I'm ambivalent on the Seahawks. On one hand, I want the RCN to have a reliable air element pronto, but since their is no funding attached yet, that doesn't seem likely. On the other hand, the speed of their availability is about the only thing that is compelling. I know they have advantages, with a massive user base guaranteeing parts availability, and they are a known quantity, and more... But all of those advantages distill down to "the American option is always easiest". If we want to break the addiction, we need to deprioritize "easiest" and start looking at "best 2nd option." Which is hard, because lots of the American options are *good* options! And the other options, if they exist, have serious draw backs.
I guess, if the DIA could get Seahawks on the Halifaxes in the next couple months, I could stomach it. But if hypothetical Seahawks are years away still, I'd rather they take those years to take one of the alternatives you've mentioned and make it a better option. I know that closing the gap even a little will be a stretch, but that's how I feel right now.
unfortunately no other options exist for the RCN/RCAF in this space. The Merlin HM2 is about a meter longer and a meter taller then the CH-148 Cyclone and can't easily fit into the Halifax Class which is absolutely needed as we will be operating those ships for about a decade or more and refiting these ships again are not an option. it also lacks Link-16, Mk54 integration and other capabilities. NH-90 while theoretically compatible faces all these issues as well plus the fact that numerous countries are cutting the type due to increasing spare parts and avaliablity issues. Cyclone replacement hasn't been funded yet but with Block 2 IOC now under review and the numerous helicopters that are moth balled because of lack of spares it's only telling that this is the trajectory that the RCAF wants to pursue.
The hangars on the CPFs were originally designed around the EH101 and so they do indeed fit. After the 101 program was cancelled by Chrétien the hangars were converted for SeaKing use.
AW159 is a significantly smaller helicopter then any of those helicopters. it has half the max take off weight meaning less room for munitions, sonobuoys. has less capable sensors compared to MH-60R or even merlin/NH-90 and has less range also.
Rock meet hard place. The entire procurement history of the Cyclone sits like a noose around the neck of the current RCN. Throw in a political black swan and we have little room to manoeuvre. We either hold our nose and get the best deal we can for the Seahawks now or we hobble along with the Cyclones for a few more years and wait for the significantly upgraded Seahawks currently under development which dovetails with the Rivers. Harry makes a fair point about always choosing the easiest option which begs the question….where is our line in the sand? The Merlins are always an option but will require changes, development time & money and will likely never the see deck of a Halifax frigate. Except for Seahawks now, which solves the capability problem, there is no perfect alignment for any of the other options given the chaotic environment the Feds now find themselves in. It is clear that each choice is a give and take with many operational, political, capability, cost factors at play. But we do not get to escape some pain here and very likely an operational/capability gap for a period of time. That’s just the way it goes when you’re behind the eight ball on just about every capability due to years of underinvestment. We’ll get there but definitely gonna be a bumpy road. Just need to stay calm and keep moving forward. Oh yeah…welcome back Noah.
I'm ambivalent on the Seahawks. On one hand, I want the RCN to have a reliable air element pronto, but since their is no funding attached yet, that doesn't seem likely. On the other hand, the speed of their availability is about the only thing that is compelling. I know they have advantages, with a massive user base guaranteeing parts availability, and they are a known quantity, and more... But all of those advantages distill down to "the American option is always easiest". If we want to break the addiction, we need to deprioritize "easiest" and start looking at "best 2nd option." Which is hard, because lots of the American options are *good* options! And the other options, if they exist, have serious draw backs.
I guess, if the DIA could get Seahawks on the Halifaxes in the next couple months, I could stomach it. But if hypothetical Seahawks are years away still, I'd rather they take those years to take one of the alternatives you've mentioned and make it a better option. I know that closing the gap even a little will be a stretch, but that's how I feel right now.
unfortunately no other options exist for the RCN/RCAF in this space. The Merlin HM2 is about a meter longer and a meter taller then the CH-148 Cyclone and can't easily fit into the Halifax Class which is absolutely needed as we will be operating those ships for about a decade or more and refiting these ships again are not an option. it also lacks Link-16, Mk54 integration and other capabilities. NH-90 while theoretically compatible faces all these issues as well plus the fact that numerous countries are cutting the type due to increasing spare parts and avaliablity issues. Cyclone replacement hasn't been funded yet but with Block 2 IOC now under review and the numerous helicopters that are moth balled because of lack of spares it's only telling that this is the trajectory that the RCAF wants to pursue.
The hangars on the CPFs were originally designed around the EH101 and so they do indeed fit. After the 101 program was cancelled by Chrétien the hangars were converted for SeaKing use.
What about the Leonardo's Aw159? Link-16 can be installed, its in use in the RN and a quick internet search says its just as capable as the MH-60R.
AW159 is a significantly smaller helicopter then any of those helicopters. it has half the max take off weight meaning less room for munitions, sonobuoys. has less capable sensors compared to MH-60R or even merlin/NH-90 and has less range also.
Lockheed Martin Canada also qualified under the DDI RFSA.
There were over a hundred whom have already got their confirmation, apparently. Why the DND is releasing in these batches I can't say.
Rock meet hard place. The entire procurement history of the Cyclone sits like a noose around the neck of the current RCN. Throw in a political black swan and we have little room to manoeuvre. We either hold our nose and get the best deal we can for the Seahawks now or we hobble along with the Cyclones for a few more years and wait for the significantly upgraded Seahawks currently under development which dovetails with the Rivers. Harry makes a fair point about always choosing the easiest option which begs the question….where is our line in the sand? The Merlins are always an option but will require changes, development time & money and will likely never the see deck of a Halifax frigate. Except for Seahawks now, which solves the capability problem, there is no perfect alignment for any of the other options given the chaotic environment the Feds now find themselves in. It is clear that each choice is a give and take with many operational, political, capability, cost factors at play. But we do not get to escape some pain here and very likely an operational/capability gap for a period of time. That’s just the way it goes when you’re behind the eight ball on just about every capability due to years of underinvestment. We’ll get there but definitely gonna be a bumpy road. Just need to stay calm and keep moving forward. Oh yeah…welcome back Noah.