CH-146 Griffon

[Good2Golf]

Frankly if I had a way back machine - I would have jumped in with you can thrown someone out of the bird before the Blackhawk buy got squashed...

I’d be up for that!!

 

[MilEME09]

Canada spins up Griffon replacement plan in move towards ‘balanced fleet concept’

Canada is likely to replace its ageing Bell CH-146 Griffons with multiple new rotorcraft types as it seeks a more "balanced fleet" to address its tactical transport needs.

www.flightglobal.com

 

[Maxman1]

The AW149 seems like the best option. It is likely to be chosen for the New Medium Helicopter program for the RAF.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Did no one see that the ‘Griffon life extension program’ will only keep them operating until 2031 but the initial operating capability for the replacement is set for 2033?!?
So what’s going to be used from 2031 to 2033?

 

[GR66]

Did no one see that the ‘Griffon life extension program’ will only keep them operating until 2031 but the initial operating capability for the replacement is set for 2033?!?
So what’s going to be used from 2031 to 2033?

 

[MilEME09]

Did no one see that the ‘Griffon life extension program’ will only keep them operating until 2031 but the initial operating capability for the replacement is set for 2033?!?
So what’s going to be used from 2031 to 2033?

I saw that as well, a two year gab, I'm also curious because it sounds like we might buy multiple aircraft not just 1. Especially for light attack

 

[KevinB]

Did no one see that the ‘Griffon life extension program’ will only keep them operating until 2031 but the initial operating capability for the replacement is set for 2033?!?
So what’s going to be used from 2031 to 2033?

I doubt the GLLE will only have them flying till 2031 -- you don't invest money into something like that for only a 6 year return on it.

I suspect the Griffons will be flying (in further reduced capacity) well into 2040...

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I expect the Griffon to follow the timelines of the SeaKing.

 

[MilEME09]

I expect the Griffon to follow the timelines of the SeaKing.

Depends if the airforce gets there way, or not we are so early in the project, the discussion right now is single platform or multiple platforms from what ive heard, if multi, we could see a phased approach to retirement.

 

[OldSolduer]

So what’s going to be used from 2031 to 2033?

The six by six truck chopper.

 

[KevinB]

The six by six truck chopper.

The ML'oCopter rusted out before the Griffons will

Not sure what the current avg blade hour is on the fleet, but 408 never did much with theirs when I was in Edmonton, or Calgary.

 

[OldSolduer]

The ML'oCopter rusted out before the Griffons will

Not sure what the current avg blade hour is on the fleet, but 408 never did much with theirs when I was in Edmonton, or Calgary.

We used to run the Basic Winter Warfare in the late 70s for 1 Signals Squadron in Calgary. Being in the Trg Office and such I had to draft a message to 10 TAG requesting the use of a Chinook to pick up the troops - me included. We always got a Chinook ride home, rear ramp down and the scenery was absolutely amazing.

 

[KevinB]

We used to run the Basic Winter Warfare in the late 70s for 1 Signals Squadron in Calgary. Being in the Trg Office and such I had to draft a message to 10 TAG requesting the use of a Chinook to pick up the troops - me included. We always got a Chinook ride home, rear ramp down and the scenery was absolutely amazing.

My only Canadian Hook rides were in Pet with 450 in the 80's and 1990 - all were with a C-1 or L-5 slung.
I have a lot more time in Sea Knight's and MH-47's than RCAF Hooks, and only got to jump out of the 46, we had a bad weather day when I was lined up to do some Hook jumps in Bragg.

Come to think of it, other than some short flights to drop us off for Recce stuff in Suffield I'm pretty sure my only Griffon time is Hollywood jumps on Buxton

 

[Rifleman62]

RWpgRif flew to/back and around Shilo in Voyageur CH 113A helicopters around 1964. The story was we were the first to use tactically.

RCASC pilots and crew (Army uniforms of course).

Got some photos somewhere.