Canada requests seven additional Australian Hornets

Canada has requested an additional seven surplus F/A-18 A/B Hornets from Australia.
In February, Ottawa requested seven examples for use in non-flying activities such as software testing, static training, and spares, says Australia’s Department of Defence.
The deal is subject to US export controls. If approved, it will bring to 25 the number of former RAAF Hornets sold to Ottawa. Should export approvals be received, negotiations would determine delivery timings.
In December 2017, Canberra confirmed that it will sell Ottawa 18 F/A-18 A/B Hornets for an undisclosed sum.
The first two “classic” Hornets will be delivered to Canada in 2019, at which point the Royal Australian Air Force’s transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35 will be well underway.
The Royal Canadian Air Force requires airframes to fill a capability gap during a pending process to obtain 88 new combat aircraft to replace its 85 Boeing CF-18 A/B fighters.
In February 2018, Ottawa announced that five bidders – Boeing, Dassault, Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin, and Saab – are eligible to replace the CF-18s.
Canada’s previous Harper government had selected the F-35 to replace the CF-18 fleet in 2009, but in 2015 the incoming Trudeau government cancelled this. Initially, the RCAF announced plans to buy 24 F/A-18E/Fs as an interim solution, then select a permanent CF-18 replacement in the early 2020s.
The Boeing deal fell through, however, amid Boeing’s (ultimately unsuccessful) trade complaint with the US Commerce Department against Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier over allegedly unfair pricing on a sale of CSeries aircraft to Delta Air Lines. The Canadian government reacted strongly against Boeing, cancelling the interim fighter deal.
The RAAF operates 55 single seat F/A-18As and 16 two-seat F/A-18Bs that were acquired in the 1980s. This fleet will be retired by 2022 in favour of the F-35A, of which Canberra has committed to 72 examples.
flightglobal

NORAD: Russia Increasing Arctic Long Range Air Patrols

While Russian military aircraft have stepped up their activity everywhere from the North Sea to the Baltic to the Black Sea in the last year they have also been spotted more frequently closer to the U.S. territory in the Arctic, the head NORAD told on Tuesday.
Flights of Tupolev Tu-95 Bear ‘H’ Bombers have increased recently and they’ve been very aggressive in the Arctic in the amount of flights, not aggressive in how they fly.
Since the March seizure of the Ukrainian region of Crimea by Russian forces Moscow has significantly stepped up air patrols in Europe, Asia and near the Americas.
The flights extend as far North as the edge of American air space near Alaska and as far South as U.S. holdings in Guam.
In December, two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets intercepted a two Bears near the Beaufort Sea entering a U.S. and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
NATO interdicted a record number of Russian flights in 2014 and the Russians claim likewise the U.S. has stepped up its own flights near Russian territory.
usni

Canadian CF-18s complete first operational flights in Iraq

Canadian warplanes have flown their first operational flights, but have yet to carry out strike missions against Islamic State targets.
Six CF-18 jet fighters, two CP-140 Aurora surveillance planes and a CC-150 refuelling jet are operating out of undisclosed airfields in Kuwait and will launch bombing missions against the forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) soon.
The jets will be bombing military targets, such as command centres, vehicles and artillery, most of which is U.S-made hardware that ISIS fighters seized from fleeing Iraqi army forces earlier this summer.
Chinese missile reports a major concern
A number of fresh reports are circulating that coalition jets could face an increased anti-aircraft threat as Islamic State fighters are now apparently armed with sophisticated shoulder-launched missiles.
U.S. officials, speaking on background to the New York Times earlier this week, described the appearance of the Chinese-made FN-6 heat-seeking missiles as "game changers." It is believed the weapons were originally provided to moderate Syrian rebels by Qatar and possibly Saudi Arabia, according to the report.
The missiles are a major threat to low-flying aircraft, such as attack helicopters. ISIS reportedly shot down an Iraqi Army Apache gunship using the weapons.
Prior to the beginning of the campaign, Canadian military commanders acknowledged the anti-aircraft threat, but noted that both the CF-18s and the Auroras can fly higher than the effective range of the missiles, known as Manpads.
A bigger concern, according to defence experts, is that ISIS fighters might get their hands on an SA-24, the latest generation of Russia-made anti-aircraft weapons. The Iraqi government recently acquired such a system and those missiles have a longer range and the ability to manoeuvre in a more nimble fashion to avoid the counter-measures of its target.
Canadian terms is 6 months, for now

The Canadian contribution to the air campaign is mandated to last six months, but is likely to be extended.
The operations are being carried out under a blanket of secrecy as western bases, embassies and institutions throughout the Gulf region remains on heightened security alert for possible retaliation by Islamic State supporters.
cbc.ca

Canada Brings '6-pack Strategy' to Air Campaign Against Islamic State in Iraq

Canadian lawmakers have approved sending up to six CF-18 fighter aircraft to participate in airstrikes in Iraq, along with one CC-150 aerial refueling tanker, two CP-14 Aurora surveillance aircraft and one airlift aircraft, according to the Canadian prime minister’s office.
The motion approved this week by the House of Commons authorizes up to 69 soldiers with the Canadian army to advise and assist Iraqi security forces with a “non-combat role.”
Currently, Canadian airstrikes will only take place in Iraq.
Canada’s participation with airstrikes in Iraq will free up U.S. aircraft for use in Syria. Historically, Canada has deployed six aircraft to support joint operations.
defensenews

Canadian CF-18 Jet Extension Plan Will Delay F-35 Buys

Canada plans to conduct yet another modernization of its CF-18 fighter jets, an effort that will further delay purchases of the F-35 joint strike fighter.
The upgrade will allow the Boeing-made CF-18s to fly until 2025 and comes as Canada once again commits the aircraft to combat overseas.
The House of Commons voted Tuesday to contribute to the US-led air campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq.
Six CF-18 fighters, two CP-140 Aurora surveillance planes and around 600 personnel will be involved in the Iraq mission. An aerial tanker will also be sent to support the fighters.
Johanna Quinney, spokeswoman for Defence Minister Rob Nicholson, said the CF-18 modernization project is expected to run from 2016 to 2019.
The program will include replacing some flight controls, as well as structural and avionics upgrades.
The modernization program signals a further delay for Canada’s proposed purchase of the F-35. Canada was to have received its first F-35s in 2016, later delayed to 2017 and then to 2018.
The purchase is still on hold as the government examines options.
Canada flies 78 modernized CF-18 fighters. Canada was planning to replace those with the conventional take-off and landing version of the F-35.
defensenews

Life extension might be needed for Canadian CF-18 Hornets

Canadians will likely be on the hook for millions of dollars to keep the country’s aged CF18 fighter jets flying into the next decade because of delays in finding a replacement aircraft, secret documents show.
The CF18s were purchased in the early 1980s with the idea they would be retired in 2003. Instead, $2.6 billion was spent on upgrades starting in 2001 to keep them flying until 2020.
nationalpost.com

Still no replacement for Canada F-18

Canada Defence Minister continues to refuse to say when the government will announce which fighter jet will replace the fleet of CF-18s.
The government acknowledged that it received a report analyzing the pros and cons of replacing the CF-18s with one of four types of fighter jets: Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jet, Boeing's Super Hornet, the French-made Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Canada will spend up to $5 billion for the acquisition and 20-year support program for the aircraft.
torontosun

Canada To Choose New Fighter Jets in Coming Weeks

The Canadian government said Thursday it will choose one of four fighter jets in competition to replace its aging fleet of CF-18s “in the coming weeks.”
Critics, however, contend the procurement process, which was reset in 2012 amid complaints of several manufacturers being shut out of it — is rigged in favor of the American Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jet.
Over the past 14 months, an independent review panel compiled the costs, capabilities and weaknesses of Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault’s Rafale and the F-35.
Prime Minister said this week his cabinet would now review the panel’s report, which has not been made public.
The F-35 has been touted as a technological wonder. However, it has suffered setback after setback, notably with troublesome software. It is seven years behind schedule with a budget blow-out, making it the costliest weapons program in US history.
Australia, Britain, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey have also taken part in the development of the jet, along with the United States.
Australia and Turkey are the latest this year to place orders. South Korea is also expected to finalize plans to buy F-35 jets by year’s end.
defensenews

Canadian CF-18 Fighter aircraft bound for Romania

Canada Defence Ministerwas in Bagotville, Quebec, this morning to mark the departure of CF-18 fighter aircraft headed for Romania.
These fighter aircraft, along with support personnel, are travelling to Romania in order to conduct training activities in support of immediate reassurance measures. They will join Romania and other NATO Allies currently operating in the region as part of NATO Reassurance Measures to Central and Eastern Europe.
The six CF-18 fighter aircraft come from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron based out of 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, and departed at approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning.
The Government of Canada is contributing to NATO reassurance measures in order to promote security and stability in Eastern and Central Europe. Fifteen operational planning staff deployed on April 22 to augment Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe staff in Casteau, Belgium.
rcaf-arc

Canada to send 6 CF-18s for NATO operation in Eastern Europe

L’#OTAN salut la contribution canadienne à la sécurité Européenne par le déploiement de 6 CF-18 & 20 planificateurs: http://t.co/hSzWIRnaPw

— Canada à l’OTAN (@CanadaOTAN) April 22, 2014

Dassault Aviation ramps up CF-18 replacement pitch

Dassault Aviation is offering to Canada's government its Rafale fighter as the new air force jet.
The offer, includes the unrestricted transfer of technology.
It has been a little over a year since the Conservatives put on hold their plan to buy 65 Lockheed Martin F-35s, and almost two years since the auditor general accused National Defence and Public Works of low-balling the price of the stealth fighters.
The Royal Canadian Air Force's current fleet is due to retire around 2020.
"A decision sooner than later is always better," he said in an interview.
Dassault's pitch could receive a warm reception in light of the Harper government's drive to give Canadian companies some of the billions to be spent on the planes.
The transfer of technology would allow Canada more flexibility to service the aircraft without involving the French parent company. It could be a boon to domestic aerospace firms, especially those that are already making parts for the Rafale fighter.
Dassault's competitors include the F-35, the Boeing Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon. They all offer a certain amount of technology transfer, but Dassault hopes its broad offer will catch the government's attention.
Early in the F-35 program, the issue of how much technology the U.S. was willing to share with its allies became a major sticking point and a barrier to the participation of other countries. Washington further ruffled feathers when it said it would not share the jet's software source codes.
In 2006, the Canadian air force dismissed the Rafale as a CF-18 replacement, citing concerns about the aircraft's ability to operate alongside the Americans, but Robins said the jet flew seamlessly with U.S. fighters during the 2011 Libya bombing campaign.
"It has been proven in war."

cbc.ca

Canadá escoltará a Papá Noel con cuatro CF-18/ Canadian NORAD Region Announces Santa s Escort Pilots

Con la llegada de Navidad, la región canadiense del NORAD ha seleccionado a cuatro CF-18 como escolta cuando visite este país.
Las cámaras del NORAD captarán las imágenes de las visitas de Papá Noel, que podrán ser vistas en www.noradsanta.org..
(leer más)
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As Christmas gets closer, the Canadian NORAD Region has put the finishing touches on plans to track and escort Santa Claus when he visits Canada, and has selected four CF-18 fighter pilots who will act as Santa’s official escorts.
425 Tactical Fighter Squadron Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Sylvain Ménard, and Major Eric Haas, an exchange officer from the United States Air Force, will launch from 3 Wing Bagotville, Que., to welcome Santa as the sleigh approaches Canadian airspace. 409 Squadron Commander, Lt.-Col. Eric Kenny, and Captain Chad Ireland of 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., will take over the escort duties as Santa makes his way into Western Canada.
Special NORAD SantaCams, positioned around the world, will take photos and video of Santa and his sleigh as he journeys around the world. The SantaCams instantly download the photo and video imagery so that it may be viewed by children worldwide on the NORAD Tracks Santa website, www.noradsanta.org, on December 24. All of this information will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Chinese.
(read more)

ACCIDENTES DE UN MIG-31 RUSO Y UN F-18 CANADIENSE

Un MiG-31 de la Fuerza Aérea Rusa se ha estrellado en la zona de Perm, en la región de Montes Urales. Los dos tripulantes consiguieron eyectarse.
cavok


Un CF-18 Hornet de las Fuerzas Aéreas Canadienses se ha estrellado a 13 kilómetros de su base en Cold Lake, Alberta. Es el tercer CF-18 accidentado en 2010. El piloto consiguió eyectarse.
cavok

Completada modernización de CF-18 de Canadá/Boeing Completes CF-18 Hornet Modernization Project for Canada

Boeing ha entregado el CF-18 número 79 y final a Canadá.
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Boeing delivered the 79th -- and final -- upgraded CF-18 Hornet aircraft to the Canadian Department of National Defence during a ceremony in Mirabel, Quebec, hosted by industry partner L-3 Communications MAS, who performed final upgrade installations. The delivery brings the nine-year, two-phased CF-18 Modernization Project to a close.