It has been the opinion of this weblog that soul-sourced next generation fighter F-35 for Canada seemed operationally antecedent to the Canadian air force's philosophy. Yet the present governments decision not to present any alternative will eventually cost Canadians long after the Harper government is relegated to the annals of Canadian history. But are there any real alternatives to the F-35? Many other sources think there are.
Firstly, Canada has always said a dual engine front line CAP (Combat Air Patrol) aircraft is a baseline requirement, as the expanse of the Canadian wilderness and coastline make reliance on a single engine plane risky. Furthermore, betting the Canadian air force's future on a plane that has not been fielded is not PRUDENT. It now become clear that there has been a shift in the baseline requirement for the next generation of Canadian fighter patrol aircraft. Stealth is the overriding factor in the governments procurement in light of our increased bellicose stance and need for global power projection.
One of the best ways to compare the F-35 and the CF-18 is in terms of pure statistics, and there has been lots of comparisons in the media between the two (see National Post July 16, 2010 post here). Comparing these two planes, the F-35 has 40% shorter range, is 8% slower and has 50% less engines. The super hornet (E/F variants) has very similar characteristics to the hornet but with larger fuel and weapons capacity along with an electronic warfare version that enhances both the strike and survivability role of the aircraft. It would seem the F-18E/F is a better choice on paper, except the present government insists stealth trumps all of these factors.
Canada wants to move on to a next generation aircraft, a fifth generation aircraft, with stealth and super cruise capability. A fighter bomber that is militarily integrated with its NATO allies and US force projection. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program fits that requirement, and looks to correct a policy decision that was made between the F-16 and the F-18 back in 1982.
It seems Canada does not want to be pushed to a level 2 partner with a non-fifth generation stealth fighter and have a stealth enhanced forth-generation fighter like those on offer to other US allies like Singapore, India, and south Korea. They propose stealth upgrades like those on the F-15 silent eagle sporting conformal fuel tanks, enhanced engines, enclosed weapons pods and enhanced infra-red search and track (IRST) systems.
Alternative air craft exist, like the CF-18 super hornet in use on US Aircraft carriers and other countries with similar security issues as Canada (namely Australia).
Yet, with all that said, it is only by looking back on history that we can compare the wisdom of the F-35 acquisition. What alternatives are there or a future aircraft outside of the F-35 that will meet both a fiscal and NATO interoperable niche?
CF-18 C/D Super Hornet?
Super hornet is a great plane. With the option of dual engines, an electronic warfare variant and the fact we already use CF-18's as our main fighter fleet, reducing retraining and retooling costs.
The performance characteristics of the super hornet is undeniable, but so would the purchase of the F-15 silent eagle with its dual engines, massive electronically scanned synthetic aperture radar.
So what is the ideal requirement for a next generation Canadian fighter? That depends mainly on our defense posture. Canada has mainly fraught wars with NATO and as part of a US led coalition and served as Command and Control, light infantry and air support. The F-25 would mean Canada can take the lead in air combat and even go it alone if required. "Unable to take the lead or go it alone" has been a key critique of European allies.
Next: Canadian Air Power 2020
