|
[1] The CC-115 Buffalo is currently powered by two General Electric 2,970 shp/2,214 kW CT64-410-3 turboprops
(known to the US military as T64-GE-14s). DeHavilland Canada certified civilian DHC-5E Buffalos with 3,133 shp
(2,336 kW) CT64-820-4s. The only T64 variant now in production is the 4,380 shp (3,266 kW) T64-GE-416 turboshaft for
Sikorsky CH-53 helicopters. T64 turboprops are no longer being built.
[2] The C-27 started life in 1970 as the T64-powered Aeritalia G.222, ten of which were sold to the USAF as
C-27As. Alenia introduced the AE2100-powered C-27J as a stablemate to the LockheedMartin C-130J. A marketing
partnership between the firms was dropped when LM unsucessfully entered its C-130J into the USAF / US Army's
troubled Joint Cargo Aircraft program in direct competition with the C-27J.
[3] The Rolls-Royce (formerly Allison) AE2100D3 generates 4590shp – considerably more power than the
Buffalo CT64-410-3's 2,825 shp.
[4] When first preparing this page, we suggested the larger PW150 turboprop as CT64 replacement. Viking Air has
now recommended the PW150 for a new-build Buffalo variant. Fitting PW150s would give a dramatic increase
in performance. That said, less powerful PW127Gs would be a less difficult fit for the nacelles. (The related PW120
is in CF service but, at 2,000 shp, isn't powerful enough for the Buffalos.)
[5] A CT64-820/PW127G comparison – take-off power: 2,825 shp/2,920 shp; length: 10.20"/84.00"; width 26.90/26.00";
height 40.40"/33.00".
[6] In 1987, to extend the useful lives of the CC-130Es, their 4,200 shp Allison T56-A-7 turboprops were
replaced with 'H model 4,591 shp T56-A-15s. 25 'E and older 'H models will be retired so
considerable stocks are available for remaining 'Hs and any potential conversions.
[7] Cascade Aerospace at YXX won the CC-130 Optimized Weapon System Management (OWSM) maintenance contract in October
2005. 'Herc Solutions' involves Cascade (prime contractor), Marshall's, Derco, and Standard Aero
(the existing engine contractor for CF T56s).
|
Buffalo Wings with Hot Sauce: Re-Engined CC-115s?
sought (GE only makes turboshaft versions of the T64 family [1] now) or if a new engine type would be
considered.
If a totally new engine type is being considered, a look at other T64 swaps is obvious. The 
If Canadian content were a consideration (the Buffalo is a Canadian design, after all) another engine type
[4] suggests itself – Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW127G. This turboprop is a near perfect
match [5] for CT64s but isn't fitted to any CF aircraft. Ironically, PW127Gs do power a
potential Buffalo replacement – the C-295.
With the limited remaining life of the Buffalo fleet, one other possibility occurs – with
CC-130Es retiring, the CF will have spare T56-A-15 turboprops available. These T56 engines are are much younger
than the airframes they powered. [6] And T56s have three bonuses – they are in stock, have more time
left than Buffs, and Hercs are maintained in Abbotsford. [7] An additional bonus,
if these Buffalo engine conversions proceed, is time gained to reconsider DND's position on