By: David Puligese,
The Royal Canadian Air Force will be operating the first nine aircraft from its new fleet of fighter jets starting in 2026, Department of National Defence officials say.
But at least one member of parliament questions whether the federal government will be able to meet its timetable to replace the CF-18 fighter fleet with advanced aircraft.
MPs on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts received more details on Monday about the Liberal government’s plan to buy 88 new fighter jets. Aircraft expected in the competition include Lockheed Martin’s F-35, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab’s Gripen and the Boeing Super Hornet.
Pat Finn, assistant deputy minister for material at the DND, told MPS that the formal request for proposals will go out in the spring of 2019. Negotiations would be held in 2021 and a contract awarded in 2022.
“We have tried to be very judicious and not have too risky a schedule to try to achieve some of that,” Finn explained to MPs. “But from the bids until the signing of the contract is where we’ve given ourselves two years for the competitive dialogue, the final negotiations and the various approvals we need to get, signing the contract in 2022.”
The first aircraft would be delivered in 2025. Finn said this schedule has been shared with all the potential bidders and “they’re comfortable with that approach.”
Jody Thomas, the DND deputy minister, told MPs that the plan is to “achieve initial operating capability by 2026 with nine advanced fighters ready to fulfill the NORAD mission.”
But one committee member, Conservative MP Pat Kelly, was wary of whether the aircraft acquisition would proceed as scheduled.
The plan, he told Finn, doesn’t leave a lot of margin for error. Everything would have to run like clockwork to meet the timetable and Kelly questioned if that would even be possible given the track record of defence procurement over the years. “We just don’t have time in this for the kinds of delays and the kinds of failures of procurement that we have seen in other programs,” Kelly said. “I shudder to think of what many Canadians listening to this hearing might think about. What has the potential to go wrong to get to 2025? I’m going to leave it at that.”
Showing posts with label Saab Gripen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saab Gripen. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Boeing Applies to be Part of CF-18 Replacement
The Canadian Press
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| A F18 Boeing-made Super Hornet creates a vapour cone as it flies at a transonic speed while doing a flyby of the USS Eisenhower in this 2015 photo. Boeing has applied to be chosen to supply Canada with its new fleet of 88 fighter jets. (Mark Wilson/Pool Photo via The Associated Press) |
Public Services and Procurement Canada says Boeing, which makes the Super Hornet jet, is one of five companies approved as potential bidders in the multibillion-dollar competition to deliver 88 new aircraft.
Boeing had remained on the fence when asked whether it would throw its hat in the ring, saying it was waiting to see how the government would run the competition, which will formally kick off next year.
The comments appeared to be in response to the government's plan to change future competitions for military equipment, including fighter jets, to penalize companies deemed to be hurting Canada's economic interests.
The proposed change is believed to be a direct response to Boeing's complaints against Bombardier over the latter's C Series passenger jet, which were largely thrown out last month by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Still, even though Boeing has been allowed to participate, company spokesman Scott Day says the company is continuing to monitor the process and still hasn't decided whether to submit a formal bid.
"Boeing values Canada as a customer and supplier-partner for both our commercial and defence businesses," said Day. "We continue to believe that the Super Hornet is the low-risk, low-cost approach and has all the advanced capabilities the Royal Canadian Air Force needs now and well into the future."
The firms eligible to take part are:
- Lockheed-Martin, which makes the F-35 stealth fighter
- Boeing, which makes the F-18 Super Hornet
- Airbus, which makes the Eurofighter
- Saab AB, which makes the Gripen
- Dassault Aviation, which makes the Rafale
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Replacing Canada’s CF-18s: A Case for the Swedish SAAB Gripen E/F
By: Léo-Paul Jacob, NATO Association
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| SAAB JAS-39C Gripen, the predecessor of the Gripen E/F (2012), by Oleg V. Belyakov-AirTeamImages (Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0) |
In late 2016, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) announced a plan to replace its ageing fighter jet fleet of CF-18 aircrafts, which is more than thirty years old. The Trudeau government will initiate an open competition to replace the CF-18s, while the RCAF is currently in the process of acquiring 18 new Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets to serve as an interim fleet to bridge the ‘capability gap’. This breaks away from the promise made by the Harper government in 2010 of buying 65 F-35s from Lockheed Martin. Among the fighter aircrafts which are likely to be considered is the Swedish SAAB Gripen E/F, which would be a great fit for the RCAF if used along with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
Canada’s Missions
Before exploring the reasons the Gripen would be an effective replacement for the CF-18s, it is necessary to analyze the crucial missions for which Canada is currently using its CF-18s. First, is Canada’s commitment to NORAD, which is tasked with monitoring and protecting North American airspace. Canada also contributes to NATO operations across the world, and is currently active in Eastern Europe. In 2014, Canada was responsible for monitoring the Baltic countries’ airspace as the head of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission (BAP). In addition, Canada has recently deployed a battalion in Latvia in order to reinforce the country’s defences in the face of Russia’s bellicosity. Finally, Canada has used some of its CF-18s to contribute to the Global Coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria (Operation IMPACT).
In these missions, Canada is faced with both conventional and unconventional threats in varying weather conditions. Therefore, the RCAF must be ready to face conventional armies and fighter fleets, to effectively operate against insurgents or terrorists, and to render anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategies ineffective. In order to accomplish all these tasks, the RCAF must acquire a mixed fighter fleet made up of F-35s and Gripens.
Mixing the Fighter Fleet
Forming a mixed fighter fleet combining F-35s and E/F Gripens is the best option for Canada if it wants to face the challenges of today and tomorrow. The F-35 is currently the finest jet fighter on the market when it comes to stealth missions. If employed by the RCAF, it would be capable of countering A2/AD bubbles, and to penetrate enemy defenses with greater ease than the Gripen. Furthermore, if facing an enemy fleet unable to spot the F-35, the latter would ensure Canada’s domination of the sky.
In turn, the Gripen is more versatile than the F-35, and has great weapon flexibility. It may even be equipped with the MBDA Meteor BVRAAM missile, which can shoot down airborne threats from more than 100km away. The Gripen may be used in various operations, whether in air-to-air or air-to-ground combat, in the Arctic or in the Middle East. Its small size, its speed, and its 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannon coupled with the Gripen’s Electronic Warfare System and Infrared Search and Track abilities, make it particularly lethal when it comes to dogfights and air-to-air fighting. In addition, the Gripen is highly interoperable and fit for reconnaissance missions thanks to its data link system. Choosing the Gripen to replace the ageing CF-18s would bolster the NORAD and Canadian NATO deployments.
Seeing the challenges Canada is soon likely to face, it seems necessary for the RCAF to develop a mixed fighter fleet. Only relying on F-35s, or on Gripens will not suffice to counter tomorrow’s challenges.
Why the Gripen?
The ultimate question is whether Canada will choose the Gripen over other fighters such as the Super Hornet to complement its mixed fighter fleet. In comparison to other jet fighters, the Gripen has important advantages. It is relatively cheap compared to the French Rafale or the F-35, and its operational costs are lower than that of all other Western fighter jets. The Gripen may be deployed to areas where military facilities are underdeveloped, since it can take off from small runways due to its high flexibility, and can operate in all types of weather. This makes the Gripen a perfect fit for Canadian military missions, especially in the Arctic and for deployments abroad as part of NATO. In addition, it is possible to refuel the jet in the air through a “probe and drogue” system, as currently used for the CF-18s. This ensures greater autonomy when conducting operations. The Gripen’s high weapon flexibility also means it can adapt its payload depending on the mission, and can thus excel in surveillance missions, or air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
In 2013, Brazil ordered 36 Gripens E/F from SAAB, which will be built jointly in Sweden and Brazil. The industrial cooperation and transfer of technologies from SAAB Industries to Brazil, along with the creation of a Gripen E/F maintenance centre in Brazil, is a long-term source of jobs for Brazil’s industries. Canada could benefit greatly from such a deal, as it would boost its aerospace industry while at the same time ensure total operational independence once the Gripens are combat-ready.
The Gripen is a perfect candidate for the open-competition initiated by the Trudeau government, and acquiring a joint fleet made up of F-35s and Gripens E/F would ensure Canadian control of the skies for decades to come.----
Léo-Paul Jacob is a Junior Research Fellow at the NATO Association of Canada(NAOC), currently in his third year of B.A(Hons) in Political Science at Concordia University. Prior to working at NAOC, he wrote for the ‘Political Bouillon’, an inter-university journal based in Montréal. His research interests include the Nordic and Baltic regions, along with European and Russian foreign politics. He is most interested by the existing relationships between Sweden, Finland, NATO and Russia. Those interests led him to study Swedish and Russian. After completing his B.A, Léo-Paul plans to pursue his Graduate studies in International Security or International Affairs in Europe. You can contact him via email- jacob.leopaul@gmail.com
Canada’s Missions
Before exploring the reasons the Gripen would be an effective replacement for the CF-18s, it is necessary to analyze the crucial missions for which Canada is currently using its CF-18s. First, is Canada’s commitment to NORAD, which is tasked with monitoring and protecting North American airspace. Canada also contributes to NATO operations across the world, and is currently active in Eastern Europe. In 2014, Canada was responsible for monitoring the Baltic countries’ airspace as the head of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission (BAP). In addition, Canada has recently deployed a battalion in Latvia in order to reinforce the country’s defences in the face of Russia’s bellicosity. Finally, Canada has used some of its CF-18s to contribute to the Global Coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria (Operation IMPACT).
In these missions, Canada is faced with both conventional and unconventional threats in varying weather conditions. Therefore, the RCAF must be ready to face conventional armies and fighter fleets, to effectively operate against insurgents or terrorists, and to render anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategies ineffective. In order to accomplish all these tasks, the RCAF must acquire a mixed fighter fleet made up of F-35s and Gripens.
Mixing the Fighter Fleet
Forming a mixed fighter fleet combining F-35s and E/F Gripens is the best option for Canada if it wants to face the challenges of today and tomorrow. The F-35 is currently the finest jet fighter on the market when it comes to stealth missions. If employed by the RCAF, it would be capable of countering A2/AD bubbles, and to penetrate enemy defenses with greater ease than the Gripen. Furthermore, if facing an enemy fleet unable to spot the F-35, the latter would ensure Canada’s domination of the sky.
In turn, the Gripen is more versatile than the F-35, and has great weapon flexibility. It may even be equipped with the MBDA Meteor BVRAAM missile, which can shoot down airborne threats from more than 100km away. The Gripen may be used in various operations, whether in air-to-air or air-to-ground combat, in the Arctic or in the Middle East. Its small size, its speed, and its 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannon coupled with the Gripen’s Electronic Warfare System and Infrared Search and Track abilities, make it particularly lethal when it comes to dogfights and air-to-air fighting. In addition, the Gripen is highly interoperable and fit for reconnaissance missions thanks to its data link system. Choosing the Gripen to replace the ageing CF-18s would bolster the NORAD and Canadian NATO deployments.
Seeing the challenges Canada is soon likely to face, it seems necessary for the RCAF to develop a mixed fighter fleet. Only relying on F-35s, or on Gripens will not suffice to counter tomorrow’s challenges.
Why the Gripen?
The ultimate question is whether Canada will choose the Gripen over other fighters such as the Super Hornet to complement its mixed fighter fleet. In comparison to other jet fighters, the Gripen has important advantages. It is relatively cheap compared to the French Rafale or the F-35, and its operational costs are lower than that of all other Western fighter jets. The Gripen may be deployed to areas where military facilities are underdeveloped, since it can take off from small runways due to its high flexibility, and can operate in all types of weather. This makes the Gripen a perfect fit for Canadian military missions, especially in the Arctic and for deployments abroad as part of NATO. In addition, it is possible to refuel the jet in the air through a “probe and drogue” system, as currently used for the CF-18s. This ensures greater autonomy when conducting operations. The Gripen’s high weapon flexibility also means it can adapt its payload depending on the mission, and can thus excel in surveillance missions, or air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
In 2013, Brazil ordered 36 Gripens E/F from SAAB, which will be built jointly in Sweden and Brazil. The industrial cooperation and transfer of technologies from SAAB Industries to Brazil, along with the creation of a Gripen E/F maintenance centre in Brazil, is a long-term source of jobs for Brazil’s industries. Canada could benefit greatly from such a deal, as it would boost its aerospace industry while at the same time ensure total operational independence once the Gripens are combat-ready.
The Gripen is a perfect candidate for the open-competition initiated by the Trudeau government, and acquiring a joint fleet made up of F-35s and Gripens E/F would ensure Canadian control of the skies for decades to come.----
Léo-Paul Jacob is a Junior Research Fellow at the NATO Association of Canada(NAOC), currently in his third year of B.A(Hons) in Political Science at Concordia University. Prior to working at NAOC, he wrote for the ‘Political Bouillon’, an inter-university journal based in Montréal. His research interests include the Nordic and Baltic regions, along with European and Russian foreign politics. He is most interested by the existing relationships between Sweden, Finland, NATO and Russia. Those interests led him to study Swedish and Russian. After completing his B.A, Léo-Paul plans to pursue his Graduate studies in International Security or International Affairs in Europe. You can contact him via email- jacob.leopaul@gmail.com
Friday, August 5, 2016
Former Bureaucrat: Canada’s new fighter jet should be chosen by open competition
By: Bruce Champion-Smith, The Toronto Star
OTTAWA—If the federal government is serious about finding a new fighter jet for Canada’s air force, it should launch an open competition immediately rather than continue the “nonsensical” process now underway, a former senior bureaucrat says.
Ottawa had set a Friday deadline for aerospace manufacturers to respond to a questionnaire seeking details about the costs and capabilities of their fighters that might serve as a potential replacement for the aging CF-18s.
But Alan Williams, who once oversaw defence procurement, dismissed that as a waste of time that belies the Liberals’ own claim that the air force needs new fighters fast.
“If you really think that there is some kind of urgency and there is a capability gap, the fastest way to solve it is to run a competition,” said Williams, who previously served as assistant deputy minister in charge of materiel for the defence department.
“If a competition was started tomorrow, within a year you’d have a winner picked,” he said Tuesday in an interview.
One of the possible contenders — the Lockheed Martin F-35A — got a boost Tuesday when the U.S. air force declared the new jet was combat ready. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of air combat command, said the jet had met criteria for initial operational capability. That includes the capability to conduct basic close air support, interdiction and limited suppression and destruction of enemy air defences with a squadron of between 12 and 24 aircraft, the air force said in a news release.
It’s an important milestone for an aircraft that has been dogged by technical challenges during its development.
Lockheed Martin was one of five aerospace manufacturers that responded to Ottawa’s call for more information about their fighter jets. The others were the Boeing Company, Dassault Aviation, Eurofighter and Saab Group.
The federal government says it will use the responses “to make an informed decision on the path forward to a future fighter fleet.”
But Williams is sharply critical of that exercise, saying the government is doing little more than treading water by seeking information that he said is largely already in the public domain.
“It really is totally, totally a waste of time,” he said. “Why they’re going through all this crap is really mind-boggling.”
He said the true capabilities of each aircraft would only be disclosed to government during a formal bidding process, when the manufacturers can be assured such details won’t be made public.
“All the secretive stuff on performance they will only convey in a competition where it’s all protected,” Williams said.
He said the Liberals should fulfil their election pledge for an “open and transparent” competition to replace CF-18s, especially since the government claims that the aging state of the existing fighters will leave the air force with an “unacceptable” gap in meeting operational demands.
“If we really do something, stop screwing around, go out and tell the world what you need, put out your statement of requirements in the public domain . . . and let people bid,” Williams said.
He said both Conservative and Liberals have bobbled the file. He said the Conservatives erred by committing to the F-35 at a time when the jet’s cost and capabilities were unknown. Indeed, that decision was later reversed after the federal auditor raised concerns about the swelling price tag for the sophisticated fighter.
Yet Williams said the Liberals have made missteps as well, notably when Trudeau pledged during the election that his government would never buy the F-35, a commitment that has them “all tied up in knots now,” Williams said.
“This jet may turn out to be the right jet for us. But the process is what’s critical here,” Williams said.
A defence department spokesperson said Tuesday that the responses to the questionnaire would not be released.
“Responses received through the consultation process are subject to commercial confidentiality and form advice to Ministers, and as such will not be publicly disclosed,” Daniel Le Bouthillier told the Star in an email.
5 Aerospace companies battle to replace Canada's CF-18s
By: Bruce Champion-Smith, The Toronto Star
OTTAWA—Five aerospace companies are offering their fighter jets as potential replacement for Canada’s fleet of aging CF-18s, including Lockheed Martin’s F-35, the very jet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged not to buy.
The federal government had set Friday as the deadline for potential suppliers to respond to a detailed questionnaire outlining the costs and capabilities of their jets, as well as benefits that would flow to Canadian companies.
The defence department said Saturday that five companies responded: Boeing Company, Dassault Aviation, Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin and Saab Group.
“Government officials are now reviewing and analyzing information received to date to inform the way forward over the coming months,” a department spokesperson told the Star in an email.
A Boeing executive said his company is offering its F/A-18 Super Hornet as a “great fit” for Canada, saying the purchase and operating costs for its jet rank as among the lowest of its competitors
“With respect to capability, cost . . . we’ve really put a good offer on the table,” Jim Barnes, a Canadian development executive for Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said Friday.
Despite Lockheed Martin’s sales pitch that its F-35 is a more advanced and newer design, Barnes said the Boeing jet easily meets the needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
“I would argue that all capability you need is in the Super Hornet,” he said in an interview.
Lockheed Martin confirmed that its F-35 is also in the mix.
The F-35 has been dogged by controversy but company officials said the program has turned a corner, noting that the U.S. Air Force expects this year to declare the jet as “operational,” an important milestone that means the F-35 is ready to undertake missions.
The questionnaire demanded extensive details from the manufacturers. For example, it asked them to detail the cost of new weapons if the current stockpile of ammunition, missiles and bombs for the CF-18s is incompatible with their aircraft.
It also asked the jet makers to outline potential missions, notably in Canada’s north, flying from places such as Inuvik and Iqaluit.
The companies were also required to outline how they should share economic benefits with Canadian businesses.
Defence analyst Dave Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute said the aerospace firms were given a very narrow window to respond to a complex request, suggesting the government is in a hurry to find a fix for the aging fighters.
“It was a crazy request in a crazy time frame . . . It’s a lot of stuff to ask for pretty quickly,” he said in an interview.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has said that the air force is in a race against the clock. In June, he said that Canada faces a “capability gap”: as the aging jets reach the end of their lifespan, the air force may not have enough fighters to meet demands.
That was underscored in the note to the aerospace firms accompanying the questionnaire that said new jets are needed “as soon as possible so Canada can remain a credible and dependable ally.”
The previous Conservative government had originally announced its intention to buy F-35s in 2010, but then put that decision on hold in late 2012 after the auditor general flagged concerns about the potential price tag.
On the election trail last year, Trudeau vowed that a Liberal government would not buy the F-35 and would instead choose a less costly option to free up “tens of billions of dollars” that would be invested in the navy.
Since taking office, the Liberals have softened that hardline stance and suggested that the F-35 would be considered, even though Trudeau recently denounced the high-tech aircraft as unworkable.
The letter to the manufacturers said that no decision has been made and that “all procurement options are being considered.” It also stresses that the questionnaire is not a formal tender or request for proposals.
The CF-18s have been in service since the early 1980s, when the government had plans to only fly them for 20 years.
Modernization work has extended the life of 77 CF-18s and further work could keep them in the air until 2025 though the document warns that the fighters are “old and are running out of life.
“The reality is our fighters should have been replaced years ago,” the note reads. “As the existing fleet gets older, and aircraft are retired, the capability gap only gets worse.”
But picking a replacement jet proved contentious for the former Conservative government and it’s been troublesome for the Liberals, too.
There’s been speculation that the Liberals, keen to live up to their campaign pledge, may buy a batch of Super Hornets as a stopgap measure to ease pressure on the fleet but also buy the government some time.
Perry is hopeful that the selection process isn’t unfairly skewed toward Boeing.
“I hope they haven’t ruled out anyone — and before doing this, aren’t heavily favouring anyone — and just pick whatever provides the best return for the dollar,” he said.
OTTAWA—Five aerospace companies are offering their fighter jets as potential replacement for Canada’s fleet of aging CF-18s, including Lockheed Martin’s F-35, the very jet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged not to buy.
The federal government had set Friday as the deadline for potential suppliers to respond to a detailed questionnaire outlining the costs and capabilities of their jets, as well as benefits that would flow to Canadian companies.
The defence department said Saturday that five companies responded: Boeing Company, Dassault Aviation, Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin and Saab Group.
“Government officials are now reviewing and analyzing information received to date to inform the way forward over the coming months,” a department spokesperson told the Star in an email.
A Boeing executive said his company is offering its F/A-18 Super Hornet as a “great fit” for Canada, saying the purchase and operating costs for its jet rank as among the lowest of its competitors
“With respect to capability, cost . . . we’ve really put a good offer on the table,” Jim Barnes, a Canadian development executive for Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said Friday.
Despite Lockheed Martin’s sales pitch that its F-35 is a more advanced and newer design, Barnes said the Boeing jet easily meets the needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
“I would argue that all capability you need is in the Super Hornet,” he said in an interview.
Lockheed Martin confirmed that its F-35 is also in the mix.
The F-35 has been dogged by controversy but company officials said the program has turned a corner, noting that the U.S. Air Force expects this year to declare the jet as “operational,” an important milestone that means the F-35 is ready to undertake missions.
The questionnaire demanded extensive details from the manufacturers. For example, it asked them to detail the cost of new weapons if the current stockpile of ammunition, missiles and bombs for the CF-18s is incompatible with their aircraft.
It also asked the jet makers to outline potential missions, notably in Canada’s north, flying from places such as Inuvik and Iqaluit.
The companies were also required to outline how they should share economic benefits with Canadian businesses.
Defence analyst Dave Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute said the aerospace firms were given a very narrow window to respond to a complex request, suggesting the government is in a hurry to find a fix for the aging fighters.
“It was a crazy request in a crazy time frame . . . It’s a lot of stuff to ask for pretty quickly,” he said in an interview.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has said that the air force is in a race against the clock. In June, he said that Canada faces a “capability gap”: as the aging jets reach the end of their lifespan, the air force may not have enough fighters to meet demands.
That was underscored in the note to the aerospace firms accompanying the questionnaire that said new jets are needed “as soon as possible so Canada can remain a credible and dependable ally.”
The previous Conservative government had originally announced its intention to buy F-35s in 2010, but then put that decision on hold in late 2012 after the auditor general flagged concerns about the potential price tag.
On the election trail last year, Trudeau vowed that a Liberal government would not buy the F-35 and would instead choose a less costly option to free up “tens of billions of dollars” that would be invested in the navy.
Since taking office, the Liberals have softened that hardline stance and suggested that the F-35 would be considered, even though Trudeau recently denounced the high-tech aircraft as unworkable.
The letter to the manufacturers said that no decision has been made and that “all procurement options are being considered.” It also stresses that the questionnaire is not a formal tender or request for proposals.
The CF-18s have been in service since the early 1980s, when the government had plans to only fly them for 20 years.
Modernization work has extended the life of 77 CF-18s and further work could keep them in the air until 2025 though the document warns that the fighters are “old and are running out of life.
“The reality is our fighters should have been replaced years ago,” the note reads. “As the existing fleet gets older, and aircraft are retired, the capability gap only gets worse.”
But picking a replacement jet proved contentious for the former Conservative government and it’s been troublesome for the Liberals, too.
There’s been speculation that the Liberals, keen to live up to their campaign pledge, may buy a batch of Super Hornets as a stopgap measure to ease pressure on the fleet but also buy the government some time.
Perry is hopeful that the selection process isn’t unfairly skewed toward Boeing.
“I hope they haven’t ruled out anyone — and before doing this, aren’t heavily favouring anyone — and just pick whatever provides the best return for the dollar,” he said.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Canada Requests for information from Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Saab, Dassault and Eurofighter in CF-18 Replacement
By: DefenseWorld.Net
Canada has issued a request for information to Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Saab, Dassault and Eurofighter earlier this month seeking information by the end of July in order to design an acquisition process to replace Ottawa’s CF-18 fighters.
Amidst reports that Lockheed Martin’s F-18 stands at an advantage in Canada’s fighter aircraft competition, the Canadian MoD has issued a document stating “all procurement options are being considered,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was quoted as saying by the globe and mail earlier this month.
The Department of National Defence predicts that its fleet of CF-18s will be able to fly into the next decade, even as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan ramps up his calls for an urgent purchase of new fighter jets to ward off an eventual “capability loss.”
“Some aircraft could begin to be retired beginning in 2023. Over all, the Canadian Armed Forces are working to “extend the fleet to 2025” as part of a series of upgrades,” said a document provided at the start of this month to the five aircraft manufacturers in the race to offer new fighter jets.
He added that the Canadian Forces have adopted a risk-management strategy to deal with the scarcity of available aircraft, and he wants to put an end to the practice. Because of maintenance issues, he said, only about half the fleet of 77 fighter jets is available at any given time.
Conservative MP James Bezan said the government seems to be looking for a way to fulfill its promise to buy an aircraft other than the F-35.
“This is about setting the narrative to go to a sole-source [acquisition of Super Hornets],” he said.
Bezan said the government could simply launch an open competition and quickly obtain the best product for the Canadian Forces at the best price for taxpayers.
“There’s no question that planes are available,” he said, explaining that both Super Hornets and F-35s are currently in production. “They can go through this very methodically and still come to the right decision, rather than try to rig the process.”
Asked to expand on the capability gap, Sajjan’s office said the 2023 timeline for the retirement of the first aircraft “doesn’t take into consideration any of the issues that could come up with our fleet,” such as crashes, being used for parts, or other commitments for deployment to NATO or peacekeeping missions that would add flying hours.
The government sent a 38-page questionnaire last week to five aircraft manufacturers that are in the running to replace the CF-18s.
The acquisition process will be unveiled as early as September. The questions include acquisition and life-cycle costs, current and planned production numbers, and potential industrial and technological benefits for Canada.
Canada has issued a request for information to Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Saab, Dassault and Eurofighter earlier this month seeking information by the end of July in order to design an acquisition process to replace Ottawa’s CF-18 fighters.
Amidst reports that Lockheed Martin’s F-18 stands at an advantage in Canada’s fighter aircraft competition, the Canadian MoD has issued a document stating “all procurement options are being considered,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was quoted as saying by the globe and mail earlier this month.
The Department of National Defence predicts that its fleet of CF-18s will be able to fly into the next decade, even as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan ramps up his calls for an urgent purchase of new fighter jets to ward off an eventual “capability loss.”
“Some aircraft could begin to be retired beginning in 2023. Over all, the Canadian Armed Forces are working to “extend the fleet to 2025” as part of a series of upgrades,” said a document provided at the start of this month to the five aircraft manufacturers in the race to offer new fighter jets.
He added that the Canadian Forces have adopted a risk-management strategy to deal with the scarcity of available aircraft, and he wants to put an end to the practice. Because of maintenance issues, he said, only about half the fleet of 77 fighter jets is available at any given time.
Conservative MP James Bezan said the government seems to be looking for a way to fulfill its promise to buy an aircraft other than the F-35. “This is about setting the narrative to go to a sole-source [acquisition of Super Hornets],” he said.
Bezan said the government could simply launch an open competition and quickly obtain the best product for the Canadian Forces at the best price for taxpayers.
“There’s no question that planes are available,” he said, explaining that both Super Hornets and F-35s are currently in production. “They can go through this very methodically and still come to the right decision, rather than try to rig the process.”
Asked to expand on the capability gap, Mr. Sajjan’s office said the 2023 timeline for the retirement of the first aircraft “doesn’t take into consideration any of the issues that could come up with our fleet,” such as crashes, being used for parts, or other commitments for deployment to NATO or peacekeeping missions that would add flying hours.
The government sent a 38-page questionnaire last week to five aircraft manufacturers that are in the running to replace the CF-18s.
The acquisition process will be unveiled as early as September. The questions include acquisition and life-cycle costs, current and planned production numbers, and potential industrial and technological benefits for Canada.
Canada has issued a request for information to Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Saab, Dassault and Eurofighter earlier this month seeking information by the end of July in order to design an acquisition process to replace Ottawa’s CF-18 fighters.
Amidst reports that Lockheed Martin’s F-18 stands at an advantage in Canada’s fighter aircraft competition, the Canadian MoD has issued a document stating “all procurement options are being considered,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was quoted as saying by the globe and mail earlier this month.
The Department of National Defence predicts that its fleet of CF-18s will be able to fly into the next decade, even as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan ramps up his calls for an urgent purchase of new fighter jets to ward off an eventual “capability loss.”
“Some aircraft could begin to be retired beginning in 2023. Over all, the Canadian Armed Forces are working to “extend the fleet to 2025” as part of a series of upgrades,” said a document provided at the start of this month to the five aircraft manufacturers in the race to offer new fighter jets.
He added that the Canadian Forces have adopted a risk-management strategy to deal with the scarcity of available aircraft, and he wants to put an end to the practice. Because of maintenance issues, he said, only about half the fleet of 77 fighter jets is available at any given time.
Conservative MP James Bezan said the government seems to be looking for a way to fulfill its promise to buy an aircraft other than the F-35.
“This is about setting the narrative to go to a sole-source [acquisition of Super Hornets],” he said.
Bezan said the government could simply launch an open competition and quickly obtain the best product for the Canadian Forces at the best price for taxpayers.
“There’s no question that planes are available,” he said, explaining that both Super Hornets and F-35s are currently in production. “They can go through this very methodically and still come to the right decision, rather than try to rig the process.”
Asked to expand on the capability gap, Sajjan’s office said the 2023 timeline for the retirement of the first aircraft “doesn’t take into consideration any of the issues that could come up with our fleet,” such as crashes, being used for parts, or other commitments for deployment to NATO or peacekeeping missions that would add flying hours.
The government sent a 38-page questionnaire last week to five aircraft manufacturers that are in the running to replace the CF-18s.
The acquisition process will be unveiled as early as September. The questions include acquisition and life-cycle costs, current and planned production numbers, and potential industrial and technological benefits for Canada.
Canada has issued a request for information to Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Saab, Dassault and Eurofighter earlier this month seeking information by the end of July in order to design an acquisition process to replace Ottawa’s CF-18 fighters.
Amidst reports that Lockheed Martin’s F-18 stands at an advantage in Canada’s fighter aircraft competition, the Canadian MoD has issued a document stating “all procurement options are being considered,” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was quoted as saying by the globe and mail earlier this month.
The Department of National Defence predicts that its fleet of CF-18s will be able to fly into the next decade, even as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan ramps up his calls for an urgent purchase of new fighter jets to ward off an eventual “capability loss.”
“Some aircraft could begin to be retired beginning in 2023. Over all, the Canadian Armed Forces are working to “extend the fleet to 2025” as part of a series of upgrades,” said a document provided at the start of this month to the five aircraft manufacturers in the race to offer new fighter jets.
He added that the Canadian Forces have adopted a risk-management strategy to deal with the scarcity of available aircraft, and he wants to put an end to the practice. Because of maintenance issues, he said, only about half the fleet of 77 fighter jets is available at any given time.
Conservative MP James Bezan said the government seems to be looking for a way to fulfill its promise to buy an aircraft other than the F-35. “This is about setting the narrative to go to a sole-source [acquisition of Super Hornets],” he said.
Bezan said the government could simply launch an open competition and quickly obtain the best product for the Canadian Forces at the best price for taxpayers.
“There’s no question that planes are available,” he said, explaining that both Super Hornets and F-35s are currently in production. “They can go through this very methodically and still come to the right decision, rather than try to rig the process.”
Asked to expand on the capability gap, Mr. Sajjan’s office said the 2023 timeline for the retirement of the first aircraft “doesn’t take into consideration any of the issues that could come up with our fleet,” such as crashes, being used for parts, or other commitments for deployment to NATO or peacekeeping missions that would add flying hours.
The government sent a 38-page questionnaire last week to five aircraft manufacturers that are in the running to replace the CF-18s.
The acquisition process will be unveiled as early as September. The questions include acquisition and life-cycle costs, current and planned production numbers, and potential industrial and technological benefits for Canada.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Former CF-5s in Bostwana being Replaced by SAAB Gripens
David Pugliese, Defence Watch
The former CF-5 jets that Canada sold to Botswana will be replaced by Gripens.
The former CF-5 jets that Canada sold to Botswana will be replaced by Gripens.
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| A former RCAF CF-5 "Freedom Fighter" at its current airfield in Botswana. |
The CF-5s were removed from service in June 1995, shortly after the Canadian Forces pumped $79 million into upgrading some of them. Botswana purchased 16 of the aircraft as well as a supply of spare parts. Another 57 of the planes were sent to museums or to Canadian Forces bases for use as training aids.
My Defense News colleague Oscar Nkala is now reporting that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has confirmed negotiations with Swedish aircraft manufacturer Försvarets Materielverk are underway for the acquisition of between eight and 12 JAS Gripen “C” and “D” aircraft.
Botswana looked at the purchase of F-16s, Russian as well as Chinese jets.
The Gripen had the lowest operating cost, said BDF commander Lt. Gen. Gaolathe Galebotswe. “The Gripen fits our requirements and could give us a certain edge over our competitors,” he explained. “F-5s have become unsustainable for the BDF. We needed something that is cost-effective but still capable of carrying out our aerial defense mandate because we should have the capability to operate in both contested and uncontested space.”
The cost of the possible contract is estimated at US $1.7 billion, Defense News reported.
Oscar’s article can be read here:
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/mideast-africa/2016/06/15/gripens-botswana-f-5-military-equipment/85939750/
My Defense News colleague Oscar Nkala is now reporting that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has confirmed negotiations with Swedish aircraft manufacturer Försvarets Materielverk are underway for the acquisition of between eight and 12 JAS Gripen “C” and “D” aircraft.
Botswana looked at the purchase of F-16s, Russian as well as Chinese jets.
The Gripen had the lowest operating cost, said BDF commander Lt. Gen. Gaolathe Galebotswe. “The Gripen fits our requirements and could give us a certain edge over our competitors,” he explained. “F-5s have become unsustainable for the BDF. We needed something that is cost-effective but still capable of carrying out our aerial defense mandate because we should have the capability to operate in both contested and uncontested space.”
The cost of the possible contract is estimated at US $1.7 billion, Defense News reported.
Oscar’s article can be read here:
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/mideast-africa/2016/06/15/gripens-botswana-f-5-military-equipment/85939750/
Friday, May 27, 2016
Sajjan: CF-18's Need Replacement Now
By: Daniel Leblanc - The Globe and Mail
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has pushed the purchase of new fighter jets to the top of his priority list, stating the current fleet of CF-18s can hardly fulfill its domestic and international mandates.
“Our fleet of CF-18s need to be replaced now. And the fact they have not been replaced means we are facing a capability gap in the years ahead,” Mr. Sajjan said in a speech on Thursday morning.
“Now, we did not create this issue. Unfortunately I inherited it, but it needs to be dealt with quickly,” he said, blaming the previous Conservative government for failing to buy a replacement plane.
Mr. Sajjan made the comments at the CANSEC defence and military trade show in Ottawa, where the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers are lobbying federal officials on the merits of their respective product.
Lockheed Martin, which makes the F-35 stealth fighter, has a large presence at CANSEC, despite the Liberal Party’s promise in the last election not to buy its airplane.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Sajjan refused to state whether any aircraft manufacturer will be prevented from bidding on the multi-billion-dollar contract.
“As I said from the get-go, right now my focus is on making sure that our men and women in the Air Force have the right capabilities and my focus is replacing the F-18s,” Mr. Sajjan said, refusing to lay out a specific timeline for the purchase.
Canada remains an official partner in the F-35 program, which has allowed Canadian firms to win contracts for the international production line. Still, Mr. Sajjan said that will not influence the government’s handling of the procurement process.
“This doesn’t mean that the F-35, we are going to be purchasing that,” he said. “I want to make sure that we do our due diligence before we make any decisions.”
In the last election campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised to opt for a more “affordable” aircraft than the stealth Lockheed Martin fighter jet.
“We will not buy the F-35 fighter jet,” said Mr. Trudeau, less than two months before he was sworn in as prime minister.
However, in his mandate letter to his lead ministers on the procurement file, Mr. Trudeau simply called on them to launch an open and transparent process to replace the CF-18s.
Mr. Sajjan said time is running short.
“Today, we are risk-managing a gap between our NORAD and NATO commitments and the number of fighters available for operations. In the 2020s, we can foresee a growing capability gap, and this, I find unacceptable and it’s one thing that we plan to fix,” the Minister of Defence said in his speech.
The CF-18s were designed to last 20 years when they were purchased in the 1980s. The planes will now be used for twice as long, lasting into the 2020s, Mr. Sajjan said.
More than two dozen protestors blocked one of the main entrances to the CANSEC trade show on Thursday, denouncing the Liberal government for approving the sale of Canadian-made light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia. Letting only a few cars enter the facility every minute, the protestors sang songs such as Solidarity Forever and carried banners stating “Canadians Say No To Sending Weapons To Saudi Arabia.”
“He’s putting a Liberal face on the sale of weapons of destruction,” protestor Joel Harden said of Mr. Sajjan. “The Liberals can’t wash their hands of this.”
Still, inside the trade show, Mr. Sajjan toured the booth of General Dynamics Land Systems, which featured a LAV 6.0 vehicle that can be used for humanitarian work.
“That’s great,” Mr. Sajjan said as he was briefed by a GDLS official on the capabilities of the vehicle.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has pushed the purchase of new fighter jets to the top of his priority list, stating the current fleet of CF-18s can hardly fulfill its domestic and international mandates.
 |
| Minister of National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan speaks at the CANSEC conference in Ottawa, Thursday May 26, 2016. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS) |
“Now, we did not create this issue. Unfortunately I inherited it, but it needs to be dealt with quickly,” he said, blaming the previous Conservative government for failing to buy a replacement plane.
Mr. Sajjan made the comments at the CANSEC defence and military trade show in Ottawa, where the world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers are lobbying federal officials on the merits of their respective product.
Lockheed Martin, which makes the F-35 stealth fighter, has a large presence at CANSEC, despite the Liberal Party’s promise in the last election not to buy its airplane.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Sajjan refused to state whether any aircraft manufacturer will be prevented from bidding on the multi-billion-dollar contract.
“As I said from the get-go, right now my focus is on making sure that our men and women in the Air Force have the right capabilities and my focus is replacing the F-18s,” Mr. Sajjan said, refusing to lay out a specific timeline for the purchase.
Canada remains an official partner in the F-35 program, which has allowed Canadian firms to win contracts for the international production line. Still, Mr. Sajjan said that will not influence the government’s handling of the procurement process.
“This doesn’t mean that the F-35, we are going to be purchasing that,” he said. “I want to make sure that we do our due diligence before we make any decisions.”
In the last election campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised to opt for a more “affordable” aircraft than the stealth Lockheed Martin fighter jet.
“We will not buy the F-35 fighter jet,” said Mr. Trudeau, less than two months before he was sworn in as prime minister.
However, in his mandate letter to his lead ministers on the procurement file, Mr. Trudeau simply called on them to launch an open and transparent process to replace the CF-18s.
Mr. Sajjan said time is running short.
“Today, we are risk-managing a gap between our NORAD and NATO commitments and the number of fighters available for operations. In the 2020s, we can foresee a growing capability gap, and this, I find unacceptable and it’s one thing that we plan to fix,” the Minister of Defence said in his speech.
The CF-18s were designed to last 20 years when they were purchased in the 1980s. The planes will now be used for twice as long, lasting into the 2020s, Mr. Sajjan said.
More than two dozen protestors blocked one of the main entrances to the CANSEC trade show on Thursday, denouncing the Liberal government for approving the sale of Canadian-made light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia. Letting only a few cars enter the facility every minute, the protestors sang songs such as Solidarity Forever and carried banners stating “Canadians Say No To Sending Weapons To Saudi Arabia.”
“He’s putting a Liberal face on the sale of weapons of destruction,” protestor Joel Harden said of Mr. Sajjan. “The Liberals can’t wash their hands of this.”
Still, inside the trade show, Mr. Sajjan toured the booth of General Dynamics Land Systems, which featured a LAV 6.0 vehicle that can be used for humanitarian work.
“That’s great,” Mr. Sajjan said as he was briefed by a GDLS official on the capabilities of the vehicle.
Liberal Officials Explore CF-18 Replacement Options
By: Daniel Leblanc - The Globe and Mail
The chief of staff to Procurement Minister Judy Foote sat in an F-35 simulator and fought against fake enemy jets at a military trade show in Ottawa, offering a clear sense that the once-maligned Lockheed-Martin aircraft remains in the race to replace Canada’s fleet of CF-18s.
The chief of staff to Procurement Minister Judy Foote sat in an F-35 simulator and fought against fake enemy jets at a military trade show in Ottawa, offering a clear sense that the once-maligned Lockheed-Martin aircraft remains in the race to replace Canada’s fleet of CF-18s.
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| A model of the Lockheed Martin F-35 at CANSEC 2016 (Globe and Mail/Dave Chan) |
Gianluca Cairo also tried his hand at Boeing’s Super Hornet simulator, later explaining that the government is simply involved in “information sharing” with all of the firms interested in the massive military contract.
Still, there has been a heavy federal presence at this year’s CANSEC security and defence trade show, as both bureaucratic and political staff showed a willingness to find out more about all of the fighter jets on the market despite the Liberal Party’s pledge not to buy F-35s.
Officials from many of the world’s largest military manufacturers were out in full force to lobby the government on the multibillion-dollar fighter-jet procurement that has been in limbo for years, all trying to prod the Liberals into launching a competition as soon as possible.
“It’s an evolving process,” said John Belanger of Sweden’s Saab, which is hoping to sell its Gripen fighter jet to the Canadian Forces.
“At this point, the government really needs to come out and tell us what they are looking for.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party said during last year’s election campaign that it “no longer makes sense” to buy a fighter with the F-35’s stealth, first-strike capability, citing skyrocketing costs for a plane that has been plagued with development problems. The Liberals vowed instead to buy a “lower-priced” aircraft and funnel the savings into the Royal Canadian Navy.
However, Mr. Cairo and other officials from Ms. Foote’s office, as well as senior bureaucrats in charge of procurement, made a point of touring all of the stalls at the fair on Wednesday.
At the Lockheed-Martin booth, former Canadian fighter pilot Billie Flynn and retired lieutenant-general Charles Bouchard greeted visitors by arguing that Canada needs the most modern fighter-jet capability to ward off security threats. Canada has been a paying partner in the F-35 program since 2001, although it remains to be seen whether the Canadian Forces will ever buy the aircraft for their own use.
“What I know is that the F-35 program continues to advance and that more countries continue to commit to the airplane with vigour,” Mr. Flynn said in an interview. “There is no wavering of commitment of the partners in the F-35 program and the momentum continues to be strong.”
Boeing is countering that its twin-engine Super Hornet is the best-equipped aircraft to patrol the Arctic, stating it offers more options to pilots in the event of an engine loss than the single-engine F-35.
“It is fundamentally important for the kinds of missions that Canada performs on a day-to-day basis,” said Roberto Valla, Boeing’s vice-president for Canada.
Mr. Valla added that Boeing is promising to invest 100 per cent of the value of the fighter-jet contract in industrial and technological benefits in Canada, whereas the F-35 program only offers Canadian firms a chance to bid on contracts for the international project.
A number of protesters arrived early at CANSEC on Wednesday to denounce Canada’s sale of light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, arguing the $15-billion contract should have been cancelled over human-rights concerns in the country.
“International human-rights organizations and the United Nations have provided ample evidence that Saudi Arabia uses weaponry, specifically armoured vehicles mounted with machine guns, to kill and injure unarmed civilians in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen,” said Kevin Shimmin of a group called Homes Not Bombs.
Protesters are expected to show up again on Thursday when Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Ms. Foote both speak on the final day of CANSEC.
Still, there has been a heavy federal presence at this year’s CANSEC security and defence trade show, as both bureaucratic and political staff showed a willingness to find out more about all of the fighter jets on the market despite the Liberal Party’s pledge not to buy F-35s.
Officials from many of the world’s largest military manufacturers were out in full force to lobby the government on the multibillion-dollar fighter-jet procurement that has been in limbo for years, all trying to prod the Liberals into launching a competition as soon as possible.
“It’s an evolving process,” said John Belanger of Sweden’s Saab, which is hoping to sell its Gripen fighter jet to the Canadian Forces.
“At this point, the government really needs to come out and tell us what they are looking for.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party said during last year’s election campaign that it “no longer makes sense” to buy a fighter with the F-35’s stealth, first-strike capability, citing skyrocketing costs for a plane that has been plagued with development problems. The Liberals vowed instead to buy a “lower-priced” aircraft and funnel the savings into the Royal Canadian Navy.
However, Mr. Cairo and other officials from Ms. Foote’s office, as well as senior bureaucrats in charge of procurement, made a point of touring all of the stalls at the fair on Wednesday.
At the Lockheed-Martin booth, former Canadian fighter pilot Billie Flynn and retired lieutenant-general Charles Bouchard greeted visitors by arguing that Canada needs the most modern fighter-jet capability to ward off security threats. Canada has been a paying partner in the F-35 program since 2001, although it remains to be seen whether the Canadian Forces will ever buy the aircraft for their own use.
“What I know is that the F-35 program continues to advance and that more countries continue to commit to the airplane with vigour,” Mr. Flynn said in an interview. “There is no wavering of commitment of the partners in the F-35 program and the momentum continues to be strong.”
Boeing is countering that its twin-engine Super Hornet is the best-equipped aircraft to patrol the Arctic, stating it offers more options to pilots in the event of an engine loss than the single-engine F-35.
“It is fundamentally important for the kinds of missions that Canada performs on a day-to-day basis,” said Roberto Valla, Boeing’s vice-president for Canada.
Mr. Valla added that Boeing is promising to invest 100 per cent of the value of the fighter-jet contract in industrial and technological benefits in Canada, whereas the F-35 program only offers Canadian firms a chance to bid on contracts for the international project.
A number of protesters arrived early at CANSEC on Wednesday to denounce Canada’s sale of light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, arguing the $15-billion contract should have been cancelled over human-rights concerns in the country.
“International human-rights organizations and the United Nations have provided ample evidence that Saudi Arabia uses weaponry, specifically armoured vehicles mounted with machine guns, to kill and injure unarmed civilians in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen,” said Kevin Shimmin of a group called Homes Not Bombs.
Protesters are expected to show up again on Thursday when Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Ms. Foote both speak on the final day of CANSEC.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Dassault Rafale Ranks No. 4 in terms of BVR
By: Daniel Maillet, CAF Dispatch author
I have posted on several occasions that I believe the Dassault Rafale is an ideal candidate as a replacement to the ageing CF-18 Hornets of the RCAF.
Well here is yet another reason by the Rafale stands out; in a recent update to its annual ranking of fighter-jets, Hush-Kit has ranked the Rafale as the no. 4 fighter in the world in terms of Beyond Visual Range (BVR).
According to Hush-Kit, "[t]o excel in Beyond Visual Range air combat a fighter must be well-armed and equipped with capable avionics. It must be able to fly high and fast to impart the maximum range to its missiles, allowing them to hit the enemy before he is even aware of their presence. The aircraft must give its crews good enough situational awareness not to shoot their friends down, and be easy to operate so it can deploy its weapons quickly and accurately. The black magic of the aircraft’s electronic warfare suite can also come in to its own, reducing the opponent’s situation awareness."
In its original BVR ranking in 2013, Hush-Kit ranked the Rafale no. 7. "The Rafale has leapt from no. 7 to no. 4 thanks to the new RBE2 AESA radar. The Rafale has great agility, one of the lowest radar cross sections of a ‘conventional’ aircraft and its defensive systems are generally considered superior to those of its arch-rival, the Typhoon. It falls down in its main armament, the MICA, which is generally considered to have a lower maximum range than later model AMRAAMs. It has a little less poke than the Typhoon in terms of thrust-to-weight ratio leading some potential customers in hot countries to demand an engine upgrade. It has yet to be integrated with a helmet cueing system in operational service."
I have posted on several occasions that I believe the Dassault Rafale is an ideal candidate as a replacement to the ageing CF-18 Hornets of the RCAF.
Well here is yet another reason by the Rafale stands out; in a recent update to its annual ranking of fighter-jets, Hush-Kit has ranked the Rafale as the no. 4 fighter in the world in terms of Beyond Visual Range (BVR).
According to Hush-Kit, "[t]o excel in Beyond Visual Range air combat a fighter must be well-armed and equipped with capable avionics. It must be able to fly high and fast to impart the maximum range to its missiles, allowing them to hit the enemy before he is even aware of their presence. The aircraft must give its crews good enough situational awareness not to shoot their friends down, and be easy to operate so it can deploy its weapons quickly and accurately. The black magic of the aircraft’s electronic warfare suite can also come in to its own, reducing the opponent’s situation awareness."
In its original BVR ranking in 2013, Hush-Kit ranked the Rafale no. 7. "The Rafale has leapt from no. 7 to no. 4 thanks to the new RBE2 AESA radar. The Rafale has great agility, one of the lowest radar cross sections of a ‘conventional’ aircraft and its defensive systems are generally considered superior to those of its arch-rival, the Typhoon. It falls down in its main armament, the MICA, which is generally considered to have a lower maximum range than later model AMRAAMs. It has a little less poke than the Typhoon in terms of thrust-to-weight ratio leading some potential customers in hot countries to demand an engine upgrade. It has yet to be integrated with a helmet cueing system in operational service."
If/when Dassault upgrades to a helmet that includes a cueing system - it will only make the Rafale a stronger aircraft.
One more reason for the Rafale to be the next fighter for Canada. I think it is pertinent to note, the other leading contender to replace the CF-18's; the F/A-18 Super Hornet ranked no. 9. In terms of BVR - the Super Hornet is already beginning to show its age; and will need expensive upgrades added to any purchase to keep it competitive.
The top 5 BVR fighters were:
5. Sukhoi Su-35S
4. Dassault Rafale
3. Eurofighter Typhoon
2. Saab Gripen C/D
One more reason for the Rafale to be the next fighter for Canada. I think it is pertinent to note, the other leading contender to replace the CF-18's; the F/A-18 Super Hornet ranked no. 9. In terms of BVR - the Super Hornet is already beginning to show its age; and will need expensive upgrades added to any purchase to keep it competitive.
The top 5 BVR fighters were:
5. Sukhoi Su-35S
4. Dassault Rafale
3. Eurofighter Typhoon
2. Saab Gripen C/D
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
You can read the entire top 10 ranking here:
https://hushkit.net/2016/04/24/the-top-bvr-fighters-of-2016/
You can read the entire top 10 ranking here:
https://hushkit.net/2016/04/24/the-top-bvr-fighters-of-2016/
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