[bootlegga]

Now that the Tories are in, we are supposed to be getting at least three heavy lift aircraft. So which one do you like and why?

I didn't include the AN-70 in the poll because the DND has already disqualified it.

I myself like the C-17, even though it is far more expensive than every other aircraft.



[web]http://www.sfu.ca/casr/bg-airlift.htm[/web]

[hamiltonguyo]

depends...if we can westernize the IL well then I'd go for that (we can't afford alot) And I wouldn't go for the C-17 unless I had to (because of the price) which leaves well the A400m which to be honest I would like to see actually built before we sign on to anything. Well thats just my opinion...

[Streaker]

IL-76MF. Most bang for the buck.

[dgthe3]

If only it were possible to call up Bombardier and ask them to design one for the Canadian armed forces, but there is not nearly enough money to do that for such a small number of aircraft.

Well, looking at the options, i wouldn't go for the modified 747 because the things are used and obsolete passenger aircraft, which have gone through thousands of pressure cycles. I don't like the idea of waiting fo the airbus either, brand new designs cost alot and are less than perfectly reliable. Political considerations almost rule out buying a Soviet design (yes they were designed by the USSR, as far as i know). That leaves the C-17 which is a good aircraft, though slightly expensive. But as the saying goes, of quality, reliability and low cost, pick 2 because you will never get all three.

[hamiltonguyo]

what political consideration? whats wrong with buying russian? the americans might be happy to get a hand on some russiasn hardwear and tear it apart. Besides that the cold war is over and americans are more concerned with the middle east and china than with russia.

[xerxes]

Now I may be mistaken, but is there not a new, updated C-130 variant available?

[Arctic_Menace]

xerxes xerxes:

Now I may be mistaken, but is there not a new, updated C-130 variant available?

Yes there is, but it does not have the cargo capacity of a C-17, which is why Canada should buy the C-17. Yes, it's expensive, but isn't everything nowadays?

[Wullu]

xerxes xerxes:

Now I may be mistaken, but is there not a new, updated C-130 variant available?

Yupper xerxes, but the 130 is a tactical airlift platform and there is a plan I think to replace our 130s but the aircraft here are strategic airlift. Get a few of this type to allow us to forward deploy large amounts of personnel and material quickly..ie DART etc. The 130s could then take care of theatre airlift needs.

[Arctic_Menace]

Wullu Wullu:

xerxes xerxes:

Now I may be mistaken, but is there not a new, updated C-130 variant available?

Yupper xerxes, but the 130 is a tactical airlift platform and there is a plan I think to replace our 130s but the aircraft here are strategic airlift. Get a few of this type to allow us to forward deploy large amounts of personnel and material quickly..ie DART etc. The 130s could then take care of theatre airlift needs.

Spot on there bro.

[xerxes]

Thank you for the clarification AM and Wullu.

[Arctic_Menace]

No problem.

[bootlegga]

Actually, the A400M is only about 20-25% bigger than the C-130J Herc, but it has a longer range and bigger dimensions, allowing it to be used as a strategic airlifter, even though in my mind, it really isn't as it's too small.

Whereas the IL-76 and C-17 can carry the DART in two loads, the A400M needs many more. The advantage with the A400M is that we can afford more (using them as tactical and strategic airlift), so in the end it might be a better buy. Especially because then we'd only have to operate one type of plane instead of two, easing maintenance and training issues.

And there have been a lot of issues regarding the C-130J anyways, so we might not even buy them for tactical lift.

C130J

[dgthe3]

I know that the cold war is over, but old feelings tend to die hard. Like i said, its a Soviet Design, not a Russian one. As far a general capability, a big square box doesn't car if the cargo hold is 20 ft or 6 m wide. But politicians do. Personally i like the Russians, but their export market tends to not be our allies.

[Nate_7]

I believe (and always have believed) that we should get the C-17. It is expensive, but we aren't exaclty scrunging for crumbs anymore. And, in the military world, you get what you pay for, and last time I checked it was in the government's interest to upgrade our forces with the best quality equipment.

In regards to tactical airlift (going a little off topic here) I think we should up the grits' proposed amount of 16 -130Js and purchase around 20-25. Why do we need more Hercs if we are buying heavy-lift aircraft? because we're going to need alot of airframes to support our forces in the future, I'm thinking the Arctic in particular. What isin't commonly known is that every single week a Herc from Trenton makes a flight to CFS Alert to supply our forces there. Now just think of how many flights a week we'll have to make to the north if we open a new, larger base in the arctic?

Nate

[-MC-]

The C-17A is the best strategic aircraft out there, and our forces deserve the best. Compliment the C-17As with some C-103Js, and were set. I'd like to see some C-27Js as well to replace the twin otters and take over the search and rescue role.

Just a thought, but it would be neat to have a C-27J or one of our older C-130H to become the snowbirds official transport aircraft.