Canada’s new search and rescue CC-295 fleet will be composed of modern, proven aircraft that will allow the RCAF to conduct more effective search and rescue missions in all weather conditions, including reduced visibility, at long range.
CC-295
The RCAF will operate the new fixed-wing fleet from 19 Wing Comox, 17 Wing Winnipeg, 8 Wing Trenton, and 14 Wing Greenwood; the same locations currently providing search and rescue services across the country. RCAF search and rescue aircraft and personnel are located where they can effectively respond to search and rescue incidents in all regions of Canada, considering factors such as the historical distribution of incidents, aircraft performance, and the co-location of forces with supporting infrastructure.
Fixed-wing search and rescue procurement project
Project Summary
The Government of Canada is acquiring 16 CC-295s to take over the search and rescue duties undertaken by legacy fleets, CC-115 Buffalo aircraft and CC-130H Hercules aircraft.
Airbus Defence and Space is providing a search and rescue solution including a modern and technologically advanced aircraft along with maintenance and support services at four RCAF Wings across Canada until potentially 2042. The solution includes a newly constructed simulator-equipped training centre in Comox, British Columbia.
The new CC-295 Kingfisher will carry out critical, life-saving search and rescue missions across Canada’s vast and challenging territory, including the Arctic.
Using integrated sensors, crews will be able to locate persons or objects—such as downed aircraft—from more than 40 kilometres away, even in low-light conditions. This will contribute to improving the overall effectiveness of searches. It is anticipated that the on-scene search time will be reduced with the use of these enhanced sensor capabilities, and the aircraft will be more reliable and available more often than current fleets.
The aircraft will also use state-of-the-art communications systems that will allow search and rescue personnel to share real-time information with partners on the ground.
Throughout the transition to the CC-295, aircraft from existing fleets will be operated to maintain search and rescue capabilities.
Implementation
- Project approval implementation: December 1, 2016
- Contract award: December 1, 2016
- First delivery in Spain: December 18, 2019
- Initial operational capability: 2025-2026
- Full operational capability: 2029-2030
- Close-out: 2030-2031
Project Costs
Initial Contract
The initial contract was for $2.4 billion* and covered 11 years (to 2027). These costs included:
- First six years of acquisition, transition and set-up
- Following five years of in-service support
Extended in-service support
Following the first 11 years, the department has an option to extend in-service support for up to 15 years (to 2042). The government may exercise these options in increments of one to three years based on contract performance.
In October 2020 through a contract amendment, Canada exercised the first option year of in-service support, leaving 14 years remaining.
In total, the initial contract and the extended in-service support contract could total $4.7 billion*.
* These amounts do not include taxes.
The CC-295 Kingfisher completed the rescue phase of its Operational Test and Evaluation Program, successfully proving Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities in challenging conditions. Achieving this milestone means the aircraft is on track to reach Initial Operational Capability in early 2025 and will be ready to carry out critical, life-saving SAR missions across Canada’s vast and challenging territory.
