Opportunity to update the CC-150 fleet?

[suffolkowner]

So replacing five aircraft that are nearly 30 years old with more, more capable aircraft?

6 planes with way more fuel,cargo, personnel capacity with one of them set up for VIP by the looks of it.

 

[Weinie]

So replacing five aircraft that are nearly 30 years old with more, more capable aircraft?

Show me the money, Jerry.

 

[Underway]

From the internal news feed:

The Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project is making progress

The Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project has taken an initial step towards the replacement of the CC-150 Polaris fleet with the procurement of the first two of up to six aircraft.

Canada has awarded a contract to International AirFinance Corporation for the procurement of two used Airbus A330-200 aircraft, and is preparing for delivery of the aircraft to Canada in winter 2023.

These first two aircraft, originally manufactured in 2015, will retain their commercial cabin configuration for an interim period to perform cargo, troop, and passenger airlift operations before undergoing modification by Airbus Defence and Space to be delivered in their final STTC fleet configurations. With this procurement of used commercial aircraft, Canada is employing an approach taken by several allied militaries who also purchased used A330-200 aircraft for conversion to support their operations. The strategy allows for the procurement of modern capability while increasing value for money.

The Integrated Project Team has been working with the single qualified supplier, Airbus Defence and Space, over the past year and anticipates awarding the main acquisition contract for new aircraft and all aircraft modifications in winter 2023. At the same time, progress is being made towards shaping the long-term in-service support approach which will be sourced through a competitive procurement process with industry engagement planned for late summer 2022.

With the future conversion of the aircraft to their final STTC configurations, the project will deliver an enhanced capability to the Royal Canadian Air Force in the area of air-to-air refuelling, strategic airlift, medical evacuations and strategic Government of Canada transportation.

So question then. A330-200 can carry what exactly? Not C-17 type heavy equipment but lots of pallets of smaller things I assume? And of course people.

 

[Underway]

Answering my own question, seems like a pretty large aircraft. From Wikipedia and a nice picture os a potential layout for pax.

The A330 MRTT has a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (245,000 lb) without the use of additional fuel tanks, leaving space for 45,000 kg (99,000 lb) of additional cargo.

The A330 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single-class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. Available configurations include 300 passengers in a single class and 266 passengers in two classes. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions; up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. The main deck cargo configuration allows carriage of standard commercial containers and pallets, military, ISO and NATO pallets (including seats) and containers, and military equipment and other large items which are loaded through a cargo door. Like the A330-200, the A330 MRTT includes two lower deck cargo compartments (forward and aft) and a bulk area capability. The cargo hold has been modified to be able to transport up to eight military pallets in addition to civilian unit load devices (ULDs).

An optional crew rest compartment (CRC) can be installed in the forward cabin, accommodating a spare crew to increase time available for a mission. The passenger cabin of the A330 MRTT can be provided with a set of removable airstairs to enable embarkation and disembarkation when jet bridges or ground support equipment are not available.[

 

[PuckChaser]

Airbus has converted civilian aircraft before, RAAF have 2 of them. Good deal to replace those garbage Polaris quickly, although I bet you 1 of them will be in heavy use as CANFORCE 1 so the CAF won't see it.

 

[OldSolduer]

Airbus has converted civilian aircraft before, RAAF have 2 of them. Good deal to replace those garbage Polaris quickly, although I bet you 1 of them will be in heavy use as CANFORCE 1 so the CAF won't see it.

CANFORCE 1? Please explain. Thank you.

 

[kev994]

CANFORCE 1? Please explain. Thank you.

Prime Minister’s plane uses this call sign.

 

[dapaterson]

VIP transportation is a RCAF task.

 

[OldSolduer]

Prime Minister’s plane uses this call sign.

Thank you!!!

 

[rmc_wannabe]

Prime Minister’s plane uses this call sign.

I thought it was RCAF001, but interesting.

 

[OldSolduer]

I thought it was RCAF001, but interesting.

I could think up a few other names for the current incumbent....

 

[Dana381]

Does the Polaris use roll on/roll off seating like this 737 combi? If they do does that cut down the ammount of seats they can fit in the aircraft? Will the A330-200 use this type of seating when configured for the RCAF?

I ask because I seem to remember seeing seats like this in a wharehouse on a Truth, Duty Valour episode.

 

[GR66]

Answering my own question, seems like a pretty large aircraft. From Wikipedia and a nice picture os a potential layout for pax.

The A330 MRTT has a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (245,000 lb) without the use of additional fuel tanks, leaving space for 45,000 kg (99,000 lb) of additional cargo.

The A330 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single-class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. Available configurations include 300 passengers in a single class and 266 passengers in two classes. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions; up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. The main deck cargo configuration allows carriage of standard commercial containers and pallets, military, ISO and NATO pallets (including seats) and containers, and military equipment and other large items which are loaded through a cargo door. Like the A330-200, the A330 MRTT includes two lower deck cargo compartments (forward and aft) and a bulk area capability. The cargo hold has been modified to be able to transport up to eight military pallets in addition to civilian unit load devices (ULDs).

An optional crew rest compartment (CRC) can be installed in the forward cabin, accommodating a spare crew to increase time available for a mission. The passenger cabin of the A330 MRTT can be provided with a set of removable airstairs to enable embarkation and disembarkation when jet bridges or ground support equipment are not available.[

View attachment 72014

Perfect. Double the order to 12 and stand up a Reserve Squadron in Trenton. Should be lots of commercial airline pilots current on the A330. The extra strategic lift and AAR capability would be a huge boost to our side in any conflict worldwide. And as a plus for the Liberals they don't even have guns on them!

 

[YZT580]

6 planes with way more fuel,cargo, personnel capacity with one of them set up for VIP by the looks of it.

So why a minimum 15 months for delivery of an already in service aircraft that, as I read the article will still have to be modified. Should be able to take possession next week

 

[kev994]

Perfect. Double the order to 12 and stand up a Reserve Squadron in Trenton. Should be lots of commercial airline pilots current on the A330. The extra strategic lift and AAR capability would be a huge boost to our side in any conflict worldwide. And as a plus for the Liberals they don't even have guns on them!

Those pilots would likely already be maxed out on hours for the month and if they’re not then OT at AC pays better.

 

[don3wing]

So why a minimum 15 months for delivery of an already in service aircraft that, as I read the article will still have to be modified. Should be able to take possession next week

The International AirFinance Corporation is an aircraft leasing company and I imagine there will be a waiting time before the current lease expires.

 

[MilEME09]

Perfect. Double the order to 12 and stand up a Reserve Squadron in Trenton. Should be lots of commercial airline pilots current on the A330. The extra strategic lift and AAR capability would be a huge boost to our side in any conflict worldwide. And as a plus for the Liberals they don't even have guns on them!

Weekend EXs to fly troops over and cargo, bring back service air on the regular

 

[GR66]

Weekend EXs to fly troops over and cargo, bring back service air on the regular

Even just to have them available in reserve. Keep them maintained and rotate the active 1/2 fleet to reduce overall flight hours on the airframes. They are there (along with Reserve pilots with currency) in case of a conflict or natural disaster, etc.

 

[SupersonicMax]

So why a minimum 15 months for delivery of an already in service aircraft that, as I read the article will still have to be modified. Should be able to take possession next week

They will be modified before we take delivery.

 

[Rjgillies]

Perfect. Double the order to 12 and stand up a Reserve Squadron in Trenton. Should be lots of commercial airline pilots current on the A330. The extra strategic lift and AAR capability would be a huge boost to our side in any conflict worldwide. And as a plus for the Liberals they don't even have guns on them!

Would a Reserve squadron or separate flights adjacent to major commercial bases such as Calgary or Vancouver make more sense? More flight crew and maintainers, closer to Cold Lake and Comox.