Canadian future strategic tanker and transport capability

The Canadian government has sent an invitation to qualify for companies interested to gain a contract for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) future strategic transport and tanker capability. The project is aimed to replace the current fleet of five CC-150 Polaris (Airbus A310) transports, two of which have a tanker capacity. The air-to-air tankers are required to bring a flight of four CF-188 Hornets across the Atlantic without a making a fuel-stop. The CC-150 fleet is operated by 437 squadron, part of 8 Wing Trenton (Ont.).

Understandably, the new tankers are required to be able to refuel whatever type of fighter aircraft is chosen under Canada’s Future Fighter Capability Project, which is currently running and for which a contract will be awarded in about two years. Strategic (medical) airlift is another task to be undertaken by the new fleet, as is VIP-transport of Canada’s prime-minister. The current Canadian One, Polaris CC-150 serial 15001 is under repair after being substantially damaged in a hangar incident at Trenton, which left 15003 to take up temporary duties for VIP-transport. Logical contenders for the RCAF future strategic transport and tanker capability project are the USA built Boeing KC-46 Pegasus and the French built Airbus A330 MRTT.

CC-150s are instrumental to deploy RCAF fighters overseas, as demonstrated by the current deployment of six CF-188s to Romania to enhance capabilities in NATO’s South East area of responsibility.

Photo by Felix Martina