All Royal Canadian Air Force articles
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NewsCanada announces $13.5bn helicopter modernisation plan
Under a new strategy to boost defence spending and modernise the Canadian military, Ottawa will spend some $13.5 billion over 20 years to acquire a new helicopter fleet.
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NewsCanada set to launch search for new trainer to support future F-35A fleet
The Royal Canadian Air Force will start engaging with industry from next month as it starts work towards defining its requirements for a future fighter lead-in trainer to enter service early next decade.
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NewsCanada highlights arctic aviation capability with far-northern drills
During a series of exercises known as Operation Nanook-Nunalivut, the Royal Canadian Air Force highlighted its ability to deliver ground forces and equipment on missions in high latitudes.
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NewsCanada prepares $630m airfield upgrades as part of tanker acquisition
Improvements to runways and hangar facilities will support Ottawa’s planned fleet of nine Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport jets.
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NewsCanada retires Hawk jet trainers without replacements identified
The Royal Canadian Air Force says its fighter training squadron has entered a “period of hiatus” after the service retired its fleet of BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk trainer jets.
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NewsCanada takes delivery of new King Air 350ER-based surveillance aircraft
Under the Manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance project, L3Harris will modify three Beechcraft King Air 350ER turboprops with mission packages for service with the Royal Canadian Air Force under the designation CE-145C Vigilance.
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NewsCanada to sunset leased King Air fleet in favour of air force modernisations
The Royal Canadian Air Force is declining to renew leases on two Beechcraft King Air transports, with Ottawa saying the savings will be used to support a sweeping modernisation plan for the service.
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NewsBell secures $1.6bn contract for Canadian CH-146 sustainment
The $1.68 billion deal between Ottawa and Bell Textron Canada will provide maintenance and overhaul support to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of 82 CH-146 Griffon utility helicopters.
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NewsCanada to obtain 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAs
Ottawa’s decision to obtain 11 MQ-9Bs is one part of a major overhaul for Canadian airpower.
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NewsCanada announces deployment of military helicopters to Baltic region
During a visit to fellow NATO member Latvia, Canada’s top defence leaders announced Ottawa will deploy Bell CH-146 Griffon and Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters to the Baltic region starting in 2024 as part of a multi-national battle group – Canada’s first “persistent” deployment of tactical rotary aviation to Europe in roughly 20 years.
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NewsTop Aces adds A-4 Skyhawk to Canadian adversary training fleet
The private provider of adversary air support has been providing aggressor training to the Royal Canadian Air Force using a fleet of modified Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets and Bombardier Learjet 35s.
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NewsCanada signs to acquire 14 Boeing P-8As for multi-mission aircraft replacement programme
The Canadian government has agreed to purchase at least 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2026.
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NewsCanadian helicopter repeatedly intercepted by Chinese J-11 fighters
Ottawa says the crew of a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone underway with a Royal Canadian Navy ship in the South China Sea was repeatedly intercepted by Chinese J-11 fighter jets acting in an “unsafe” manner.
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NewsCanadian investigators release initial report on fatal Chinook crash
The crash of the Royal Canadian Air Force heavy-lift helicopter in June killed two pilots after the Boeing CH-47F impacted the Ottawa River during a training flight in Ontario.
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NewsLeonardo Helicopters eyes addtional orders for Wildcat and AW101
Leonardo Helicopters is hopeful that a resurgence of interest in the AW159 Wildcat following the restart of production last year could see the military rotorcraft’s backlog extend into double digits over the next 12 months.
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NewsAirbus wins $2.7bn contract for new Canadian tanker fleet, first deliveries set for autumn
Ottawa selected Airbus’s A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport to be the Royal Canadian Air Force’s new in-flight refueller, replacing the current Airbus CC-150 Polaris multi-purpose transport.
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NewsFamilies of Canadian service members sue Sikorsky over fatal Cyclone crash
Relatives of six Canadian air force and naval personnel killed in 2020 when a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crashed off the coast of Greece are suing the helicopter maker in a US court, alleging the aircraft’s fly-by-wire flight control system made improper adjustments that caused the incident.
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NewsCompetition heats up for Canada’s new maritime patrol aircraft
While Boeing’s P-8 Poseidon had been Ottawa’s only option to replace the RCAF’s current anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the recent entry of Bombardier into the fray has both firms jockeying for position.
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NewsBombardier and General Dynamics team up on Canada’s CP-140 replacement
Canada’s largest jet manufacturer is pairing with defence contractor General Dynamics to challenge Boeing for a deal to produce the replacement for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft.
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NewsCanada announces new air defence initiatives, eyes Eastern Europe
Ottawa has officially requested industry proposals for a range of air defence platforms, including anti-aircraft and counter-unmanned aerial systems, to support Canadian missions on NATO’s eastern flank.