The military aircraft Canada has selected as its new transport workhorse has received poor reviews from some countries now using the plane and has significant limitations in what it can do, according to a Defence Department report produced last year.
Another 2005 briefing presented to Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier also details that the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is limited in how high and fast it can fly and would require a significant change in the amount of support needed to run a transport aircraft fleet.
The records, obtained by the Citizen under the Access to Information law, outline the divisions within the Forces about the C-130J, selected last month as the winner of the $4.9-billion tactical airlift program.
Some officers are strong supporters of the aircraft and believe it is the right plane to replace the military's aging fleet of C-130 Hercules.
Others, however, have raised concerns about the aircraft. The 2005 draft study issued by the Defence Department outlined serious deficiencies with the C-130J that were identified by the U.S. government, including inadequate range and payload. "The bottom line with regards to the C130J is that although it looks like the venerable old C130, it has yet to officially achieve the same level of operational capability as its forbears," the report concludes.
It points out the C-130J has "significant operational limitations" as well as noting that informal correspondence obtained from some of the airplane's users is "almost universally negative."
The names of the militaries that provided their opinions on the C-130J have been censored from the document for reasons of national security.
Lockheed Martin argues that any claims about problems with the aircraft are old news and the planes are performing flawlessly in combat operations with a number of militaries.
In the April 2005 briefing to Gen. Hillier, air force officers outlined pros and cons of the C-130J. They detailed the positive aspects of the C-130J, noting it has an advanced technology cockpit, improved engines and a versatile airframe. It has also successfully completed a high number of combat missions.
But the same briefing pointed out that the plane's maximum altitude is limited and it uses fuel at a higher rate than advertised. The purchase of the aircraft would also require "significant change in infrastructure and support," including engineering, training and maintenance. In addition, the cruise speed advertised by Lockheed Martin can't be reached without "significantly impacting engine life," according to the briefing.
The officers used the briefing to argue against using the C-130J in any kind of long-range strategic role.
On Tuesday in the Commons, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said there are no technical problems whatsoever with the C-130J. He staunchly defended the aircraft, noting that the Canadian Forces picked it as the best to meet its needs.
Defence Department spokesman Jeremy Sales said yesterday that the procurement process that selected the C-130J is competitive, fair and transparent.
"Like any new piece of equipment, the C-130J has had some development challenges," Mr. Sales said.
"The aircraft is moving towards becoming a mature platform that will meet the needs of the Canadian Forces."
Opposition MPs have questioned why the Harper government is spending $4.9 billion to purchase an aircraft they claim is essentially similar to some of the C-130 Hercules now flying with the Canadian Forces.
Lockheed Martin points out that its aircraft meets all the performance and operational requirements set out by Canada.
"As the only compliant respondent, Lockheed Martin is pleased to meet Canada's urgent need to replace its aging C-130 fleet," said company spokesman Peter Simmons.
The Canadian government will spend $3.2 billion to buy 17 of the aircraft and another $1.7 billion for a 20-year in-service support contract for the planes.
Lockheed Martin, as the prime contractor, will be responsible for the maintenance contract as well.
But some air force planners have questioned the need to purchase the C-130J. In an October 2004 presentation made to senior military leaders, they argued the air force's priorities should be to buy four C-17 strategic lift planes as well as immediately replace the aging Buffalo aircraft used for search-and-rescue missions. The giant C-17s, along with the newer model C-130s already in Canadian Forces inventory, could handle the military's transport needs, they argued.
Some air force officers see the purchase of new search-and-rescue planes as critical to ensuring the service can continue to provide that capability to Canadians, particularly those on the West Coast.
Instead, the government proceeded with a plan to buy the C-17 and the C-130J.
Negotiations are ongoing on those two programs, but contracts are expected to be signed by next year.
The search-and-rescue aircraft replacement program has been stalled, but it is expected to be included in the defence capability plan to be released in the coming months.
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