This artist’s concept shows the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) in RCAF colours. (IMAGE COURTESY OF AIRBUS)
by David Pugliese
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT expects to award a contract next year to Airbus for four new strategic tanker transport aircraft.
Airbus has been designated as the only supplier qualified to provide the tankers to the Royal Canadian Air Force and as a result a formal request for its proposal for the planes was issued to the firm on May 13, 2022.
National Defence spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande said the proposal from the firm has not yet been received. “Once Airbus’s response is received an assessment and negotiation will occur,” Lamirande said. She noted that a contract is expected to be awarded by April 2023.
The aircraft deemed by the Canadian Forces to be qualified for the job is the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport), a dual-role refueling and transport plane.
The RCAF wants to have the first of the A330 MRTT to be operational by 2028.
The new aircraft will replace the existing CC-150 Polaris aircraft flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Arcfield Canada Corp has been awarded a subcontract by L3Harris Technologies, valued at $7.7 million to provide supply chain management services to the CF-18 fleet at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake and Bagotville. This subcontract represents new work for the company and has a period of performance of four years plus six potential option years, the companies noted.
Arcfield Canada noted that it has over the last 30 years provided comprehensive in-service support, engineering services, and supply chain management for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 fighter aircraft avionics, and was awarded a subcontract in 2017 for similar responsibilities for the F404 propulsion system. With this award, Arcfield Canada now provides direct support to all supply chain services for Canada’s CF-18 fighter fleet.
“Arcfield Canada has a strong legacy in servicing CF-18s for the Department of National Defence and the RCAF”, said Jacques Comtois, director, Arcfield Canada. “We appreciate the opportunity to provide our unique expertise and capabilities with L3Harris to support Canada’s fighter fleet.”
This new subcontract will require an 18,000 sq ft expansion of Arcfield Canada’s warehouse facility located in the Saguenay, Quebec and a further 1,800 sq ft renovation of its Calgary, Alberta facility. Boeing and CAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand their collaboration and explore further teaming opportunities in defence aerospace training. Additionally, the MOU aims to advance mission readiness for defence customers worldwide operating Boeing military aircraft, the firms noted.
The two companies already have a long-standing relationship spanning commercial and defence portfolios. CAE is an integral partner on the CH-47 Chinook program in Germany, has supported Boeing extensively with P-8 training solutions worldwide, and is a charter member of Team Poseidon in Boeing’s Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft offering, the companies noted. The MOU builds on the recent exclusive teaming agreement in Germany for Chinook, and continues joint efforts to deliver enhanced training offerings for Chinook in the United Arab Emirates that support Emiratization efforts, as well as expanding P-8 solutions in Canada, Germany, and Norway, the companies explained in a statement.
Timelines for the modernization of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CT-114 Tutor fleet could be changing slightly because of the need for more testing, National Defence officials have confirmed to Esprit de Corps magazine.
Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded a $26-million contract to L3 Harris on March 11, 2021 for the upgrade that will see the development of a new avionics suite for the planes used by the Snowbirds aerobatics team. The deal was a sole-source contract. Another contract was be put in place to install the avionics equipment, bringing the total project cost to $30 million.
The modernization includes a variety of new equipment, including electronic flight display systems, and navigation and communications gear. The initial operating capability (IOC) of the first four modified aircraft was scheduled for October 2022 with modifications to all remaining aircraft by end-2024.
But Department of National Defence spokesperson Jessica Lamirande said those timelines are currently under review. “IOC of the first four modified aircraft is still currently scheduled for October 2022, but the timelines are under review due to additional time required for prototyping and testing,” she explained. “More information will be available on any revised timelines” later in the fall, Lamirande noted. “Modifications to all remaining aircraft are still expected to be completed by the end of 2024,” she added.
The avionics upgrade is required if the planes are to continue flying in North American airspace.
Arcfield Canada Corp has been awarded a subcontract by L3Harris Technologies to provide supply chain management services to the CF-18 fleet at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake and Bagotville. (RCAF PHOTO)
The CT-114 Tutor aircraft have been used by the Snowbirds since 1971. The Tutors were supposed to have been retired in 2010, but that date was then extended to 2020. The latest extension allows the aircraft to fly until at least 2030.
As reported earlier this year by Esprit de Corps, the Canadian Forces has created a new space command.
On July 22 RCAF commander Lt. Gen. Al Meinzinger (who in August retired) and Brig.-Gen. Mike Adamson, Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division, participated in a ceremony that marked the establishment of the RCAF’s newest Division - 3 Canadian Space Division. The organization is located at National Defence Headquarters Carling in Ottawa.
Military officers say 3 Canadian Space Division is an evolution from the RCAF’s Director General Space organization. As the responsibility for space operations has steadily grown over the last decade, the space-focused team within the RCAF has been re-organized to meet this expanded scope.
