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FWSAR (CC130H, Buffalo, C27J, V22): Status & Possibilities

Question?  Why would there be a document problem with a plane in production forever by the biggest manufacturer of planes in the world?

It can't be a "French Language" problem as Airbus is basically a French company.  I know the plane is made in Spain but really?  Could it be the special equipment just for Canada? 

It just sounds super amateurish from a first class company and it's not their first rodeo.
 
Spencer100 said:
Question?  Why would there be a document problem with a plane in production forever by the biggest manufacturer of planes in the world?

It can't be a "French Language" problem as Airbus is basically a French company.  I know the plane is made in Spain but really?  Could it be the special equipment just for Canada? 

It just sounds super amateurish from a first class company and it's not their first rodeo.

Oops my English bias coming out.  Could it be with the English version?
 
Brazil just got theirs!


https://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/207593/brazilian-air-force-receives-second-c_295-sar.html
 
Canada has purchased the latest variant of the -295, no other operator has our flight deck. 
 
Irish procuring the C295:

https://www.facebook.com/IrlAirCorps/posts/3316985611662372

https://twitter.com/IrishAirCorps/status/1205530881751998469

https://twitter.com/GOCAirCorps/status/1205530636204810248

https://twitter.com/AirbusDefence/status/1206493353589776385
 
From the CAF FB Page:  There's several good pictures of her there as well.

Canada’s first Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue aircraft was formally accepted in Spain on December 18.

We are excited about the addition of the CC-295 to our fleet of search and rescue aircraft. This first aircraft will support further qualification work and initial operational testing and evaluation by Royal Canadian Air Force crews in Spain. It’s expected that this work will be completed by mid-2020, after which the aircraft will be on its way to Comox, B.C. to begin the fleet transition from the Buffalo aircraft.

In the meantime, we expect a training aircraft to arrive in Comox, B.C., in January. This aircraft will be a valuable training device for our maintenance crews. It will be disassembled upon arrival, and partially reassembled inside our new FWSAR training centre.

The new fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft will carry out critical, life-saving search and rescue missions across Canada’s vast and challenging territory, including the Arctic.
 
I saw one of these when I was taking off from SVQ the other day.  Unfortunately, too dark/no time for a picture.
 
Old ones breaking down.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/aircraft-breakdowns-refuelling-problems-hit-military-search-and-rescue-missions/ar-BB10WTv5?ocid=spartanntp

I thought one of the new birds was already in Canada
 
Spencer100 said:
Old ones breaking down.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/aircraft-breakdowns-refuelling-problems-hit-military-search-and-rescue-missions/ar-BB10WTv5?ocid=spartanntp

I thought one of the new birds was already in Canada

Yes and that one was flown to the school, disassembled and to be used as a trainer. It is not the first operational aircraft
 
Spencer100 said:
I thought one of the new birds was already in Canada
No trained crews to fly them.  It will be be some time before we are able to fight this aircraft operationally.  All part of the plan to replace them, it just takes more than just rubber on the tarmac.
 
Airbus Defence Twitter

4 in a row! The Canadian  #FWSAR program continues marking milestones with the 1st 4 operational #C295 already painted and ready to fly!

 

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Looking good!  Glad there getting in the line.
 
Am I the only one that feels this aircraft could have been utilized in a different, more important role?
This could have been used as an ISTAR aircraft of some kind, something we need and don't have (aside from the 3 King Air 350ERs).

It drives me nuts that the RCAF prioritizes domestic SAR. We don't even have a modern fighter fleet to meet the basic requirements of NORAD for the defense of the northern hemisphere nor do we have close support helicopters.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Canadian Coast Guard Bell 412EPs would be a more capable SAR aircraft if they were simply outfitted with a SAR hoist opposed to the CH-146 Griffon.

Am I the only one who thinks the RCAF should slowly phase out domestic SAR?
 
That discussion has been kicked around over several threads, it's doable and similar was done in 1960's. However I suspect DND does not want to lose it as it buys brownie points with the taxpayer, which helps when DND must beg with the Treasury Board for funds for other stuff.
 
QuietSpike2020 said:
This could have been used as an ISTAR aircraft of some kind, something we need and don't have (aside from the 3 King Air 350ERs).

Ya, if only we had an platform that could've been deployed to something like OP IMPACT to do deliberate/dynamic targeting/POL/etc tasks...

Unless...

881 sorties flown by a CP-140 Aurora. It flew between October 30, 2014 and December 11, 2017.  (Iraq and Syria)

* I know, you probably mean a dedicated platform. 

Question; what would you replace the Buff's and H Herc's with?
 
New FWSAR birds arriving in Comox.

First CC-295 FWSAR aircraft arrives at 19 Wing Comox

The first of 16 new Canadian Armed Forces CC-295 fixed-wing search and rescue (FWSAR) aircraft has arrived at 19 Wing Comox, B.C.

Though the Department of National Defence has yet to make an official announcement, a spokesperson confirmed the arrival of the CC-295 aircraft at its home base on Vancouver Island. The plane was spotted refuelling at 3 Wing Bagotville, Que., on Sept. 16 as it travelled from Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Spain.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) accepted the first operational aircraft in Seville last December following test and evaluation by members of the search and rescue flight at 434 Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron.

A maintenance training variant of the aircraft was delivered to Comox in February by an Airbus flight crew and will be disassembled and reassembled inside 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron’s new training centre. This will allow technicians to gain hands-on experience with parts and systems installation before working on operational aircraft.

“With the arrival of this aircraft in Canada, several key activities at CFB Comox will begin to support the transition of the Canadian fixed-wing search and rescue responsibility to the CC-295,” the spokesperson said in an email to Skies. “This includes the start of aircrew training, operational testing, and the opening of the new training facility.”

The CC-295 is replacing six CC-115 Buffalos that entered service almost 50 years ago and several of the 12 CC-130 H-model Hercules aircraft that perform a search and rescue role. Airbus was awarded contracts valued at up to $4.7 billion in December 2016 for acquisition and in-service support.

Production was disrupted in the spring by the COVID-19 pandemic, but has since resumed, DND confirmed. Aircraft are expected to roll off the production line at an average rate of five per year until mid-2022. The final aircraft should be delivered to the RCAF by that fall.

Transition to the new fleet will begin with 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing.

“Each of the aircraft (including the new search and rescue equipment on board and communications systems) must complete Initial Operational Capability preparations and testing to be ready for service,” said the spokesperson. “This means passing all tests, evaluations, and inspections, and includes that our people have been trained to operate and maintain the aircraft, allowing them to assume search and rescue responsibilities with the CC-295 aircraft. With better knowledge of this required work and the added impacts of COVID-19, we now expect to start assuming search and rescue responsibilities in 2022.”

While the Air Force has yet to give the bright yellow aircraft its moniker, Canadians were asked to vote on one of five potential names in 2019: Canso II, Guardian, Iris, Kingfisher and Turnstone.

https://www.skiesmag.com/news/first-cc295-fwsar-aircraft-arrives-19-wing-comox-rcaf/
 

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Comox Heritage Air Park gets a Buffalo.

https://www.facebook.com/ComoxAirForceMuseum/videos/419061439099459/
 
I remember watching SAR Techs jump out of these at CFB Summerside when I was in Grade 1;  that would have been 1975-76 - a testament to how long the Buffalo served Canada and Canadians for.  :salute:

457 is the aircraft featured on the RCAF website as well.  http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-current/cc-115.page
 
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