Airbus CC-150 Polaris
| CC-150 Polaris | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A Royal Canadian Air Force Polaris taking off from Ottawa Airport | |
| Role | Strategic transport/VIP transport/tanker |
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| Designer | Airbus |
| Introduction | 1997 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary users | Canadian Forces Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Number built | 5 |
| Developed from | Airbus A310 |
| Variants | Airbus A310 MRTT |
The Airbus CC-150 Polaris is the designation for the civilian Airbus A310-300s which have been converted for use as the primary long distance transport aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Contents |
[edit] Design and development
The CC-150 replaced the Boeing CC-137 (converted Boeing 707) in 1997. The five Airbus aircraft were originally purchased by Wardair and were transferred to Canadian Airlines when the two airlines merged in 1989. They were subsequently purchased by the Canadian Forces from Canadian Airlines. As a result of the renaming of Air Command to the Royal Canadian Air Force, the RCAF now has control of the CC150. The purchase included a support contract for service of the aircraft for a fixed number of flying hours. Today, the aircraft are still totally maintained by Air Canada employees.
[edit] Tanker Conversion
Two of the five CC-150s have been converted to air-to-air refueling tankers for the CF-18 fleet as CC-150Ts. This was a capability that was lost when the CC-137s were retired. The conversion is part of the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) program. The MRTT program was initiated because of a German Air Force (Luftwaffe) requirement and provided a cost effective solution for the CF.
The CF has used converted C-130s, RCAF designation CC-130H(T), for training of CF-18 crews, but has relied on allied air forces for refueling tankers when the CF-18s have been deployed.
The first converted CC-150T completed its acceptance trials in May 2008.[1]
[edit] Operational history
Four of the five aircraft were converted to the Combi-Freighter standard with a reinforced floor and side opening cargo door. The fifth was redone as a VIP transport aircraft for government executive transport.
The Polaris is classified as a strategic airlifter by the Royal Canadian Air Force. The CC-150 is able to carry cargo and personnel over long distances, but it lacks the oversize cargo capacity and ability to operate from austere locations which are a common requirement of military airlift. The Canadian Forces rely on other heavy lift cargo aircraft for these kinds of operations.
The five CC-150s are operated by 437 Squadron at CFB Trenton, Ontario.
Two CC-150T air-to-air refueling tankers were deployed to support Canadian CF-188 fighter jets that enforce the no-fly zone over Libya under Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector.[2]
[edit] Variants
- CC-150
- VIP transport/Strategic Airlifter
- CC-150T
- Aerial refueling tanker
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications
 |
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them. |
- Length: 46.66 m (153 ft)
- Wingspan: 43.9 m (144 ft)
- Height: 15.8 m (51.8 ft)
- Maximum Gross Weight: 157,000 kg (346, 200 lbs)
- Empty Weight: 80,000 kg (176, 400 lbs)
- Power: 2 GE CF6-80C2A2 jet engines
- Speed: Mach .84 (max) (1029 km/h)
- Ceiling:12,500 m (41,000 ft)
- Range: 9,600 km (6,000 mi)
- Load: Up to 32,000 kg
- Passengers: 194
[edit] See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Strategic air-to-air refuelling capability
- ^ "Update on CF Operations in Libya" Canadian Forces website, 22 March 2011
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Airbus A310 MRT |
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
