The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

[SeaKingTacco]

I thought Mirabel was huge and unused?

It is used for industrial purposes. Look at google maps. Ammo storage areas have pretty stringent standoff distances, depending on NEQ.

The runways are nice…certainly.

 

[suffolkowner]

It is used for industrial purposes. Look at google maps. Ammo storage areas have pretty stringent standoff distances, depending on NEQ.

The runways are nice…certainly.

" Mirabel would have been the largest airport in the world by surface area, with a planned area spanning a property totaling 39,660 hectares (396.6 km2; 98,000 acres). In 1989, 32,780 hectares (81,000 acres) of that were deeded back to their original owners."

Maybe should have kept a few more thousand hectares, but 7000 hectares still seems huge, or did it shrink again? How much space is enough and do the other areas/bases have it?

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

" Mirabel would have been the largest airport in the world by surface area, with a planned area spanning a property totaling 39,660 hectares (396.6 km2; 98,000 acres). In 1989, 32,780 hectares (81,000 acres) of that were deeded back to their original owners."

Maybe should have kept a few more thousand hectares, but 7000 hectares still seems huge, or did it shrink again? How much space is enough and do the other areas/bases have it?

The idea behind the huge expropriations around Mirabel was not to use the land as "airport" but to create, around the airport such a large uninhabited area that no one would ever complain about aircraft noise again (which was, and still is if I look at the people bringing it up again in recent years, the problem with Dorval). That area would have been either used for commercial/industrial development or rented out to commercial farming.

When all the flights were brought back to Dorval (because the people of Dorval clamoured for it when they suddenly realized all the money the town would loose when Dorval closed, as originally envisaged, and everything moved to Mirabel), a lot of the expropriated land was sold back, or given back to original owners,

 

[YZT580]

Out of curiosity why North Bay?

good fishing, hunting and sledding in the winter time which is 6 months of the year.
With regards to new infrasture, don't we already have what is needed for Gripens. There are the F18 hangers and I've noticed a number of closed truck stops and service centres on many of our highways, whoops that should be alternate airports. And its not as if we haven't run two fleets before. We had Voodoos and the 104 and I the Freedom fighters were on line for a little bit as well I think but that was a long time ago. Plus one more, we were operating CF100s as electronic aircraft out of North Bay incidentally so we were definitely operating far more than we envision now.

 

[YZT580]

I think the problem is the security requirements of the F35. It’s some next level stuff and I don’t think we could have common secure bays even if we wanted it. If we actually grow back to say 8 operational squadrons plus 2 OCS. Assuming current CF-18 footprint is one for one with F35. We definitely need more bases in Southern Canada. The problem is the current non fast jet bases we have can barely fit what we’re buying. Comox and Greenwood both could maybe take a squadron. If we start up flying again in North Bay maybe 1-2 squadrons. Might make more sense if they actually base the GlobalEye there. After that what? Maybe Winnipeg a squadron? They would be constantly fighting priority with civilian traffic, where would you but the ordnances that have the safe blast range? Same problem with Maribel. Outside those possibilities complete guess on my part Goose Bay or potentially Yellowknife if the full FOL/ mini CFB plan comes to fruition. Both those locations could fit 2 TFS probably. Those places would really struggle in terms of keeping personal around and the cost jezzz even we have the money will be eye watering.

Resurrect Gimli I suppose.

 

[PrairieFella]

Resurrect Gimli I suppose.

Morning PT being runs down to the beach sound lovely.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

good fishing, hunting and sledding in the winter time which is 6 months of the year.
With regards to new infrasture, don't we already have what is needed for Gripens. There are the F18 hangers and I've noticed a number of closed truck stops and service centres on many of our highways, whoops that should be alternate airports. And its not as if we haven't run two fleets before. We had Voodoos and the 104 and I the Freedom fighters were on line for a little bit as well I think but that was a long time ago. Plus one more, we were operating CF100s as electronic aircraft out of North Bay incidentally so we were definitely operating far more than we envision now.

The Gripens don't have the security requirements attached to them either, allowing more domestic and oversea deployments.

 

[MilEME09]

If the AEW fleet ends up there, that means we are paying for airfield upgrades, anyway. Might as well make it pay with more than one Sqn…

Fighters in Ottawa again too?