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Canadian Forces Aircraft — Bombardier CC-144
Challenger |
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The six CC-144 Challengers gain little attention. Four of these jet aircraft serve as VIP transports,
the other two operate in the utility role. CC-144s tend to get bad press when media notices them at all.
In part, this is due to the ‘optics’ inherent in cabinet ministers ‘pampered’ in
executive jets. This perception was reinforced in 2002 when the Chrétien government ordered two new executive
model Challengers for use by Cabinet. [1] This untendered order (amounting to $101M+) caused a
political storm in light of the lack of movement on higher priority procurement items.
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CC-144s were more plentiful in the past – 18 Challengers of different models have served as transports,
patrol aircraft, and electronic ‘spoofers’. Many of the early Challengers were withdrawn
in 2000 as an economy measure and sold. [2] All of the CE-144 ‘spoofers’ would be replaced by
private contractor aircraft. [3] All maritime patrol duty reverted back to the Aurora fleet.
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CC-144 (604) Challenger
— Specs
Dimen:
[4] |
Span 19.6m, wing area 41.8
m²,
length 20.85m, ht. 6.3m |
| Power: |
2 x 38.8kN GE CF-34-3Bs |
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Ceiling: |
Service 12496 m (41000 ft) |
| Range: |
6236 km (3365 nm) max |
| Weight: |
21591 kg (MTOW) |
Speed:
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882 km/h (max. cruise)
787km/h,
(econ. cruise) |
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The two dark blue utility Challengers do deserve more attention. Their use as mid- range
transports might lack glamour but these CC-144s are convertible to medevac configuration, often
flying wounded CF members back to Canada from the military hospitals in Germany. For that alone,
the Challenger deserves a higher profile. So why are CC-144s unpopular with the Air Force? It may
be their ownership by Transport Canada makes the Challengers seem less military or it may be the confusion of
having three sub-types in service. [5] Still, there are roles for a fast, long-range aircraft beyond flying VIPs.
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[1] These new aircraft were CL-604s – a Bombardier/Canadair model number. Of the remaining early
Challengers, one VIP (Administrative Flight Services or AFS in CF parlance) aircraft is a CL-600S model,
the other is a CL-601 model. The two utility Challengers are both 601s.
[2] Initially, six of the CF’s 10 patrol and ‘electric’ Challengers were to be
eliminated. Then it was decided to stand-down 434 Sqn and to dispose of most of the Challengers.
Eight aircraft were sold off while the two CE-144s were converted back into CC-144 utility transports. For a
complete listing of Canadian Forces CC-144 and CE-144 Challengers, see Bill Walker’s Canadian Military Aircraft Serial
Numbers.
[3] The Contracted Airborne Training Services is an Alternative Service Delivery plan substituting aircraft and
crews provided by private contractor. Top Aces Consulting uses ex-Luftwaffe Dassault Dornier Alpha
Jet training aircraft to ‘spoof ’ attack Canadian naval vessels.
[4] Specifications given on the CF’s CC-144 page differ. There are as follows: span 18.84 m, length 20.85m,
height 5.84 m, max gross weight 18779 kg, range 2200–3200 nm. However, the page also includes in the CC-144
current equipment, “Electronic warfare training equipment”.
[5] There is a general Air Force hostility to Canadian-made aircraft, springing from a fear of having
inappropriate equipment foisted upon them. However, procurement choices are political by nature. Put another
way, why shouldn’t procurement benefit the nation’s industries?
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