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A Modest Proposal
— TF ODIN a model for CF Battlefield ISR? |
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Update 09 Dec 2009:
Canada has ordered two larger King Air 300s outfitted as ISR aircraft. The concept of using the smaller B90
King Air has been proven in Iraq by contractor Dynamic Aviation. However, the King Air 300 more closely
matches the US Army's TF ODIN C-12R.
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The US Army's Task Force ODIN takes a team approach
to detecting, observing, and striking insurgents placing IEDs. As an expedient, in-service Beech C-12R King Airs have been equipped
with the same sensors as Predator UAVs. These light
transport aircraft are simple to fly and need none of the 'Ground Control Stations' or the
other back-up required by UAVs. Considering the difficulties experienced by DND in procuring medium UAVs, are we not compelled to follow the US
Army's modest example?
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Leased Beechs & Alternative Service Delivery
Kings Airs already serve the Canadian Forces. Leased B200 King Airs entered CF
service as CT-145 in 1990. When CF multi-engine training was replaced an ASD system, the two CT-145s were eclipsed
by a fleet of smaller B90 King Air models owned by contractors (first Bombardier C90As, now Allied Wings
C90Bs). [1] ASD aircraft don't carry CF designations and are main- tained by contractors. The contractors also supply and operate C90 flight simulators (below).
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All CF multi-engine pilots have experience with King Airs and instructors are 'current' on the
smaller Beech C90. So, the question is: could the sensor suite and operator workstations of the TF ODIN Beech
be installed in a C90B? The US model's synthetic aperture radar and E/O sensor turret are simply installed in a
modified under-belly baggage pod. [2] In all likelihood, that pod can be bolted to C90s
without change. If the short C90 fuselage dictates a truncated pod, the E/O turret can be relocated to the
nose (C90 nose extension kits exist already). The C90 already has a quick-change interior so it would be compara-
tively simple to install workstations. But technical issues are not the key here.
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The technology can be made to fit existing aircraft types. So, if larger-scale upgrade projects fail to deliver [3]
and procurement needs such as medium UAVs can't get past Cabinet, it becomes essential to make the best of
current skills (multi-engine instructors) and familiar, off-the-shelf aircraft. C90Bs are readily available for
purchase or lease. Higher performance derivatives can be bought new – the C90GT – or created through
upgrade kits. [4] The goal is not to procure perfect airframes, rather it is to get suitable aircraft
to Afghanistan to safeguard soldiers from IEDs.
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[1] Multi-engine training is done at 3 CF Flying Training School at Portage la Prairie (Southport),
MB as an ASD (Alternative Service Deli- very program, in this case Contracted Flight Training and Support).
Contractors chose the smaller King Air C90B for reasons of economy.
[2] Most of the modifications mentioned here are already covered by civilian STCs (Supplemental Type Certificates).
The under-belly pod (Catpass 60 cu-ft cargo pod) is STC SA2451CE. The extended nose (by Sierra Nevada) is SA00367SE.
Quiet 4-blade props are SA3593NM.
[3] A case in point is the CP-140
Aurora. As recently as Jan. 2008, MND MacKay was describing the Aurora as
"Canada's strategic intel- ligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft". But gone are
the usual tack-ons about "over land" and "anywhere in the world".
[4] The best-known conversion kits are the Silverhawk 135 and Blackhawk XP. Both exchange stock PT6A-21
engines with PT6A-135As which are derated from 750shp to 550shp (improving high-altitude performance and extending
engine life). C90As with 3-bladed propellers can be fitted with quieter 4-blade props (as on the C90B and C90GT).
Obviously military equipment kits are less readily available. However the defensive aids used on US Army C-12Rs are
already in CF service – AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System and AN/ALE-47 chaff/decoy flare dispensers are
used on Canadian CC-130 and CC-117 transports, CF-18 fighters, and CH-124 helicopters among others.
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An imitation of TF ODIN's approach to countering IED teams requires a band of coordinated aircraft types
linked
to ground controllers and real-time image analysis. Any CF analogue would match the C90s with
short-endurance 
CF don't own attack helicopters only utility Griffons – not ideal but a bird-in-hand.
Casualties in Afghanistan are mostly caused by IEDs. Can anything be more urgent than finding IED
teams?