RCAF aircraft
The RCAF operates and maintains an extensive fleet of cutting-edge aircraft. Whether delivering vital supplies, conducting reconnaissance, launching search and rescue, engaging in combat or defending Canadian sovereignty, RCAF aircraft excel in any situation, providing timely air power to effectively address present and future challenges at home and abroad.
The RCAF Fleet
Aerial Survey/Reconnaissance
CP-140 Aurora
Aeromedical Evacuation
CC-130H Hercules
CC-130J Hercules
CC-144 Challenger
CC-177 Globemaster III
Air-to-air Refuelling
CC-130H Hercules
CC-150 Polaris
CC-330 Husky
Air Display
CT-114 Tutor
CF-188 Hornet
Air Combat
CF-188 Hornet
Ground Attack
CH-146 Griffon
CF-188 Hornet
Maritime Patrol
CP-140 Aurora
CH-148 Cyclone
Northern and other Patrols
CP-140 Aurora
Transport
CC-130H Hercules
CC-130J Hercules
CC-138 Twin Otter
CC-144 Challenger
CH-146 Griffon
CH-147F Chinook
CH-148 Cyclone
CC-150 Polaris
CC-330 Husky
Search and Rescue
CC-130H Hercules
CC-138 Twin Otter
CP-140 Aurora
CH-146 Griffon
CH-148 Cyclone
CH-149 Cormorant
Tactical Transport (Fixed Wing)
CC-130H Hercules
CC-130J Hercules
CC-138 Twin Otter
CC-177 Globemaster III
Strategic Transport
CC-150 Polaris
CC-177 Globemaster III
CC-330 Husky
Tactical Airlift (Rotary Wing)
CH-146 Griffon
CH-147F Chinook
CH-148 Cyclone
CH-149 Cormorant
Training
CH-139 Jet Ranger
CT-142 Dash-8
CT-156 Harvard II
Bell 412CF
C-90B King Air
Grob-G120A
Explore our Aircraft
CT-114 Tutor- RCAF’s primary jet trainer from 1963 to 2000
- in 1971, modified Tutors were chosen for the RCAF’s Snowbirds demonstration team
- performing low-level aerobatic maneuvers, the Snowbirds showcase exceptional skill, professionalism, teamwork, dedication, and discipline, all traits embodied by the Canadian Armed Forces
Length
9.75 m
Wingspan
11.12 m
Height
2.84 m
Empty weight
2,409 kg
Maximum standard thrust per engine
1,225 kg
Maximum speed
763 km/h
Range
648 km
CC-130H Hercules- tactical transport aircraft
- severe weather conditions flying capabilities
- accommodates up to 80 passengers
- supports search and rescue missions across Canada
- supports disaster assistance and transport operations
- two are capable of air-to-air refueling
Length
29.79 m
Wingspan
40.41 m
Height
11.63 m
Maximum gross weight
87,320 kg
Maximum speed
556 km/h
Range (without tanks)
7,222 km
CC-130J Hercules- tactical transport aircraft
- troop transport
- severe weather conditions flying capabilities
- accommodates up to 92 fully equipped paratroopers or 128 passengers
- supports disaster assistance and transport operations
Length
34.37 m
Wingspan
40.38 m
Height
11.81 m
Maximum gross weight
79,380 kg
Maximum speed
660 km/h
Range
6,852 km
CC-138 Twin Otter- short take-off and landing utility-transport aircraft
- adaptable, uses wheels or skies for take-offs and landings
- supports northern operations and search and rescue missions
Length
15.1 m
Wingspan
19.81 m
Height
6.06 m
Maximum gross weight
6,350 kg
Maximum speed
307 km/h
Range
1,250 km
CH-139 Jet Ranger- single engine, dual-control, trainer
- used for RCAF helicopter trainees to earn their wings
Length
11.91 m
Rotor span
10.13 m
Height
2.93 m
Maximum gross weight
1,451 kg
Maximum speed
240 km/h
Range
693 km
CP-140 Aurora- long-range patrol aircraft
- conducts diverse missions over land and sea, such as search and rescue intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare
- contributes to government initiatives such as patrols against illegal fishing, pollution and drug trafficking
Length
35.61 m
Wingspan
30.37 m
Height
10.30 m
Maximum gross weight
64,410 kg
Maximum speed
750 km/h
Range
7,400 km
CT-142 Dash-8- turboprop trainer used by the RCAF and air forces worldwide
- nicknamed “Gonzo” because of its long nose radar system housing
- training on the CT-142 involves navigation, tactics, surveillance, and search and rescue
Length
23.63 m
Wingspan
25.89 m
Height
7.44 m
Maximum gross weight
19,260 kg
Maximum speed
482 km/h
Range
2,400 km
CC-144 Challenger- jet-powered aircraft
- supports military and humanitarian operations in Canada and worldwide
- transports government officials and foreign dignitaries
Length
20.85 m
Wingspan
18.84 m
Height
5.84 m
Maximum gross weight
18,779 kg
Maximum speed
Mach 0.8
Range
5,926 km
CH-146 Griffon- utility tactical-transport helicopter
- GPS satellite navigation and Doppler-radar systems
- can be fitted with a variety of gear, including self-defence weapons, searchlight and an extraction hoist for extracting people or cargo from almost any terrain
- supports tactical troops and assets transportation
- supports training, search and rescue operations, casualty evacuations surveillance and reconnaissance, and counter-drug operations
Length
17.1 m
Rotor span
14.0 m
Height
4.6 m
Maximum gross weight
5,400 kg
Maximum speed
260 km/h
Range
656 km
CH-147F Chinook- multi-mission helicopter
- anti-missile protection systems
- radar
- laser warning systems
- ballistic protection
- self-defence machine guns
- transports personnel and assets during domestic or deployed operations
- supports the Canadian Army, special operations forces, government agencies and civil authorities
Length
15.9 m
Rotor span
18.28 m
Height
5.77 m
Maximum gross weight
24,494 kg
Maximum slinging payload
12,700 kg
Maximum speed
315 km/h
Range
1,200 km
CH-148 Cyclone- Canada’s primary ship-borne maritime helicopter
- day and night capabilities in diverse weather conditions
- provides air support to the Royal Canadian Navy domestically and abroad
- supports surface and sub-surface surveillance
- supports search and rescue missions
Length
17.22 m
Length (folded configuration)
14.78 m
Rotor span
17.48 m
Height
5.44 m
Maximum gross weight
13,000 kg
Maximum speed
287 km/h
Range
740 km
CH-149 Cormorant- long-range, search and rescue helicopter
- operates in severe weather
- advanced stable hovering for critical hoisting operations
- accommodates up to12 stretchers or a 5,000 kilograms load
Length
22.8 m
Rotor span
18.5 m
Height
6.5 m
Maximum gross weight
14,600 kg
Maximum speed
277 km/h
Range
1,000+ km
CC-150 Polaris- multi-purpose, long-range aircraft
- transports military passengers, government officials, foreign dignitaries, freight, and medical supplies
- two CC-150s are equipped with air-to-air refueling and each can ferry four CF-188s across the Atlantic
Length
46.66 m
Wingspan
43.9 m
Height
15.8 m
Maximum gross weight
157,000 kg
Maximum speed
Mach 0.84
Range
9,600 km
CT-156 Harvard II- transitional trainer
- advanced, fully pressurized cockpit
- electronic flight instrument system
- global positioning system
- allows new pilots to move seamlessly from basic flight training to high performance jet flight training
Length
10.18 m
Wingspan
10.21 m
Height
3.25 m
Empty weight
2,971 kg
Maximum speed
575 km/h
Range
834 km
CC-177 Globemaster III- rapid, flexible, and strategic airlifter
- advanced avionics
- transports cargo and oversized military equipment
- transports up to 102 paratroopers
- ideal for combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions
Length
53.04 m
Wingspan
51.74 m
Height
16.79 m
Maximum gross weight
265,350 kg
Maximum speed
Mach 0.74
Range
10,279 km
CF-188 Hornet- aka CF-18
- multi-role fighter aircraft
- advanced target-tracking and weaponry
- supports air defence, tactical ground attacks, training, and aerospace testing and evaluation
- over the years, served with distinction in various military operations within Canada and abroad
Length
17.07 m
Wingspan
12.31 m
Height
4.66 m
Empty weight
10,455 kg
Maximum standard thrust per engine
4,850 kg
Maximum afterburner thrust per engine
7,290 kg
Maximum speed
Mach 1.8
Range
3,700 km
Airbus CC-330 Husky- 250+ passengers
- aeromedical evacuation capabilities
- nine CC-330 Husky Air Bus aircraft are replacing the RCAF’s CC-150 Polaris aircraft
- eight CC-330s will be modified into multi-role tanker transports equipped with airborne refuelling gear to refuel RCAF and allied aircraft
- one CC-330 will ferry VIPs
- the nine aircraft will be stationed at two bases, one in eastern Canada and one in the west
Length
58.8 m
Wingspan
60.3 m
Height
17.4 m
Maximum gross weight
233,000 kg
Maximum speed
880 km/h
Range
13,900 km
Bell 412CF- helicopter trainer
- glass cockpit displays
- flight management system
- weather radar
- provides second-level helicopter training before trainees earn their wings
Length
17.1 m
Rotor span
14.0 m
Height
4.6 m
Maximum gross weight
5,397 kg
Maximum speed
226 km/h
Range
980 km
C-90B King Air- twin-engine trainer
- teaches trainees who have completed their CT-156 Harvard II training, to operate a multi-crew, multi-engine aircraft
Length
10.80 m
Wingspan
15.27 m
Exterior Height
4.29 m
Maximum take-off weight
4,581 kg
Maximum speed
463 km/h
Range
1,741 km
Grob-G120A- first phase, low wing pilot trainer
- agile and aerobatic
- test trainees’ abilities in demanding operational situations to determine their pilot potential
Length
8.61 m
Wingspan
10.19 m
Height
2.57 m
Empty weight
960 kg
Maximum speed
319 km/h
Range
1,540 km
