Volume 31 Issue 6: Special Army Edition
By Peter Kitchen, Editor-in-Chief
Letter from the Editor
Back in 1995 when we published the very first issue of CDR, we chose to feature on the front cover the CH-146 Griffon helicopter, at that time, a relatively recent addition to the Canadian Forces fleet. As I sit here today looking to put into context the Cover Story in our current issue, I’m struck by the parallels, and the timing couldn’t be more appropriate.
READ: Cover Story on Bell
Today, some 30 years after that premier issue showcased the Griffon, we are profiling an aircraft that Bell Helicopter – also builder of the CH-146 Griffon, based on the 412 commercial airframe – is proposing to replace it all these years later. The MV-75 is an extremely sophisticated and capable tilt-rotor aircraft that could more than satisfy the requirements of Canada’s current nTACS program.
At this year’s AUSA conference in Washington, D.C., we asked CDR’s European Bureau Chief, Tim Mahon, to sit down with Bell representatives to learn all about MV-75 and how it might be suitable for Canadian needs. Clearly, the MV-75’s technological capabilities far exceed those of the 1995 era helicopter that it would technically replace.
And, by the way, when we chose to feature the CH-146 on the cover back in 1995, it was for a number of reasons. One, it was new technology; two, it was built in Canada; three. it was going to be a workhorse for the Canadian Forces.
Well, here again there are parallels because Bell still manufactures helicopters in Canada at its Mirabel facility, as a matter of fact, while it would not build the MV-75 there, it does still build all of Bell’s commercial aircraft. And the company remains a critical pillar of Canada’s aerospace industry employing around 1,600 individuals, many highly trained engineers. While the company has leaned up its operations since the days of peak CH-146 production, it continues to manufacture for export the Bell 412 EPX,429 and 505 models. In fact, this year Bell celebrated the 6,000th helicopter built at its Canadian factory.
As you’ll learn in Tim’s piece on MV-75, it’s an aircraft that offers Canada solutions to problems like reaching and servicing northern regions of this vast country with greater efficiency.
Marc Bigaouette is Director of Canadian Government Programs for Bell and over the years he’s been extremely helpful to CDR in explaining just how his company can best serve the needs of Canada’s military.
In a nutshell, Bigaouette, himself a former CF Helicopter pilot, says, “MV-75 is a one platform, multiple mission offering.” As you’ll read, he certainly sees this aspect of the aircraft as a key differentiator.
For our Cover Story, Marc told CDR, “This platform offers multiple options and speaks to the three leading requirements for nTACS – tactical mobility, firepower and the ability to integrate uncrewed assets in the longer term.”
For all the very latest on MV-75 (formerly the V-280 Valor) and how Canada might benefit from its exceptional capabilities, we urge you to read our Cover Story in this issue.
READ: CDR’s Premier Issue here
For comments on this column or other items in CDR email us at: Comments@CanadianDefenceReview.com
1 thought on “Special Army Edition – Canadian Defence Review”
The MV-75 looks like a good platform, but it is an American made solution to a Canadian requirement. It would be better to fulfill this requirement with a made in Canada solution, like an updated version of the CL-84 Dynavert which is a proven VTOL transport design.
Right now we are in a trade war with a nation whose leader wants to incorporate Canada as the 51st State or, at the very least, turn Canada into an American vassal. This is a serious threa5 and needs to be countered. It’s time for made in Canada solutions.
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