CF-18 Replacement

This is an update to a blog post I've written in 2016, while managing my Facebook Page Military Federation back then.

There are a number of options the RCAF can consider when it comes to a fighter that can successfully replace its ageing CF-18 fleet. Besides the Super Hornet and F-35, there are actually other options that Canada can consider looking into. The thing is, not all of them are suited for the RCAF and in this article, we go through the possible options besides the Super Hornet and F-35.

Boeing Advanced Super Hornet

At the moment, this is the most advanced Super Hornet variant the Seattle based aerospace giant is offering.

1. Saab JAS-39 Gripen

Brazil is currently the only export customer of the most advanced variant of the Gripen.

Country: Sweden

Price range: US$ 65 million and above (Gripen E/F).

The Saab JAS-39 Gripen is one of the most affordable modern fighter aircraft in the world. Besides its affordability, the Saab machine sports a small airframe with a high level of performance. Capable of speeds of Mach 2 and having the ability to supercruise (only in E/F variant) and most importantly take off and land on unprepared short runways, the aircraft is idea for the RCAF. However, it is single engined and despite the safety record of the General Electric F414/404 engines, the possibility of engine failure cannot be ruled out. In all, the Swedish made fighter meets many major requirements except in the arwa area of redundancy (aircraft being single engine). In the area of flight performance, it is by far better than aircraft like the Super Hornet and CF-18 by a significant margin. In the end, it still loses out because it has only one instead of two engines.

Brazilian Air Force Gripen E

It is worth knowing that the Saab Gripen is able to fire the latest MBDA Meteor BVRAAM. The Meteor is a beyond visual range missile with the latest propulsion technology. Definitely better than what the RCAF have, which is the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-7 Sparrow.

Swedish Gripen C test-firing the MBDA Meteor BVRAAM.

The Gripen is designed to have a low cost of operation and high combat readiness.

This chart speaks for itself.

2. Dassault Rafale Country: France

Price range: US$ 90 million and above

As we know that French is one of the country’s languages, the Rafale seems to be a good option for a change after such a long period of time using aircraft made from the United States. However, there are some incompatibilities here and there, especially with existing hardware like the weapons and munitions. It is worth knowing that the French made multirole fighter isn't able to carry the famous AIM-9 Sidewinder heat seeking IR missile, which Canada has large numbers of it within its inventory.

The RBE2 is a Passive Electronically Scanned Array Radar, which is more advanced than many of those (Mechanically Scanned) in today’s fighters. An AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) variant (RBE2-AA) will be in service soon.

Putting aside the obvious incompatibility problems, one can't deny that the Rafale is an excellent all round platform, capable of performing many types of combat well, ranging from long range strike to combat air patrol. Moreover, the Rafale has a huge carrying capacity!

With this configuration, the Rafale could simultaneously perform air to air and air to ground missions with ease. With the AESA Radar on the way, things will only get easier!

3. Eurofighter Typhoon

Country: UK, Spain, Italy, Germany

Price range: Around US$ 100 million or more.

The Typhoon is currently in service with the air forces of Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Qatar will be receiving its Typhoons soon. The consortium (UK, Spain, Italy, Germany) made Eurofighter Typhoon is currently one of the most advanced multirole fighters in the world. It sports many cutting-edge features and coupled with excellent flying characteristics, The Royal Canadian Air Force will have serious firepower if they decide to go for the Typhoon. The cockpit together instrument panels are highly advanced, so does its titanium made airframe. The latest Tranche 3 variant will feature an AESA Radar as one of the many improvements to the aircraft. A possibility of adding conformal fuel tanks to improve range is on the cards. It has practically everything and meets the basic requirements of the RCAF, however it comes at an astronomical cost (both acquisition and operational). The Eurofighter Typhoon costs more than the Rafale, Gripen and Super Hornet to operate. It isn’t just the acquisition cost, but also the operational costs. Of course, it be a gamble that will ultimately pay off as the Typhoon is superior in aerodynamic performance than many of its counterpart including the Super Hornet.

Eurofighter Typhoon mock-up with external Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) at the 2019 Abbotsford Airshow. The CFTs will offer more range without compromising the overall performance of the aircraft.

The CFT equipped Typhoon undergoing wind tunnel tests as a scale model.

Who knows this might happen?

4. Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon

Country: United States

Recently, Lockheed Martin offered the Indian Air Force their latest F-16 as the former British colony look to replace their ageing MiG-21 and MiG-27 fleet. The F-16 is indeed affordable and not just that, a proven design that is effective in combat and reliable. However, it is worth knowing that the aircraft is reaching the end of its growth and development. Also being single-engined, the Viper doesn’t fit the requirements of the RCAF. As we know, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 is a proven design, indeed a more proven than the Swedish made Gripen.

Lockheed is offering India an advanced variant of the F-16, designated F-21.

5. Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle

Country: United States

Boeing is offering an upgrade package for the F-15 which will see them be in service until at least 2040. If you want to find out more about the F-15 and its latest news, check it out at the link given: http://www.boeing.com/defense/f-15-eagle/

The F-15 Eagle , like the Fighting Falcon, has been around for at least three decades and has been in combat and has also proven to be a reliable design. However, it has also reached the end of its growth and development. On the other hand, the F-15s have been successful in the export market and some of the most advanced variants are operated outside the United States. Currently, the F-15SA of Saudi Arabia is the most advanced; it's soon to be dethroned by the newer F-15QA and F-15EX.

The USAF placed an order for 8 of the highly advanced F-15EX in March 2019. 144 of such aircraft are planned to be purchased.

If this aircraft is selected as a replacement for the CF-18s, the RCAF will benefit hugely from its speed, range, advanced avionics and most importantly it's payload. With the latest AMBER weapons rack, the F-15EX will be able to carry as many as twenty two air to air missiles. However, the aircraft's procurement costs is likely to deter the RCAF's top brass from making any considerations.

6. Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor

Country: United States

The F-22 and F-35 will become the USAF’s new hi-lo mix of fighters. Highly advanced, the F-22 became the first 5th generation fighter aircraft to enter service anywhere in the world. The Raptor is an quantum leap in fighter aircraft development as it sports stealthiness, advanced avionics and most importantly high aerodynamic performance. In theory, putting its astronomical cost aside, as well as its inability for it to be exported, it fits the bill for the RCAF. The F-22 has two engines and the range and endurance to patrol the vast expanse of Canadian territory. It is also able to carry a decent payload (two AIM-9 Sidewinders and six AIM-120 AMRAAM) while being stealthy. Imagine that the RCAF has a fleet them, it would be a massive upgrade in the Air Force’s capabilities. On 22 September 2014, F-22s performed the type’s first combat sorties during the American led intervention in Syria.

Computer Generated Image of a USAF F-22A Raptor firing the proposed AIM-120 AMRAAM replacement.

In all, what Canada needs is essentially an aircraft that is modern, up to date, and capable of defending its vast skies. Something twin engine, with a high level of combat endurance are the two main requirements. The question now is, with the F-35 being rejected, which aircraft will be the successor to the CF-18?

Written by "~Maverick"