Guide to military aircraft you’ll see with YK’s new upgrades

By 2040, the Department of National Defence hopes to have a modernized and upgraded military presence in Yellowknife with extended airport runways, more aircraft parking space and more hangars.

Looking to spend $5 to $8 billion in the next 15 years, DND says it is trying to strengthen Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and northern defence infrastructure in the face of growing geopolitical and security concerns in the region.

The coming upgrades could also change the kinds of aircraft you see in the skies above Yellowknife.

LCol Steve Thompson said colleagues used to joke about “flying yesterday’s aircraft tomorrow” as he walked people through the changes ahead during a presentation at April’s Northern Air Transport Association conference in the city.

Now, he said, “we’re flying tomorrow’s aircraft today.”

Here’s a guide to some of the military aircraft you may see more of in Yellowknife. Some are already fairly frequent visitors. Some will be new.

Fighter jets

F-35 Lightning: Part of the larger Future Fighter Capability Project, the Lightning – the F-35, sometimes referred to as the CF-35 – is part of the fighter fleet developed by Lockheed Martin.

Having highly advanced stealth and sensor systems alongside supersonic speed capabilities, the Lightning is described by its manufacturer as most advanced fighter ever built.

Canada is not the only country operating the Lightning in the Arctic. The United States, Denmark, and Norway are doing the same, and the jet is quickly becoming the backbone of Nato air power and operations.

CF-188 Hornet: Although the F-35 Lightning replaces the CF-188 Hornet as the leading fighter jet, the Hornet – commonly called the CF-18 – is a multi-role fighter aircraft proficient air defence, ground attack and tactical support roles.

The Hornet has been the Royal Canadian Air Force’s main fighter since 1982 and is designed to attack both aerial and ground targets.

Tankers

CC-330 Husky: Based on the Airbus A-330, the Husky is a multi-purpose, long-range aircraft used for military passenger, freight or medical transport.

Capable of refuelling aircraft mid-flight, it is equipped to support up to six CF-188 Hornet and F-35 Lightning fighter jets across the Atlantic Ocean.

CC-150 Polaris: Similar to the CC-330 Husky, the Polaris is also a multi-purpose, long-range aircraft with similar applications.The Polaris is only equipped to refuel four Hornets, has a shorter range than the Husky and has a lower maximum gross weight, yet is still a dependable tanker.

According to Thompson, the RCAF’s Polaris aircraft “can only do the probe and drogue type of air-to-air refueling. But with the new A-330, we’ll be able to do both boom and probe and drogue,” pointing out the upgrade in refuelling systems.

Unmanned aircraft

CQ-9B: The CQ-9B is the SkyGuardian, the Canadian version of the US MQ-9B – a remotely piloted aircraft designed for surveillance, Arctic defence and reconnaissance.

Reportedly capable of flying for 28 hours over a range of at least 7,200 kilometres, Thompson says the SkyGuardians will “come in really handy for doing stuff like surveilling the Northwest Passage and making sure we don’t have any nefarious activity going on in that region.”

According to Thompson, there is no current plan to arm the CQ-9B.

Transport

CC-177 Globemaster: The Globemaster is a strategic airlifter capable of transporting troops, cargo and combat equipment.

A single Globemaster has the capacity to haul three CH-146 Griffon helicopters or 102 paratroopers, making it an ideal transporter for military, humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions.

CC-130J Hercules: The Hercules is a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft used for troop transport, tactical airlift, search and rescue, and aircrew training.

Its design allows it to operate from unpaved airstrips, a benefit in northern areas where those airstrips are common.  It can carry up to 92 fully equipped paratroopers.

CC-138 Twin Otter: Used in transport and support roles, the Twin Otter’s short take-off and landing capabilities have made it well-suited to Yellowknife’s northern climate for decades. These aircraft are already a common sight in both civilian and military capacities.

The Twin Otter has the ability to be outfitted with skis or wheels, depending on the environment, meaning it is able to land on ground, snow, or ice and can operate in harsh environments.

Maritime patrol

CP-140 Aurora: The Aurora is a long-range patrol aircraft supporting a wide range of roles, including surveillance, anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and reconnaissance missions.

CP-8 Poseidon: Replacing some of the Auroras, the Poseidon is designed for similar missions. The Poseidon is more up-to-date, including the ability to be refuelled by an A330 tanker.

CH-148 Cyclone: Providing support for the Royal Canadian Navy, the Cyclone is an advanced shipborne helicopter. Used for surface and sub-surface surveillance, it can operate during the day and night and in severe weather conditions.

Search and rescue

CH-149 Cormorant: Dedicated to search and rescue, the Cormorant is a long-range helicopter adept at handling severe weather conditions.

Designed to carry 12 stretchers or a load of 5,000 kilograms, the helicopter is critical in hoisting operations such as rescue missions involving mountain climbers and lost hikers because of its ability to stay stable while hovering. Powered by three engines, the all-weather craft is able to perform under 50 knots of wind.

CC-295 Kingfisher: Designed for search and rescue missions, the Kingfisher is equipped with advanced sensors that can detect people from more than 40 km away.

It’s described by the RCAF as “Canada’s newest fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft.”

Helicopters

CH-147F Chinook: The Chinook’s long-range fuel systems help it transport equipment and personnel, and it’s already a common sight during northern training exercises like Operation Nanook. It’s designed to lift heavy equipment and is fitted to deploy troops in inaccessible areas. 

The helicopter is built with anti-missile protection systems, as well as laser warning systems and self-defence machine guns.

CH-145 Griffon: Having the capacity to carry 10 to 12 passengers, the Griffon’s primary role is tactical transport of troops and materials. t can also conduct search and rescue, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The Griffon can be fitted with a variety of self-defence weapons, searchlights and a hoist.