CH-146 Griffon Limited Life Extension
Project summary
The Griffon Limited Life Extension (GLLE) project will extend the life of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of 85 CH-146 Griffon helicopters to at least 2031. To do so, we will:
- replace a number of the aircraft’s avionics systems, including communications radios and cryptographic equipment, cockpit voice and flight recorders, navigation systems, automatic flight control systems, and control display units,
- upgrade the cockpit displays,
- upgrade engines, and
- integrate sensor systems.
The project will also upgrade flight simulation and training devices to ensure alignment with the fleet modifications, and the provision of equipment and spare parts.
The CH-146 is a proven, durable utility tactical transport helicopter that fills a number of functions. It has participated in tactical troop transport, reconnaissance, escort and surveillance, casualty evacuation, disaster relief, special operations aviation support, and search and rescue.
Project Phases
Currently in Phase 3: Definition
1. Identification
1. Identification
- November 2010
2. Options analysis
2. Options analysis
- March 2013
3. Definition
3. Definition
- January 2019
4. Implementation
4. Implementation
- Contract award: 2022
- Initial operational capability: 2024
- Full operational capability: 2027
5. Close-out
5. Close-out
- 2028
Learn more about the Defence procurement process
Additional information
Project updates
Project updates
January 26, 2019
The Government of Canada announces that Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited will perform design work for the definition phase.
January 11, 2019
Expenditure authority is approved and the project enters the definition phase.
Benefiting Canadian industry
Benefiting Canadian industry
Industrial and regional benefits:
Griffon Limited Life Extension
Contractors
Some of the links below lead to external websites that may be available in English only.
Technical information
Technical information
CH-146 Griffon technical specifications
- Length: 17.1 metres
- Rotor span: 14 metres
- Height: 4.6 metres
- Empty weight: 3,500 kilograms
- Power: Pratt & Whitney’s PT6T‑3D engine
- Maximum speed: 260 kilometres per hour
- Range: 656 kilometres
- Crew: 2 pilots, 1 flight engineer
- Passengers: up to 12
- Years procured: 1995-1997
- Number of aircraft: 85
- Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter
- Locations:
- Bagotville, QC
- Borden, ON
- Cold Lake, AB
- Edmonton, AB
- Gagetown, NB
- Goose Bay, NL
- Petawawa, ON
- St. Hubert, QC
- Trenton, ON
- Valcartier, QC
Project costs
Project costs
The cost of the project is:
- Up to $90 million for the definition phase
- Up to $800 million for the span of the Griffon Limited Life Extension project
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