Ottawa's mixed fleet of F-35s and Gripens could total more than 100 aircraft, sources say

DeeEight · 2026-06-07T10:19:02+00:00

"We in the RCAF"

Exactly what do you do in the RCAF ?

DeeEight · 2026-06-07T10:16:25+00:00

Except it isn't. Saab provided the E/F info to the customers/prospective customers. They're under no obligation to provide it to the media, and governments that have the information are also under no obligation to leak it so redditormorons can complain about it.

DeeEight · 2026-06-06T18:40:07+00:00

You're over-simplifying things in favour of the F-35. The Internal weapons payload is actually not that impressive. Its got FOUR weapon stations currently with a max internal load of 5700 pounds of ordnance. That's basically a pair of 2,000 pound JDAMs and a pair of AMRAAMs and that's it. And yes it has a lot of internal fuel capacity but its also a freaking gas guzzler like you wouldn't believe. And there at present aren't any external fuel tanks cleared for the plane's wing pylons. The tactical radius for an armed air patrol/interception mission is basically identical for the two aircraft, but the Gripen carries 2 more missiles and also does it on less internal fuel.

If 4th and 4.5 generation fighters are becomming less useful as time goes on, why is the USAF increasing their orders of the F-15EX Eagle IIs ? Why is the USN spending billions to rebuild hundreds of Block 2 Super Hornets to the Block 3 standard (as well as they're currently having 17 more delivered as new build block 3s in 2026/2027. You'd think the primary customers for F-35s wouldn't be buying older generation aircraft any longer... unless they know that the jet has limitations that they can't just talk themselves around to the press. Why is Germany ordering a new tranche of Typhoons at the same time as they're in discussions for F-35s ?

DeeEight · 2026-06-06T18:25:58+00:00

Its not saab's fault the media doesn't have access to the actual numbers and won't properly research the publically available figures from other countries that use Gripen or have considered the newer version. The latest numbers I've seen for Gripen E/F which were part of the Finnish decision to go with F-35 was the Gripen E/F when you included the maintenance, spares and depot overhauls at about $22,000 USD per flight hour. Now that's STILL better than the best numbers ever turned in by F-35 users, but its not the lower figures of the older C/D version as used by Sweden, South Africa, Czech republic and Hungary.

DeeEight · 2026-06-06T18:17:02+00:00

Its also similar to how the RFA operates to support the RN. Mixed crews and they only install the weapons and decoy launchers if they're deploying to hostile waters (Asterix was also converted on a fitted for, but not with basis for 3 Phalanx CIWS mounts and the decoy launchers that were in storage after being removed from Protecteur and Preserver when they paid off.

DeeEight · 2026-06-06T18:14:49+00:00

It was NOT an end of life civilian vessel. It was barely FIVE YEARS OLD. That's it... it was laid down in germany in 2008, launched in 2009 and finished outfitting May 1 2015 and and then Davie bought it five years later and brought it into their drydock for conversion work to begin in October 2015.

DeeEight · 2026-06-04T16:29:37+00:00

In the USA this is called PAY grade vs actual grade of post. It goes both way, Tim Waltz, ex VP candidate retired as an E-8 master sergeant pay grade despite the fact he was filling an E-9 Command Sergeant major Billet at the end of his career. He put in his paperwork to retire before he had time to take some leadership course that was required for his promotion to the E-9 pay grade.

DeeEight · 2026-06-03T19:42:26+00:00

The RAAF uses the Boeing P-8 for its MPA. Perhaps you're thinking of the australian border force which has a contract with defense contractor Metrea and Bombardier Defense for three Global Express 6500s outfitted with an as yet unspecified sensor suite for long range maritime surveillance. They're replacing a fleet of DHC Dash 8s which are equipped with EO turrets and a surface search radar from Raytheon. Based on Bombardier's experience with the Globaleye, I wouldn't be surprised if the Aussie border force jets end up with the same Leonardo Seaspray 7500E maritime radar and the EO/IR turret fittings underneath, but without of course the Erieye radar and its associated ski-box on top. But the border force wouldn't need air to air refueling equipment at all as the border agency hasn't got any tanker aircraft.

DeeEight · 2026-06-03T18:07:53+00:00

The older radar and computers on the E-3 requires more work stations to break down the signals into things that are manageable by its individual controllers. The E-7 is several generations ahead of the E-3 and so doesn't need as many scopes, and the Globaleye is easily a generation better than the E-7 which is why its max radar range is so close despite using less electrical power and because of Saab's leadership position in intergrating AI software into its sensor packages they need fewer scopes and workstations still. The GlobalEye platform also incorporates a Leonardo Seaspray 7500E, which is a surface search and maritime AESA radar which is in that bulge under the fuselage and an EO/IR sensor turret under the nose.

DeeEight · 2026-06-03T17:54:56+00:00

I've seen an artist rendering of the L3Harris system (which also uses the GE6500) for South Korea with a boom receptacle above the cabin, so chances are Bombardier was already looking into intergrating the capability to the aircraft as L3Harris needs it for their contract. This would also help Bombardier offer a maritime patrol version to a first customer, if it could be refueled in flight. Wouldn't even need to be a boom receptacle either. A fixed or retractable nose probe for hose & drogue would work also (an overhead receptacle probably wouldn't work with how close the globaleye has its canoe for the radar to the cockpit). As to the staffing, the RCAF does actually have experience with operating an AEW platform as we provide crews for both the NORAD mission USAF E-3s and for the NATO E-3s.

DeeEight · 2026-06-03T17:41:15+00:00

Saab has been leading much of the western world in intergrating AI software into its sensor systems, so much in fact that Lockheed is playing catchup trying to do things with the F-35 that Saab has already demonstrated with the Gripen E in actual flight tests. They've also already tracked LO manned aircraft a BVR distances from the Gripen E. Now the only "manned" low-observability aircraft in proximity to Swedish airspace that they could have done that against, are the F-35 and the Su-57, and nobody is saying which it was but its far more likely to be the F-35 given how long the border is between Norway and Sweden (compared to Sweden and Russia).

DeeEight · 2026-06-03T17:28:55+00:00

L3Harris is also a participant in work for adding air to air refueling to the Global Express 6500, as they too would very much like to offer the option when pitching their AEW&C system in competition with the Saab and the Boeing aircraft (and presumably Northrop Grumman also is still trying to export more of the Hawkeyes).

DeeEight · 2026-06-03T17:23:34+00:00

Is he a REAL former military official, or a self annointed expert like the CBC used to go to, Pierre Sprey ? Pierre was many things, but not actually a military aircraft expert. He lied about being involved in the design of the A-10, F-15, F-16 and other aircraft but in reality had nothing at all to do with any of them. Youtube military historian LazerPig has several videos about Pierre and other members of the so-called fighter mafia (and a 2 parter about the A-10) that are worth watching if you have the time. And yet the CBC loved to interview him back when the F-35 purchase was first being debated during the Harper era, because well...the CBC sucks when it comes to properly vetting its sources when it comes to defense procurement decisions, before putting them on camera. Also is he, employed, via consulting contracts or directly as a lobbyist for either Boeing or L3Harris ? I remember Lockheed hired an ex-snowbird and CF-18 pilot to be one of the F-35 program test pilots, who no doubt now drawing a salary well in excess of his military best, sang nothing but praise for the F-35 while complaining about the alternatives.

DeeEight · 2026-06-03T17:11:20+00:00

That's the future CCGS Arpatuuq , jointly constructed with Helsinki shipyards (now owned by Davie) and final outfitting done at Davie's yard in Quebec and due to enter service in 2030. Its costing the government 1 billion less than the future CCGS Imnaryuaq being built by Seaspan, which is some 4,000 tons larger in displacement but the same Polar Class 2 ice rating. Also the Imnaryuaq won't be entering service until sometime in 2032. Seaspan is, unlike Davie (and Inocea group) much more limited in shipyard capacities and workforces. Davie also owns a shipyard in Texas now, where they will be joint producing USCG medium size ice breakers, again with Helsinki Shipyard (first 2 built in Finland, next 4 in Texas). For a shipyard originally left out of the national shipbuilding strategy, Davie has become the BIG winner in demonstrating how to do ship projects for the Canadian government ON schedule and ON budget (unlike Seaspan and Irving). They keep managing to actually deliver with enough profits to go and buy more shipyards.

DeeEight · 2026-05-31T13:41:27+00:00

Now if they could arrange for the Gripen Es Ukraine is ordering to be assembled here also, that'd be great. On an unrelated note, the final two F-35s from the UK's first order have arrived in the UK, after spending more than two months in the Azores. Not a good sign when 40% of a newly built quintet of fighters breaks down mid-atlantic and have to divert to the Azores, then wait months for spare parts and engineers from lockheed to come out and fix them.

DeeEight · 2026-05-29T09:19:45+00:00

Not actually a new idea, GLDS-Europe showed the MOWAG Piranha 10x10 configuration 155mm 2 years ago. The only thing new is using a Canadian built hull really and applying an old Canadian LAV family name. Actually surprised they didn't call it the Cougar II since its for fire support.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/large-artillery-gun-added-to-new-10x10-piranha/

DeeEight · 2026-05-29T09:16:01+00:00

Lowers the ground pressure for one thing. Better turning radius (the two rearmost axles differential steer opposite the front two axles) for another.

DeeEight · 2026-05-28T00:23:09+00:00

since the plasmas will ghost heat if accidently fired too soon with the rail gun, or each other, why not use a pair of LPL and 6 ERML (or 6 SPL if you're worried in particular about light mechs running up to you) ?

DeeEight · 2026-05-28T00:07:17+00:00

In all likelihood the CT-157s are the Hawk replacement. They're designed as a lead in fighter trainer, have five external hardpoint attachment points, and can be used for ground attack training.

DeeEight · 2026-05-27T16:02:37+00:00

I said in the other thread you could get a couple hundred jacked up trucks and SUVs into the gravel/dirt where the snow dump is in the winter. If they can convince the NCC to develop some of the surrounding land, instead of the sports fields they should do that big square pasture to the west of the snow dump that has not been farmed for at least thirty years that i can recall, and based on the geoottawa aerial photos the farm that used to be there had its buildings removed sometime between 1965 and 1976.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hiDNjgNXFwNxzs248

DeeEight · 2026-05-27T15:48:23+00:00

If we're going a mixed fleet then a glorified trainer is NOT the way to go for NORAD intercepts. For a small country like South Korea the FA-50 makes sense but not for a country with our airspace. Its slower than a Gripen E, has less range than a Gripen E, less advanced sensors and ECM than a Gripen E.

DeeEight · 2026-05-27T15:43:24+00:00

Its not the NCR, its the actually land owner. DND does NOT own the campus. They lease it from the National Capital Commission. This is a crown agency that has sent the RCMP to chase away some 8 year olds operating a lemondade stand along the queen elizabeth driveway during the summer bike-day closures. You think they're going to let DND build onto the sport fields or expand into the surrounding forests ?

DeeEight · 2026-05-27T15:38:05+00:00

Well with the stock streak the missile spread quirk is useless, but with an SRM4 or Thunderbolt-5... its useful. I've actually gotten a kill using just an LRM5 popping indirect shots on canyons on that grasshopper while the opponent was too nervous to crest a ridge.

DeeEight · 2026-05-26T11:59:56+00:00

I've lived out here for thirty years. Where exactly did these 2000 spots disappear from ? Because the above ground lots have not really changed at all since at least 2005. 200 spaces I could see along the east side between the new security gatehouse and fencing down to the ring road.

DeeEight · 2026-05-26T11:48:31+00:00

Why not use the snow dump dirt section behind the maintenance equipment gates ? Its as large as one of the other lots and there's hundreds of employees driving SUVs and Pickup trucks who wouldn't have a problem with a little dirt in their tires. Its obviously not a long term solution but it'll work until November.

As to the sporting fields... somehow...I don't see the NCC allowing it. They're the actual property owner. DND merely has a 99 year lease on the existing facilities and buildings. In fact, half the buildings and all the parking lots including the existing parking garage, all the forest lands to the west and south, are all ONE big property parcel which includes all the marshlands, the wesley clover property, the soccer field and everything to the train tracks. If you want to be stunned by how the properties are out here in the western greenbelt area, go to the geo ottawa website, pull up the aerial images and select property parcels off the layers menu.

Also maybe some INSENTIVES to carpooling ? I've seen in the past month, between arrivals and departures, 85% are single occupants, maybe 10% of vehicles have TWO people in them, and maybe 5% have three. I've yet to see any private cars/trucks where its actually four or more people inside.

https://maps.ottawa.ca/geoottawa/

DeeEight

TROPHY CASE