DWCAce 19 Posted July 19, 2010 From AvWeb: http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1677-full.html#202891 Canada has committed to buying 65 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to replace its 30-year-old fleet of about 120 CF-18 fighters. The aircraft order itself is worth $9 billion, including training, new equipment for air bases and simulators, and a maintenance contract with Lockheed Martin will push the total cost to about $16 billion. Canada is one of eight countries taking part in the development of the aircraft and some of the money spent on the aircraft will go indirectly to Canadian companies. Nevertheless, the choice of the Lightning II and the way in which it was chosen ignited political debate in Canada that could result in an election if the current Conservative government's political rivals dig in their heels. The opposition parties are particularly upset that there was no tender process and the contract was awarded directly to Lockheed Martin. Canada bought new C-17 and C-130 transport aircraft through a similar process in 2006. The current structure of the Canadian government means that the government's decision could be quashed if all three opposition political parties vote against it in Canada's parliament. A vote like that would bring down the government and force an election. But it's not just political opposition facing the purchase. Canadian media commentary is full of criticism of the aircraft itself, saying it's an unnecessarily complex airplane whose short range will be an issue in its primary role of long-range sovereignty patrols. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted July 19, 2010 Uh, sorry, but the range can't be worse than the Hornets they have now! Besides, doesn't Canada still have some 707 tankers, or did they get retired? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast 153 Posted July 19, 2010 Yes the Boeings are retired and replaced by CC150 Polaris (A-310MRTT to everyone else). They have a pair of them configured for Tanking duties designated CC-150T. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokey799 1 Posted July 22, 2010 I've been watching this for a while and can't express any real surprise The only issue I see is range. Anybody know the brochure range for JSF? Looks like a nifty bit of kit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DWCAce 19 Posted July 23, 2010 Wikipedia has the range at 1,200nm on internal fuel, giving you a rough 6500nm for the combat radius. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rambler 1-1 9 Posted July 24, 2010 YES! F-35s! SHINY NEW FIGHTER JETS! HOORAYY!!!! I'll bet they end up at Alert Bay. Do Lockheeds work in cold weather? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted July 25, 2010 The equipment, yes. The employees, no. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shotdown 8 Posted July 26, 2010 Wikipedia has the range at 1,200nm on internal fuel, giving you a rough 6500nm for the combat radius. 6500 nm? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted July 26, 2010 Too many zeros... FC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
