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

[YZT580]

Wadena was tongue in cheek

CAF is competing for talent, part of that is offering postings where families can work and thrive. Increasingly, smaller communities are less attractive because spousal employment is limited - and even if there are opportunities, every posting means starting from the bottom of seniority lists (Wayne Eyre mentions that in his book).

which suggests activating, or re-constituting would probably be more appropriate, a closed facility. But how far outside a major centre is considered reasonable? As well, I believe the focus was on creating a reserve system which would require aircraft technicians on site but crew could and would commute. In the southern Ontario region YHM and the Toronto pair of airports are the only ones that are really busy London has a fair bit of executive and freight traffic but doesn't match HM. That leaves YKF and YFD that are close to YYZ and offer decent employee opportunities. YYB has been disparaged before on these pages so we will leave it out. What about Carp? It is close to Ottawa, with a single surfaced runway and a gravel strip that could easily be re-constituted and close to miles and miles of forest and lakes for training without traffic interference.

 

[AvroArrow92]

which suggests activating, or re-constituting would probably be more appropriate, a closed facility. But how far outside a major centre is considered reasonable? As well, I believe the focus was on creating a reserve system which would require aircraft technicians on site but crew could and would commute. In the southern Ontario region YHM and the Toronto pair of airports are the only ones that are really busy London has a fair bit of executive and freight traffic but doesn't match HM. That leaves YKF and YFD that are close to YYZ and offer decent employee opportunities. YYB has been disparaged before on these pages so we will leave it out. What about Carp? It is close to Ottawa, with a single surfaced runway and a gravel strip that could easily be re-constituted and close to miles and miles of forest and lakes for training without traffic interference.

Really there is very few airfields that would make sense for fast jet reactivation or new build. In my opinion you got North Bay, Winnipeg, Comox, and Greenwood that is it. Even then in terms of viablitly I would say North Bay, and that would still cost billions at least. New ramp space, secure hangers, ammo storage, fuel storage, more PMQ ext.. The military airspace still exist around North Bay, and it is remote enough that you won’t have a lot of complaints. While still being relatively close to major urban areas. You could maybe more readily create some civilian or military fields for fast jet activity but that is not the same thing. Canada would be better off adding another TFS to both Cold Lake and Bagotville before new fast jet MOB. If we want more presence for the RCAF, add a C130J sq in the A330MRTT MOB in YEG. Add a reserve helo sq somewhere in the BC lower mainland or Winnipeg or ideally both. Much better use of limited resources.

 

[YZT580]

Really there is very few airfields that would make sense for fast jet reactivation or new build. In my opinion you got North Bay, Winnipeg, Comox, and Greenwood that is it. Even then in terms of viablitly I would say North Bay, and that would still cost billions at least. New ramp space, secure hangers, ammo storage, fuel storage, more PMQ ext.. The military airspace still exist around North Bay, and it is remote enough that you won’t have a lot of complaints. While still being relatively close to major urban areas. You could maybe more readily create some civilian or military fields for fast jet activity but that is not the same thing. Canada would be better off adding another TFS to both Cold Lake and Bagotville before new fast jet MOB. If we want more presence for the RCAF, add a C130J sq in the A330MRTT MOB in YEG. Add a reserve helo sq somewhere in the BC lower mainland or Winnipeg or ideally both. Much better use of limited resources.

and then of course there is always Gimli. Its only an hour from WG and the runway surfaces are not in bad shape. Lots of room around for training and the lake for recreation. There are definitely worse places.

 

[daftandbarmy]

and then of course there is always Gimli. Its only an hour from WG and the runway surfaces are not in bad shape. Lots of room around for training and the lake for recreation. There are definitely worse places.

Castlegar airport fits the F-18...

But locally it's known as 'Cancelgar'

 

[childs56]

I've always been more supportive of setting up a jet trainer production line and adopting a fleet of armed variants for an actual cost effective platform for a number of roles. It's a far more realistic, cost effective and quick process versus trying to deal with a Gripen production line, alongside having better prospective export opportunities in the future. The Koreans are pushing their FA-50 to the Egyptians with the promise of domestic production of 70~ aircraft, that's something we should be considering versus Gripen.

SAAB not Gripen brings on more than a Jet fighter.
If we were to buy FA-50s what other sensor packages do or can we get with the system? What future development can we have or assist with in future changes and or manufacturing?

From my understanding SAAB is looking for a partner in Canada not only to buy some equipment but also to be a partner in development of systems across the board.
Canada offers a diverse group of experienced techs and engineers who offer a superb background in not only sensor fusion across various industries and systems, but various industries across the board such as aerospace. I think SAAB fully understands this as well as South Korea. Who are both wanting partnerships with Canada across a wide stream of systems development.

My head is not buried in the sand to not think Canada has ties with all the major and minor Defense contractors in the US. The US literally has their hands in every corner of the world in one way or another. They control the defense market around the globe directly and or indirectly.
What I am seeing is many of the "smaller" companies and Countries who have successful defense programs are looking for a alternative to just working with the Big boys on the market.
Very few times has the big guys development the next big thing. many projects have born out of smaller companies who came up witht the idea/ process hoping to make it big and then one of the large defense agencies swoop them up and or dictate the direction things will go while being financed by the US Defence program.

I think times are changing many of the smaller companies are realizing Canada brings more to the table than originally thought. If we just bring that we are next door to the US and they watch directly what we are doing in Defense research and development then that may be enough for a few of the smaller guys trying get more sales to the US. Many systems are said to be not usable or impractical by the large defense companies in the US. When in fact they are and at the right time they will again swoop in and buy them up. Not before low balling the smaller companies.
It is called business, but not often in good taste or faith.
I think Trump brought forward many of the concerns that Countries and manufactures have had for years. They are not partners with the US, they are servants who provide supplies, tech and labor for the US Of A.

So now they are looking at alternatives, even though everyone will still be tied to the US for many more years to come.