AIRLIFT FOR THE CANADIAN FORCES
AFAC POSITION PAPER 01/2006
Background
· Airlift – both tactical and strategic — is a critical capability. The ongoing need for it has been recently revalidated in current operations (particularly in Afghanistan), in the Defence Policy Statement, and in the CDS’s transformation vision.
· Problems associated with the employment of airlift assets have compounded in recent years due to declining availability, the need to regularly deploy tactical aircraft for extended periods, the ongoing high priority requirement to support search and rescue operations, and dependence on charter arrangements for most strategic cargo airlift. In addition to maintenance challenges, the ability to train new crews or upgrade the qualifications of others has been difficult.
· The Hercules tactical airlift fleet numbers 32 aircraft, 9 of which are relatively new H-model aircraft (5 H90 models with air-to-air refuelling capability, 2 H90 stretched models, and 2 H84s). The remaining 23 are older (19 E-models and 4 H73 models). Canada owns the worldwide high-time military aircraft and is now having to retire some because the viability and cost of supporting the older aircraft is becoming irreconcilable. As of Feb 06, two of the thirty-two aircraft have been retired. Projections call for an ongoing retirement rate of approximately 2 aircraft per year.
· The C-130E/H fleet is in crisis. It has become increasingly more difficult and expensive to operate and maintain – due to age and failing reliability. This prevailing condition is operationally and fiscally unacceptable.
· Generic strategic airlift is accomplished by ‘misemploying’ the Hercules and by the fleet of five Airbus A310 aircraft. While the latter are truly strategic, and have a passenger and/or cargo capability (in addition to two being fitted for air-to-air refuelling), they cannot handle outsize cargo or vehicles.
AFAC Position
· The vital Canadian tactical airlift capability must be addressed on an urgent basis to ensure that it will be sustained in the longer term. Canada needs this capability to enable the Canadian Forces to perform their mission. Overall, the serviceability of the Hercules fleet is not sufficient to properly support the current or anticipated needs of the CF. Corrective action needs to be taken on an urgent basis.
· Adequate funding must be made available to support and maintain the current fleet, recognizing that some aircraft are simply too old to continue to be flown. The long term solution has to be to replace the older aircraft – it is the most responsible and cost effective approach to the problem.
· It is recognized that recapitalization of the Hercules fleet has been unaffordable in the past, with budget limitations and other priorities. However, the situation has become so critical that a Hercules replacement project must be given top priority now.
· Relief for several of the Hercules can also be achieved through the introduction of a new Fixed Wing Search and Rescue aircraft, but this will only be a partial solution, in that many of the older aircraft will still need to be retained.
· While purchase of new aircraft is the desired approach, the requirement could be met through the lease of new aircraft if it is necessary to spread the cost over a larger number of years.
· While useful and sustainable, the A310 fleet is not adequate to meet Canada’s strategic airlift needs. A lasting solution needs to be found to ensure appropriate access to strategic airlift through purchase/lease and/or charter. Operation of strategic aircraft can contribute to offloading Hercules airlift taskings.
· Whatever the approach to the acquisition of new aircraft, the related Industrial and Regional Benefits package will be significant for Canadian industry. Additionally, the longer term support of the aircraft in Canada will create major industrial opportunities.
Messages
· Tactical and strategic airlift are critical Canadian Forces capabilities that will be needed for the indefinite future.
· The C130 Hercules tactical airlift fleet is experiencing considerable difficulty due to limited availability and reliability of the aircraft, increasing costs of maintaining older aircraft and risk in support to operations. This situation needs to be addressed aggressively now. Ensuring adequate repair and maintenance funding for the existing fleet is just a first step.
· The Canadian airlift capability needs to be addressed to develop a balanced air mobility solution. Consideration needs to be given to the provision of tactical and strategic airlift aircraft, along with a fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft, in order to provide the most cost and operationally effective solution to the CF requirement. This can alleviate pressure on the current Hercules fleet and will enable the CF to deploy personnel and equipment rapidly over long distances, domestically or internationally.
· Addressing this situation presents an excellent opportunity for the Canadian Government to reinforce its support for the Canadian Forces by taking decisive action to address a well-known, longstanding deficiency.
· Action now will be good for Canadians, good for the CF, and will present opportunities for Canadian industry.
Developed by: Aviation Affairs Committee
Point of Contact:
Marc Terreau, terreau@sympatico.ca, (613) 837-8746
