ↑ World Air Forces 2016. Flightglobal International. 2015. p. 13.
  2. ↑ Pugliese, David (16 June 2011). "Obama's choppers purchased for parts for Cormorants". Victoria Times Colonist. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Government of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada (January 14, 2020). "Cormorant mid-life upgrade - Air - Defence Procurement - Buying and Selling - PSPC Services - Home". www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.
  4. ↑ "Seat malfunction led to Canadian helicopter crash - AeroTime". 7 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Human errors caused helicopter crash, probe finds". The Globe and Mail. 12 March 2008.
  6. ↑ Defence, National (July 15, 2022). "Canada moves forward with the acquisition of aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force". www.canada.ca.
  7. ↑ "Initial operational capability of Canada's CC-295 FWSAR aircraft delayed to 2025-26". 4 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Government of Canada provides an update on the operationalization of the CC-295 Kingfisher". 4 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "CT155 Walkaround". Ipmslondon.ca. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  10. ↑ "CH-139 Jet Ranger". Royal Canadian Air Force. Government of Canada. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "CH-146 Griffon". Royal Canadian Air Force. Government of Canada. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  12. ↑ "Canada receives fifth and final C-17 airlifter - IHS Jane's 360". IHS Jane's 360. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  13. ↑ Canada, Service (August 31, 2016). "News". aem.
  14. ↑ Canadian Press (August 2009). "Boeing nets $1.2B contract for 15 Chinook choppers". Archived from the original on August 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  15. ↑ Pugliese, David. "It's Official: First CH-147F Delivered To Canadian Military | Ottawa Citizen". Blogs.ottawacitizen.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  16. ↑ "Boeing Completes Delivery of Canadian CH-147F Chinooks Transport Helicopter". July 2, 2014.
  17. ↑ 28-Oct-2010 16:13 UTC (2010-10-28). "On The Verge: Canada's $4B+ Program for Medium-Heavy Transport Helicopters". Defenseindustrydaily.com. Retrieved 2011-03-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ "L-3 WESCAM to Supply Boeing with MX-15 EO/IR Imaging Sensors for Canadian Forces Helicopter Program A CH-147D (147202) was shot down in August 2010 by small arms fire which started an engine fire". Asdwire.com. 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  19. ↑ "Canadian Forces confirms helicopter was brought down by small arms fire". The Globe and Mail .
  20. ↑ "Members killed in military helicopter crash near Garrison Petawawa, PM says". CBC News . June 20, 2023.
  21. ↑ "CT-114 Tutor". Royal Canadian Air Force. Government of Canada. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE)". Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  23. ↑ "AETE to join testing 'centre of excellence' in Ottawa". Skies Magazine. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  24. ↑ "CC-130 Hercules". Royal Canadian Air Force. Government of Canada. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  25. ↑ "Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules". Ody.ca. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  26. ↑ "Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement Project - Defence Procurement - Buying and Selling - PWGSC". Archived from the original on 2016-09-04. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
  27. ↑ "CP-140 Aurora". Royal Canadian Air Force. Government of Canada. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  28. ↑ "The Final Flight of CP140/A AC120... | Articles | News & Events - News Room | 14 Wing Greenwood | RCAF | DND/CF". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  29. ↑ Government of Canada, National Defence (April 10, 2013). "CF-188 Hornet | Aircraft | Royal Canadian Air Force". www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca.
  30. ↑ "Canadian CF-18 fighter jets to be kept in use until 2025". October 2, 2014.
  31. ↑ "First used Australian fighter jets now flying in RCAF colours with more to come | National Post". July 14, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Canadian Forces CT-156". Ody.ca. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  33. ↑ "2 military pilots eject safely before crash at 15 Wing Moose Jaw". CBC News. Jan 24, 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  34. ↑ "Military pilots forced to eject while practising aerobatics: DND report". The Globe and Mail. Mar 28, 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  35. 1 2 "CH-148 Cyclone procurement project". 13 March 2013.
  36. ↑ "Canada gets six Cyclone helicopters". June 19, 2015.
  37. ↑ Defence, National (March 13, 2013). "CH-148 Cyclone procurement project". www.canada.ca.
  38. ↑ Defence, National (April 30, 2020). "One Canadian military member killed and five missing in helicopter accident". www.canada.ca.

Bibliography

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