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The military cant say at this point when C-295 fixed-wing aircraft will be available for missions.

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The Canadian militarys new fleet of search-and-rescue aircraft wont be operating this summer as originally planned because of delays caused by the pandemic and other technical issues.

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The military cant say at this point when C-295 fixed-wing aircraft will be available for missions.

National Defence spokesperson Dan Le Bouthillier said the plan was to have the new aircraft reach an initial operational capability in the summer. However this timeline is shifting to allow for aircraft certification and qualification which has been running longer than anticipated as a result of the volume and complexity of the work associated with developing the CC-295 capability, and the global COVID-19 pandemic situation, he explained in an email.

A revised schedule is currently being subjected to an extensive analysis that itself will take some time to complete because of its complexity, Le Bouthillier added.

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Sources told this newspaper there are also technical concerns regarding a centre-of-gravity issue due to the cabin configuration of the CC-295, commonly referred to as C-295, as well as problems involving search-and-rescue technicians parachuting from the planes back ramp.

Were aware of the parachute and gravity issues, which is why we conduct testing and trials, Le Bouthillier confirmed. In short, these are problems that will be addressed as we work towards ensuring the fleet is safe for operational use.

Canada announced in December 2016 that it was purchasing 16 C-295 aircraft for fixed-wing search and rescue as part of a $2.2-billion project. Initial operational capability for the new fleet was supposed to be mid-2021. That was later revised to summer 2022.

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Le Bouthillier said there are currently four C-295 aircraft in Canada and five at the manufacturers facility in Spain. Aircraft qualification work was ongoing in both locations, he added.

Earlier this month, the Royal Canadian Air Force removed from service its aging Buffalo search-and-rescue planes. Until the C-295s become operational, Hercules aircraft from Winnipeg will be used for search-and-rescue response on the west coast. Some of those aircraft will be based out of Comox, B.C., during the high-tempo period in the summer and will hold response posture from their home base at 17 Wing Winnipeg during periods of low operational tempo, according to the RCAF. In addition, up to five Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters will be available.

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But that type of interim solution is dangerous, says the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union-Unifor, which represents those involved in the west coast fishing industry.

We are working all-year-round, union president James Lawson said. Emergencies just dont happen during the busy season.

Lawson noted that fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft were essential to any response to an emergency and were able to cover large search areas. If a Hercules has to travel from Winnipeg to get to the west coast rescue location, that puts those seeking help at risk, he added.

Lawson said the union would raise the issue with members of Parliament and hope they respond. It doesnt seem right to begin with that we have to ask MPs to make sure were treated properly, he said. We shouldnt have to argue for safety.

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The Hercules aircraft, which are already widely used in a search-and-rescue role, are capable of responding quickly to emergencies such as ships in distress in challenging weather, the RCAF says. They can be used to parachute search-and-rescue technicians, emergency gear and food, life rafts, bailing pumps, arctic survival gear and illumination flares to support rescue missions.

The interim capability involving the Hercules will be in place until the new C-295 fleet is fully operational. That could happen in 2024 or 2025.

The RCAF says it had no choice but to remove the Buffalo aircraft from service. The fleet underwent a life extension program, which ensured the planes were able to safely and effectively support search-and-rescue operations up to Jan. 15, 2022. With the life extension program now concluded, the Buffalo was no longer able to support operations, the RCAF noted.

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Canadian military's new search and rescue aircraft wont be operating this summer - Ottawa Sun