The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; French: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) is the air and space force of Canada.[1] Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower".[2] The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2020, the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of 12,074 Regular Force and 1,969 Primary Reserve personnel, supported by 1,518 civilians, and operates 258 manned aircraft and nine unmanned aerial vehicles.[3] Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny is the current Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Chief of the Air Force Staff.[4]
The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for all aircraft operations of the Canadian Forces, enforcing the security of Canada's airspace and providing aircraft to support the missions of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army. The RCAF is a partner with the United States Air Force in protecting continental airspace under the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The RCAF also provides all primary air resources to and is responsible for the National Search and Rescue Program.
The RCAF traces its history to the Canadian Air Force, which was formed in 1920. The Canadian Air Force was granted royal sanction in 1924 by King George V to form the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1968, the RCAF was amalgamated with the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army, as part of the unification of the Canadian Forces. Air units were split between several different commands: Air Defence Command (ADC; interceptors), Air Transport Command (ATC; airlift, search and rescue), Mobile Command (tactical fighters, helicopters), Maritime Command (anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol), as well as Training Command (TC).
In 1975, some commands (ADC, ATC, TC) were dissolved, and all air units were placed under a new environmental command called simply Air Command (AIRCOM;). Air Command reverted to its historic name of "Royal Canadian Air Force" in August 2011.[5]
The Royal Canadian Air Force has served in the Second World War, the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, as well as several United Nations peacekeeping missions and NATO operations. As a NATO member, the force maintained a presence in Europe during the second half of the 20th century.
See main article: History of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The Canadian Air Force (CAF) was established in 1920 as the successor to a short-lived two-squadron Canadian Air Force that was formed during the First World War in Europe. Wing Commander John Scott Williams was tasked in 1921 with organizing the CAF, handing command over later the same year to Air Marshal Lindsay Gordon.[6] The new Canadian Air Force was a branch of the Air Board and was chiefly a training militia that provided refresher training to veteran pilots.[7] [8] Many CAF members also worked with the Air Board's Civil Operations Branch on operations that included forestry, surveying and anti-smuggling patrols.[9] In 1923, the CAF became responsible for all flying operations in Canada, including civil aviation. In 1924, the Canadian Air Force, was granted the royal title, becoming the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Most of its work was civil in nature, with forest patrols of the northwest a major part of its operations;[10] however, in the late 1920s other agencies took up most civil tasks, with the notable exception of aerial photography surveys, and the RCAF evolved into more of a military organization.[11] After budget cuts in the early 1930s, the air force began to rebuild.[12]
During the Second World War, the RCAF was a major contributor to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and was involved in operations in the United Kingdom, Europe, the north Atlantic, North Africa, southern Asia, and with home defence. Eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-four Americans came north to volunteer for the RCAF and over 850 died in action.[13] By the end of the war, the RCAF had become the fourth largest Allied air force.[14] During World War II the RCAF was headquartered at a six-storey office building at 20-23 Lincoln's Inn Fields (built 1937), London.[15] A commemorative plaque can be found on the outside of the building.[16]
After the war, the RCAF reduced its strength. Because of the rising Soviet threat to the security of Europe, Canada joined NATO in 1949, and the RCAF established No. 1 Air Division RCAF consisting of four wings with three fighter squadrons each, based in France and West Germany. In 1950, the RCAF became involved with the transport of troops and supplies to the Korean War; however, it did not provide RCAF combat units. Members of the RCAF served in USAF units as exchange officers and several flew in combat. Both auxiliary and regular air defence squadrons were run by Air Defence Command. At the same time, the Pinetree Line, the Mid-Canada Line and the DEW Line radar stations, largely operated by the RCAF, were built across Canada because of the growing Soviet nuclear threat. In 1957, Canada and the United States created the joint North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). Coastal defence and peacekeeping also became priorities during the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1968, the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army were amalgamated to form the unified Canadian Forces. This initiative was overseen by the Defence Minister, Paul Hellyer. The controversial merger maintained several existing organizations and created some new ones: In Europe, No. 1 Canadian Air Group, operated Canadair CF-104 Starfighter nuclear strike/attack and reconnaissance under NATO's Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force; Air Defence Command: operated McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo interceptors, CIM-10 Bomarc missiles and the SAGE radar stations within NORAD; Air Transport Command: provided strategic airlift for the NATO and UN peacekeeping missions; and Training Command. Aviation assets of the Royal Canadian Navy were combined with the RCAF Canadair CP-107 Argus long-range patrol aircraft under Maritime Command. In 1975, the different commands, and the scattered aviation assets, were consolidated under Air Command (AIRCOM).
In the early 1990s, Canada provided a detachment of CF-18 Hornets for the air defence mission in Operation Desert Shield. The force performed combat air patrols over operations in Kuwait and Iraq, undertook a number of air-to-ground bombing missions, and, on one occasion, attacked an Iraqi patrol boat in the Persian Gulf.
In the late 1990s, Air Command's CF-18 Hornets took part in the Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia, and in the 2000s, AIRCOM was heavily involved in the Afghanistan War, transporting troops and assets to Kandahar. Later in the decade-long war, AIRCOM set up a purpose-specific air wing, Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing, equipped with several CH-146 Griffon and CH-147 Chinook helicopters, CC-130 Hercules, CU-161 Sperwer and leased CU-170 Heron UAVs in support of the Canadian Forces and ISAF mission. The wing stood down on 18 August 2011.
From 18 March to 1 November 2011, the RCAF was engaged in Operation Mobile, Canada's contribution to Operation Unified Protector in Libya. Seven CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and several other aircraft served under Task Force Libeccio as part of the military intervention.[17]
On 16 August 2011, the Government of Canada announced that the name "Air Command" was being changed to the air force's original historic name: Royal Canadian Air Force (along with the change of name of Maritime Command to Royal Canadian Navy and Land Force Command to Canadian Army). The change was made to better reflect Canada's military heritage and align Canada with other key Commonwealth countries whose military units use the royal designation.[18] The RCAF adopted a new badge in 2013, which is similar to the pre-unification RCAF badge (although placed in the modern frame used for command badges). The Latin motto of Air Command Latin: Sic itur ad astra which was the motto of the Canadian Air Force when first formed after the First World War (before it became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924) was retained. Though traditional insignia for the RCAF was restored in 2015, there has been no restoration of the traditional uniforms or rank structure of the historical service (apart from a rank of "aviator", which replaced that of "private" in 2015).[19]
On 17 April 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada was dispatching six CF-18s and military personnel to assist NATO in operations in Eastern Europe.[20]
See main article: List of aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force (current inventory only).
See main article: List of aircraft of Canada's air forces (complete inventory including retired types).
The Royal Canadian Air Force has about 430 aircraft in service, making it the third-largest air force in the Americas, after the United States Armed Forces, and the Brazilian Air Force.
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Aircraft | ||||||
| CF-18 Hornet (CF-188) | United States | Multirole | CF-18A/B Hornet | 85 | 98 CF-18A and 40 CF-18B have been delivered for a total of 138. 72 CF-18As and 31 CF-18Bs in inventory, 85 in operational use.[21] [22] | |
| FA-18A/B Hornet | United States | Multirole | FA-18A/B Hornet | 7 | 12 F/A-18A and 6 F/A-18B have been delivered from Australia for a total of 18. 7 in operational use. | |
| F-35A Lightning II | United States | Multirole | F-35A | 88 F-35As ordered in January 2023. First 4 to arrive in 2026, with all 88 to be delivered by 2032.[23] [24] | ||
| Maritime patrol | ||||||
| CP-140 Aurora | United States | ASW/Patrol | Lockheed CP-140M | 15[25] | Will be replaced by Boeing P-8A | |
| Boeing P-8A | United States | ASW/Patrol | Boeing P-8A | 16 on order with delivery starting in 2026.[26] | ||
| Reconnaissance | ||||||
| CE-145C Vigilance | United States | surveillance/reconnaissance | Beechcraft King Air 350ER | 3[27] | ||
| Transport aircraft | ||||||
| CC-130 Hercules | United States | Tanker/SAR | Lockheed CC-130E/HR(T) | 12 | 4 tankers and 8 SAR.[28] | |
| CC-130J Super Hercules | United States | Tactical airlifter/SAR | Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 | 17 | As of 15 May 2023, CC-130J model Hercules aircraft began performing SAR operations based out of CFB Trenton so CC-130 (non-J model) airframes could be relocated to other squadrons.[29] | |
| CC-138 Twin Otter | Canada | SAR | 3 | |||
| CC-144 Challenger | Canada | Transport | Bombardier Challenger 600 | 4 | ||
| CC-150 Polaris | Multinational | Transport/Tanker | Airbus CC-150, Airbus CC-150T | 5 | 2 transport, 2 tanker and 1 VIP | |
| CC-330 Husky | Multinational | Transport/Tanker | A330-200 | 2 | 9 new and used aircraft to be converted to MRTT role. Initial units to enter service in fall 2023.[30] [31] [32] First aircraft arrived in Canada on 31 August 2023.[33] Aircraft still has civilian registration 9K-APC and RCAF numbering 30002. | |
| CC-177 Globemaster III | United States | Strategic airlifter | Boeing C-17A ER | 5 | ||
| CC-295 Kingfisher | Spain | SAR | EADS CASA C-295 | All 16 aircraft were expected to be delivered by the end of 2022.[34] [35] [36] However, initial operating capability is not anticipated until 2025/26.[37] Additional trainer aircraft for maintenance personnel arrived in 2020 without SAR equipment and not part of the operational fleet. | ||
| Helicopters | ||||||
| CH-139 JetRanger | United States | Trainer | Bell 206B-3 | 13 | ||
| United States / Canada | Transport/SAR | 85 | 85 tactical helicopters and 15 SAR. Eight armed in 2009 to escort CH-147 Chinooks in Afghanistan.[38] | |||
| CH-147 Chinook | United States | Transport | Boeing CH-47F | 14 | One aircraft crashed July 2023[39] | |
| CH-148 Cyclone | United States | ASW | 25 | 26 helicopters delivered as of end of 2022.[40] [41] One airframe lost to crash on operations.[42] | ||
| CH-149 Cormorant | United Kingdom / Italy | SAR | 13 | 13 aircraft to be upgraded plus additional 3 new-build helicopters ordered[43] | ||
| Trainer Aircraft | ||||||
| CT-114 Tutor | Canada | Air Demonstration, proficiency flying | Canadair CL-41A | 24 | Used by 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (The Snowbirds).Used by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE), CFB Cold Lake for test support and pilot proficiency.[44] [45] | |
| CT-142 Dash-8 | Canada | Trainer | 4 | 3 Ordered[46] | ||
| CT-156 Harvard II | United States | Trainer | 22 | 24 leased in 2000, 2 added in 2002.[47] Two lost in crashes.[48] [49] | ||
| Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet | France / Germany | Jet Trainer | Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet Type A | 16[50] | Based in Montreal and operated by Canadian Air Combat and Electronic Warfare Support Services as well as 414 Squadron. | |
| Grob G 120 | Germany | Trainer | 14 | 23 Ordered[51] | ||
| Pilatus PC-21 | Switzerland | Trainer | 19 Ordered[52] | |||
| Beechcraft Super King Air 260 | United States | Trainer | 7 Ordered[53] | |||
| Eurocopter EC135 | France | Trainer | 19 Ordered[54] | |||
| UAV | ||||||
| MQ-9B SkyGuardian | United States | ISR | 11 on order with delivery from 2028.[55] | |||
| IAI Heron | Israel | ISR | 2 | 2 in service, formerly operated 3.[56] | ||
| UMS Skeldar V-200 | Sweden | ISR | CU-176 Gargoyle | 6 | Known as CU-176 Gargoyle in Canadian Service.[57] | |
| RQ-21 Blackjack | United States | ISR | 10 | |||
The Canadian Forces have leased aircraft from vendors to help transport troops and equipment from Canada and other locations in the past decade. Transport aircraft have been leased as required. Despite RCAF marking all aircraft have civilian registration numbers.
See main article: Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Canadian procurement. The Canadian CF-35 is a proposed variant that would differ from the F-35A through the addition of a drogue parachute and may include an F-35B/C-style refuelling probe.[66] In 2012, it was revealed that the CF-35 would employ the same boom refuelling system as the F-35A.[67] Following the 2015 Federal Election the Liberal Party, whose campaign had included a pledge to cancel the F-35 procurement,[68] formed a new government and commenced an open competition to replace the existing CF-18 Hornet.[69] On 28 March 2022, the Government of Canada announced that the competition had placed the F-35A first and planned to buy 88 of them. Under procurement rules, the government entered into negotiations with Lockheed Martin.[70] On 9 January 2023, the government of Canada officially ordered 88 F-35As.[23] [24]
As of 25 September 2023, Royal Canadian Air Force was looking at purchasing the MQ-9 along with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, in a CA$5 billion contract. The drones were reportedly to be stationed at CFB Greenwood and CFB Comox, with personnel in Ottawa and Yellowknife to support the program. A contract was announced on 19 December 2023 for 11 MQ-9B drones, 219 Hellfire missiles, and 12 Mk82 500-pound bombs.[71]
November 30, 2023 - Canada finalized a government-to-government agreement with the US government for the acquisition of up to 16 P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the RCAF. Fourteen multi-mission aircraft will be procured, with options for up to two additional.[72]
In 2022, two ex-Kuwait Airways Airbus A330-200 were selected to be converted as Airbus A330 MRTT to replace the CC-150 Polaris. The two aircraft will arrive in winter 2023 and converted by Airbus Defence and Space (mainly in Spain and repainted in France).[73] June 19,2023 - Contract awarded for acquisition of nine CC-330 Husky aircraft (mix of 4 new and 5 used A330-200), associated equipment, integrated logistic support elements, training simulator(s), and sustainment.[74]
Weapons systems are used by the CF-18 Hornet, CP-140 Aurora, CH-146 Griffon and the CH-148 Cyclone.
| Manufacturer | Origin | Weapon | Type | Entered service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin | GBU-10 Paveway II (12, 16 and 24) | Laser-guided bomb | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| Mark 82 bomb | Low drag general-purpose bomb | 1970s | Used by CF-18 | |||
| General Dynamics | Mark 83 bomb | Low drag general-purpose bomb (1,000 lb (450 kg)) | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| General Dynamics | Mark 84 bomb | Low drag general-purpose bomb (2,000 lb (910 kg)) | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| Boeing | Joint Direct Attack Munition[75] | A kit to convert a regular bomb into precision-guided munition | 2011 | Used by CF-18 | ||
| Raytheon/Hughes | AGM-65G Maverick Missile | Air-to-surface missile | 1999 | Used by CF-18. First leased in 1999 from the United States for Kosovo Force, then purchased in 2002 for the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)[76] [77] | ||
| Bristol | CRV 7 Rocket | Folding-fin ground attack rocket | 1970s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| Douglas | AIM-7 Sparrow | Medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| Raytheon/Hughes | AIM-120 AMRAAM | Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile | 2000s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| Raytheon/Ford/ Loral Corp. | AIM-9 Sidewinder | Heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | ||
General Electric | M61 20mm Vulcan cannon | Air-cooled gatling-style cannon | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| Alliant | Mark 46 torpedo | Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo | 1970s | Used by CP-140 Aurora and CH-148 Cyclone (but not by CP-140A Arcturus) | ||
| FN Herstal | FN MAG C6 | 7.62 mm self-defence machine gun | 1980s | Used by CH-146 Griffon, CH-147F Chinook and CH-148 Cyclone | ||
| Dillon Aero | M134 | 7.62 mm self-defence machine gun | 2011 | Used by CH-146 Griffon | ||
| Browning Arms Company | M3M | 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) machine gun | 2013 | Used by CH-146 Griffon |
| Manufacturer | Origin | Name | Type | In Service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems & Electronics, Inc. | 60K Tunner | Material handling equipment | 2008 | Used with CC-177 transport | ||
| JBT AeroTech | Halvorsen 44K Loaders | Truck Aircraft Side Load Unload (TASLU) Loader | 2008 | 4 for use with CC-177; licensed from Static Engineering of Australia | ||
| Mobile Arrestor Gear | ||||||
| FMC Corp. | B-1200 | Aircraft towing tractor | 2008 | Used to tow CC-177 and CC-130 |
| Weapon | Country of manufacture | Type | In service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIM-10 Bomarc-B | Supersonic missile equipped with a 10 kt W40 (nuclear warhead) | 1962 to 1972 | N/A | ||
| AIR-2 Genie | Air-to-air rocket with a 1.5 kt W25 (nuclear warhead) | 1965 to 1984 | N/A | ||
| MK-20 "Rockeye" | Cluster bomb | 1980s to 1997[78] | ≈1000 |
See main article: Structure of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction to the Air Force. The commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, based in Winnipeg, is responsible for the operational command and control of Royal Canadian Air Force activities throughout Canada and worldwide. 2 Canadian Air Division was established in June 2009, and consists of training establishments. The other division, 3 Canadian Space Division, was established in 2022.[79]
, there are 15 wings across Canada, 13 operational and 2 used for training. Wings represent the grouping of various squadrons, both operational and support, under a single tactical commander reporting to the operational commander. Ten wings also include a Canadian Forces base along with other operational and support units.
The rank of general is held when an air officer is Chief of the Defence Staff. The last air force officer who served as Chief of the Defence Staff was General Thomas J. Lawson, who was appointed to the position in 2012. The commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force holds the rank of lieutenant-general. Divisions are commanded by major-generals. Brigadier-generals are typically second-in-command of a division. Wings are commanded by colonels. Squadrons are commanded by lieutenant-colonels. Majors are typically second-in-command of squadrons, or flight commanders. Captains, lieutenants and second lieutenants are the junior level leaders in RCAF squadrons and headquarters.
| Canada | Commander-in-chief | |
|---|---|---|
| Insignia | ||
| Title | Commander-in-chief | |
| Abbreviation | C-in-C |
On 1 April 2015, the rank structure and insignia changed.[80] The rank of private was replaced with that of aviator, represented with a propeller for the rank insignia. The previously used term "leading aircraftman" was considered not to be gender neutral.[81] The rank insignia were also changed: enlisted ranks were changed from gold to pearl-grey (silver) and officers rank braid was changed from gold to pearl-grey on black, similar to the pattern used before unification of Canada's armed forces in 1968.[81] A revival of the former rank titles of the RCAF did not occur, however, as such an extensive change was considered "too complicated and confusing".[80] Instead, the current rank titles were retained (with the exception of aviator). The Royal Flying Corps, considered to be a predecessor of the RCAF, used rank titles similar to the existing rank titles of the RCAF.[81]
The badge of the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of:[82]
Roundels used from 1920 until 1945 were usually the same as Royal Air Force roundels although not all variations were used and colours were matched to locally available paints. On 5 July 1940, the RCAF was authorized to introduce the maple leaf into the roundel in place of the red centre. However, a large amount of RCAF planes still continued to use the RAF roundel until 1945 since their aircraft, including those built in Canada all came through RAF channels.[83] [84]
On 9 November 1984, Canada Post issued "Air Force" as part of the Canadian Forces series. The stamps were designed by Ralph Tibbles, based on an illustration by William Southern. The 32¢ stamps are perforated 12 x 12.5 and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited.[85]