Canada moves to 2% GDP end of FY25/26 - PMMC

[YZT580]

Why?

Have you seen the range available on our Chinook or the MV-75? Also, our Hercs train ALARP anyway. Rotary Wing AAR isn't strictly necessary.

Yes I have and both start to run out of gas around 500 nm and, at least for the Chinook they come with inflight refuel capability. Why limit yourself? The concept of using unmanned capabilities is great but I haven't heard of that being pursued by our forces yet and when/if we do how will that work in a hot environment? As for setting up a forward refueling zone, the one scenario I recall was a less than spectacular attempt by the USAF into Iran. It is always and I emphasize always worthwhile to have an alternative and the herc makes a great mother ship. Also useable elsewhere when this capability is not required. Just asking as an interested civilian.

 

[Good2Golf]

Yes I have and both start to run out of gas around 500 nm and, at least for the Chinook they come with inflight refuel capability. Why limit yourself? The concept of using unmanned capabilities is great but I haven't heard of that being pursued by our forces yet and when/if we do how will that work in a hot environment? As for setting up a forward refueling zone, the one scenario I recall was a less than spectacular attempt by the USAF into Iran. It is always and I emphasize always worthwhile to have an alternative and the herc makes a great mother ship. Also useable elsewhere when this capability is not required. Just asking as an interested civilian.

Define “start to run out.” Publicly available Chinook specifications conservatively place operational range (which doesn’t include fuel reserves) in the 600s-700s of nm (1200+ km). Do you mean range when you only fill the tanks 2/3 full?

 

[ytz]

Why limit yourself?

Cause money and (especially) people don't grow on trees. Every capability we add is vetted against the reality of being short people and/or increasing technical or logistics burden.

Given that the CA doesn't generally do covert long range air assault, it's questionable value to enable RW AAR for us which would be a major effort having to retrofit all the helos and then fit out refuelling pods on the Js.

 

[dapaterson]

I know the Hawk rumours. And they were credible. But all of that is up in the air with the DIS.

I don't think people outside fully grasp the impact of the DIS.

I don't think people inside fully grasp it either.

The writing has been on the wall for months, yet many PMOs have assumed "we'll do a nat sec exemption and go FMS" as their sole COA.

Shades of the very early days of FFCP (2012 or so?) when the RCAF fighter mafia, having seen the Herc J, C17 and Chinook acquisitions go like shit through a goose, made not every the slightest effort in their bid to go all in on JSF, declaring everything to be low risk.

 

[ytz]

Define “start to run out.” Publicly available Chinook specifications conservatively place operational range (which doesn’t include fuel reserves) in the 600s-700s of nm (1200+ km). Do you mean range when you only fill the tanks 2/3 full?

With the fat tanks we got on our Chinooks the range is in the ballpark you mention. Exactly why the RCAF wants more of them?

As for setting up a forward refueling zone, the one scenario I recall was a less than spectacular attempt by the USAF into Iran.

If you're Tac Hel, have you never done ALARP?