View source for Royal Canadian Air Force

{{Short description|Air and space component of the Canadian Armed Forces}}
{{Hatnote group|{{Redirect|RCAF}}{{Redirect|Canadian Air Force|earlier organizations|Canadian Air Force (1918–1920)|and|Canadian Air Force (1920–1924)}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Royal Canadian Air Force
| native_name = {{lang|fr|Aviation royale canadienne}}
| image = Royal Canadian Air Force Badge.svg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = [[#Badge|Badge of the RCAF]]
| start_date = {{ubl|1 April 1924|({{Age in years and months|1924|04|01}})|(''as Royal Canadian Air Force'')}}
----
{{ubl|17 May 1920|({{Age in years and months|1920|05|17}})|(''as [[Canadian Air Force (1920–1924)]]'')}}
----
{{ubl|1 August 1918|({{Age in years and months|1918|08|01}})|(''as [[Canadian Air Force (1918–1920)]]'')}}
----
{{ubl|1 September 1914|({{Age in years and months|1914|09|01}})|(''as [[Canadian Aviation Corps]]'')}}
----
| country = Canada
| branch = 
| type = [[Air force|Air]] and [[space force]]
| role = {{ubl|[[Aerial warfare]]|[[Space warfare]]|[[Airlift]]}}
| size = {{ubl|390 aircraft <ref>https://abbotsfordairshow.com/canada-fighter-jet-fleet-in-2025/</ref> (40 percent of aircraft assessed as "serviceable" in early 2025)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/f35-contract-royal-canadian-air-force-1.7487233 | title=Only 40% of air force inventory ready for action as Canada rethinks its F-35 contract | access-date=11 July 2025 |last=Brewster |first=Murray | website=CBC |date=19 March 2025 }}</ref>|Personnel:|{{*}}Regular Force: 12,074 Regular force members<ref name="size"/>|{{*}}Reserve Force: 1,969 Reserve force members<ref name="size"/>|{{*}}Civilian members: 1,518 civilian members<ref name="size">{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/transition-materials/defence-101/2020/03/defence-101/rcaf.html|access-date=2021-12-31|date=2021-09-30|title=Key facts}}</ref>}}
| command_structure = [[Canadian Armed Forces]]
| garrison = [[National Defence Headquarters (Canada)|National Defence Headquarters]], [[Ottawa]], Ontario, Canada
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname = 
| patron = 
| motto = {{ubl|{{langnf|la|[[Sic itur ad astra]]|Such is the pathway to the stars}}<ref>[http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/hst/page-eng.asp?id=626 "Sic Itur ad Astra – Traditions Motto/Words"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522205229/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/hst/page-eng.asp?id=626 |date=2013-05-22 }} ''National Defence'', 23 April 2009, Retrieved: 1 April 2013.</ref>|{{langnf|la|[[Per ardua ad astra]]|Through adversity to the stars}} 1924–1968)}}
| colours = 
| colours_label = 
| march = [[RCAF March Past]]
| mascot = 
| anniversaries = [[Armed Forces Day#Canada|Armed Forces Day]] (first Sunday of June)
| equipment = 
| equipment_label = 
| battles = * [[Second World War]] <br /> {{*}}[[Battle of Britain]] <br /> {{*}}[[Battle of the Atlantic]] <br /> {{*}}[[Battle of the St. Lawrence]] <br /> {{*}}[[Strategic bombing during World War II|European Bombing campaign]] <br /> {{*}}[[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]]
* [[Korean War]]
* [[Gulf War]] <br /> {{*}}[[Operation Friction]]
* [[Operation Deliberate Force]]
* [[Kosovo War]] <br /> {{*}}[[Operation Echo]]
* [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]]
* [[2011 military intervention in Libya|Intervention in Libya]] <br /> {{*}}[[Operation Unified Protector]] <br /> {{*}}[[Operation Mobile]]
* [[Military intervention against ISIL]] <br /> {{*}}[[Operation Impact]]
| decorations = 
| battle_honours = 
| battle_honours_label = 
| flying_hours = 
| website = {{Official URL}}
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1 = [[Charles III]], [[King of Canada]]
| commander1_label = [[Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2 = [[Lieutenant-General]] Jamie Speiser-Blanchet
| commander2_label = [[Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force|Commander of the RCAF]]
| commander3 = [[Major-General]] Denis O'Reilly
| commander3_label = Deputy Commander of the RCAF
| commander4 = [[Chief Warrant Officer]] Renee J. Hansen
| commander4_label = [[Royal Canadian Air Force Command Chief Warrant Officer|RCAF Command CWO]]
| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol = [[File:Roundel of Canada.svg|80px]] [[File:Roundel of Canada – Low Visibility.svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol_label = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg|80px]] [[File:Fin Flash of Canada – Low Visibility.svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Fin flash]]
| identification_symbol_3 = [[File:Air Force Ensign of Canada.svg|165px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Royal Canadian Air Force Ensign|Ensign]]
| identification_symbol_4 = [[File:Air Force ensign of Canada (1941–1968).svg|165px]]
| identification_symbol_4_label = [[Royal Canadian Air Force Ensign|Ensign (1940-1965)]]
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_fighter = [[CF-18 Hornet]], [[F/A-18 Hornet]]
| aircraft_helicopter = [[Bell 206|CH-139 JetRanger]], [[CH-146 Griffon]], [[CH-47 Chinook|CH-147 Chinook]], [[CH-148 Cyclone]], [[CH-149 Cormorant]]
| aircraft_patrol = [[CP-140 Aurora]]
| aircraft_recon = [[IAI Heron|CU-170 Heron]], [[CE-145C Vigilance]]
| aircraft_trainer = [[Canadair CT-114 Tutor|CT-114 Tutor]], [[de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8|CT-142 Dash-8]], [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II|CT-156 Harvard II]]
| aircraft_transport = [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|CC-130H Hercules]], [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|CC-130J Super Hercules]], [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|CC-138 Twin Otter]], [[Bombardier Challenger 600|CC-144 Challenger]], [[Airbus CC-150 Polaris|CC-150 Polaris]], [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|CC-177 Globemaster III]], [[EADS CASA C-295|CC-295 Kingfisher]], [[CC-330 Husky]]
}}

The '''Royal Canadian Air Force''' ('''RCAF'''; {{langx|fr|Aviation royale canadienne - '''ARC'''|4=Canadian royal aviation}}) is the [[air force|air]] and [[space force]] of Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/space/index.page|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022070922/http://rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/space/index.page|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2020|title=DND/CAF Joint and Combined Space Program|publisher=Royal Canadian Air Force|date=18 September 2020}}</ref> Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/overview.page | title=Royal Canadian Air Force - Mission | publisher=Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence | access-date=19 March 2016 | author=Royal Canadian Air Force | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306114802/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/overview.page | archive-date=6 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified [[Canadian Armed Forces]]. As of 2020, the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of 12,074 [[Regular Force]] and 1,969 [[Primary Reserve]] personnel, supported by 1,518 civilians, and operates 258 manned aircraft and nine [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s.<ref name="size" /><ref>Berthiaume, Lee. [https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-air-forces-new-name-got-lost-in-translation-documents-show "Air force's new name got lost in translation, documents show"]. [https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-air-forces-new-name-got-lost-in-translation-documents-show]  ''Postmedia News'', 29 November 2011.</ref> Lieutenant-General [[Eric Kenny]] is the current [[Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force]] and Chief of the Air Force Staff.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2022 |title=Royal Canadian Air Force welcomes new Commander  |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/08/royal-canadian-air-force-welcomes-new-commander.html |website=National Defence News release |access-date=12 August 2022}}</ref>

The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for all aircraft operations of the Canadian Forces, enforcing the security of Canada's airspace and providing aircraft to support the missions of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] and the [[Canadian Army]]. The RCAF is a partner with the [[United States Air Force]] in protecting continental airspace under the [[North American Aerospace Defense Command]] (NORAD). The RCAF also provides all primary air resources to and is responsible for the [[National Search and Rescue Program]].

The RCAF traces its history to the [[Canadian Air Force (1920–1924)|Canadian Air Force]], which was formed in 1920. The Canadian Air Force was granted royal sanction in 1924 by King [[George V]] to form the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1968, the RCAF was amalgamated with the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] and the [[Canadian Army]], as part of the [[unification of the Canadian Forces]]. Air units were split between several different commands: [[Canadian Forces Air Defence Command|Air Defence Command]] (ADC; interceptors), [[Canadian Forces Air Transport Command|Air Transport Command]] (ATC; airlift, search and rescue), [[Canadian Forces Land Force Command|Mobile Command]] (tactical fighters, helicopters), [[Canadian Forces Maritime Command|Maritime Command]] (anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol), as well as [[Canadian Forces Training Command|Training Command]] (TC).

In 1975, some commands (ADC, ATC, TC) were dissolved, and all air units were placed under a new environmental command called simply '''Air Command''' ('''AIRCOM'''; {{Langx|fr|Commandement aérien|links=no}}). Air Command reverted to its historic name of "Royal Canadian Air Force" in August 2011.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/navy-and-air-force-to-be-royal-once-again-1.1034037 "Canadian Forces name"]. [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/navy-and-air-force-to-be-royal-once-again-1.1034037] CBC. Retrieved 26 September 2011.</ref>

The Royal Canadian Air Force has served in the [[Second World War]], the [[Korean War]], the [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]], as well as several [[United Nations]] peacekeeping missions and [[NATO]] operations. As a NATO member, the force maintained a presence in [[Western Europe|Europe]] during the second half of the 20th century.

==History==
{{main|History of the Royal Canadian Air Force}}

===1920–1945: Pre-unification===
The [[Canadian Air Force (1920–1924)|Canadian Air Force]] (CAF) was established in 1920 as the successor to a short-lived two-squadron [[Canadian Air Force (1918–1920)|Canadian Air Force]] that was formed during the [[First World War]] in Europe. Wing Commander [[John Scott Williams]] was tasked in 1921 with organizing the CAF, handing command over later the same year to Air Marshal [[Lindsay Gordon]].<ref>Associated Press, "R.C.A.F. Founder Taken By Death", ''The Spokesman-Review'', Spokane, Washington, Monday 3 January 1944, Volume 64, Number 134, page 2.</ref> The new Canadian Air Force was a branch of the [[Air Board (Canada)|Air Board]] and was chiefly a training militia that provided refresher training to veteran pilots.<ref>Roberts, Leslie. ''There Shall Be Wings''. Toronto: Clark, Irwin and Co. Ltd., 1959. No ISBN. p. 33</ref><ref>Milberry, Larry, ed. ''Sixty Years—The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924–1984''. Toronto: Canav Books, 1984. {{ISBN|0-9690703-4-9}}. p. 17</ref> Many CAF members also worked with the Air Board's Civil Operations Branch on operations that included [[forestry]], [[Aerial survey|surveying]] and anti-smuggling patrols.<ref>[http://www.canmilair.com/rcafhistory.htm A History of Air Services in Canada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926002302/http://www.canmilair.com/rcafhistory.htm |date=2014-09-26 }} Retrieved: 21 May 2014</ref> In 1923, the CAF became responsible for all flying operations in Canada, including civil aviation. In 1924, the Canadian Air Force, was granted the royal title, becoming the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Most of its work was civil in nature, with forest patrols of the northwest a major part of its operations;<ref name="Wise1994">{{cite book|first1=Sydney F.|last1=Wise|first2=William Alexander Binny|last2=Douglas|title=The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force: The creation of a national air force|year=1980|publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]]|page=93}}</ref> however, in the late 1920s other agencies took up most civil tasks, with the notable exception of aerial photography surveys, and the RCAF evolved into more of a military organization.<ref name="Shores1984">{{cite book|title=History of the Royal Canadian Air Force|first=Christopher F.|last=Shores|publisher=Royce Publications|year=1984|isbn=9780861241606|page=20}}</ref> After budget cuts in the early 1930s, the air force began to rebuild.<ref name="Milberry1984">{{cite book|first=Larry|last=Milberry|title=Sixty years: The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924–1984|year=1984|publisher=CANAV Books|isbn=0969070349}}</ref>{{rp|p=47}}

====Second World War====
[[File:RCAF Typhoon Holland 1944 IWM CL 1598.jpg|thumb|Two armourers of [[440 Transport Squadron|No 440 Squadron RCAF]] re-arming a [[Hawker Typhoon]] in the Netherlands, 1944]]

During the [[Second World War]], the RCAF was a major contributor to the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan#Canada|British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] and was involved in operations in the [[United Kingdom]], Europe, the north Atlantic, [[North Africa campaign|North Africa]], southern Asia, and with home defence. Eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-four Americans came north to volunteer for the RCAF and over 850 died in action.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/bomber-command/americans-in-the-rcaf/ | title=Americans in the RCAF  | date=27 October 2017 |publisher=Bomber Command Museum of Canada |access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> By the end of the war, the RCAF had become the fourth largest Allied air force.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Milberry |editor-first=Larry |title=Sixty Years—The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924–1984 |location=Toronto |publisher=Canav Books |date=1984 |isbn=0-9690703-4-9 |page=97}}</ref>
During World War II the RCAF was headquartered at a six-storey office building at 20-23 [[Lincoln's Inn Fields]] (built 1937), London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buildington.co.uk/buildings/2896/london-wc2/20-23-lincoln-39-s-inn-fields/20-23-lincoln-39-s-inn-fields |title=20-23 Lincoln's Inn Fields |website=Buildington |access-date=July 17, 2023}}</ref> A commemorative plaque can be found on the outside of the building.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://flif.org/the-fields-in-world-war-ii-1939-45/|title=Lincoln's Inn Fields in World War II (1939–45)|website=Friends of Lincoln's Inn Fields|date=29 May 2019 |access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

====1945–1968====
After the war, the RCAF reduced its strength. Because of the rising [[Soviet Bloc|Soviet]] threat to the security of Europe, Canada joined [[NATO]] in 1949, and the RCAF established [[No. 1 Air Division RCAF]] consisting of four wings with three fighter squadrons each, based in France and West Germany. In 1950, the RCAF became involved with the transport of troops and supplies to the [[Korean War]]; however, it did not provide RCAF combat units. Members of the RCAF served in USAF units as exchange officers and several flew in combat. Both auxiliary and regular air defence squadrons were run by [[Air Defence Command (Canada)|Air Defence Command]]. At the same time, the [[Pinetree Line]], the [[Mid-Canada Line]] and the [[DEW Line]] radar stations, largely operated by the RCAF, were built across Canada because of the growing Soviet nuclear threat. In 1957, Canada and the United States created the joint [[North American Air Defense Command]] (NORAD). Coastal defence and peacekeeping also became priorities during the 1950s and 1960s.{{r|"Milberry1984"|p=245, 377}}

===1968–present: Unification===
[[File:Bomarc on launch erector.jpg|thumb|left|An RCAF [[CIM-10 Bomarc]] missile on a launch erector in [[North Bay, Ontario|North Bay]]. Viewed as an alternative to the scrapped [[Avro Arrow]], the Bomarc's adoption was controversial given its nuclear payload.]]
In 1968, the [[Royal Canadian Navy]], Royal Canadian Air Force and [[Canadian Army]] were [[Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces|amalgamated]] to form the unified [[Canadian Forces]]. This initiative was overseen by the Defence Minister, [[Paul Hellyer]]. The controversial merger maintained several existing organizations and created some new ones: In Europe, [[1 Canadian Air Division|No. 1 Canadian Air Group]], operated [[Canadair CF-104 Starfighter]] nuclear strike/attack and reconnaissance under NATO's [[Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force]]; Air Defence Command: operated [[McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo]] interceptors, [[CIM-10 Bomarc]] missiles and the [[SAGE radar stations]] within NORAD; Air Transport Command: provided strategic airlift for the NATO and UN peacekeeping missions; and [[Canadian Forces Training Command|Training Command]]. Aviation assets of the Royal Canadian Navy were combined with the RCAF [[Canadair CP-107 Argus]] long-range patrol aircraft under Maritime Command. In 1975, the different commands, and the scattered aviation assets, were consolidated under Air Command (AIRCOM).

[[File:Operation Inherent Resolve 150304-F-MG591-123.jpg|thumb|right|An RCAF [[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet|CF-18 Hornet]] during [[Operation Impact]], 2015. CF-18s have been used by the RCAF since 1983.]]
In the early 1990s, Canada provided a detachment of CF-18 Hornets for the air defence mission in [[Operation Desert Shield]]. The force performed [[combat air patrol]]s over operations in Kuwait and Iraq, undertook a number of air-to-ground bombing missions, and, on one occasion, attacked an Iraqi patrol boat in the [[Persian Gulf]].

In the late 1990s, Air Command's [[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet|CF-18 Hornet]]s took part in the [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|Operation Allied Force]] in [[Yugoslavia]], and in the 2000s, AIRCOM was heavily involved in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan War]], transporting troops and assets to Kandahar. Later in the decade-long war, AIRCOM set up a purpose-specific air wing, Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing, equipped with several [[Bell CH-146 Griffon|CH-146 Griffon]] and [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|CH-147 Chinook]] helicopters, CC-130 Hercules, [[SAGEM Sperwer|CU-161 Sperwer]] and leased [[IAI Heron|CU-170 Heron]] [[unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]s in support of the Canadian Forces and [[ISAF]] mission. The wing stood down on 18 August 2011.

From 18 March to 1 November 2011, the RCAF was engaged in [[Operation Mobile]], Canada's contribution to [[Operation Unified Protector]] in Libya. Seven CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and several other aircraft served under Task Force Libeccio as part of the military intervention.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-10-20|title=Canada's military contribution in Libya|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-s-military-contribution-in-libya-1.996755|access-date=2021-09-28|website=CBC}}</ref>

On 16 August 2011, the Government of Canada announced that the name "Air Command" was being changed to the air force's original historic name: Royal Canadian Air Force (along with the change of name of Maritime Command to Royal Canadian Navy and Land Force Command to Canadian Army). The change was made to better reflect Canada's military heritage and align Canada with other key [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries whose military units use the royal designation.<ref>Galloway, Gloria. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-to-restore-royal-moniker-to-canadas-navy-air-force/article590957/ "Conservatives to restore 'royal' monikers for navy, air force."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204231812/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-to-restore-royal-moniker-to-canadas-navy-air-force/article590957/ |date=2017-02-04 }} ''The Globe and Mail,'' 15 August 2011. Retrieved: 26 September 2011.</ref>
The RCAF adopted a new badge in 2013, which is similar to the pre-unification RCAF badge (although placed in the modern frame used for command badges). The Latin motto of Air Command{{snd}} {{lang|la|Sic itur ad astra}}{{snd}} which was the motto of the Canadian Air Force when first formed after the First World War (before it became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924) was retained. Though traditional insignia for the RCAF was restored in 2015, there has been no restoration of the traditional uniforms or rank structure of the historical service (apart from a rank of "aviator", which replaced that of "private" in 2015).<ref>Fitzpatrick, Meagan. [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/peter-mackay-hails-royal-renaming-of-military-1.1059811 "Peter MacKay hails 'royal' renaming of military."]  ''CBC News,'' 16 August 2011. Retrieved: 26 September 2011.</ref>

On 17 April 2014, Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]] announced that Canada was dispatching six [[CF-18]]s and military personnel to assist NATO in operations in Eastern Europe.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-sending-frigate-to-nato-security-effort-in-eastern-europe/article18343817/ "Canada sending frigate to join NATO in eastern Europe|."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311034326/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-sending-frigate-to-nato-security-effort-in-eastern-europe/article18343817/ |date=2016-03-11 }} ''The Globe and Mail'', 1 May 2014.</ref>

==Equipment==
===Aircraft===
{{main|List of active Canadian military aircraft|l1=List of active Canadian military aircraft (current inventory only)}}
{{main|List of aircraft of Canada's air forces|l1=List of aircraft of Canada's air forces (complete inventory including retired types)}}

The Royal Canadian Air Force has about 406 aircraft in service{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}, theoretically making it the third-largest air force in the [[Americas]], after the [[United States Armed Forces]], and the [[Brazilian Air Force]]. However, an internal National Defence military readiness report noted that only about 40 percent of aircraft could be considered "serviceable" as of early 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/f35-contract-royal-canadian-air-force-1.7487233 | title=Only 40% of air force inventory ready for action as Canada rethinks its F-35 contract | access-date=11 July 2025 |last=Brewster |first=Murray | website=CBC |date=19 March 2025 }}</ref> A 2025 report by the [[Auditor General of Canada]] found that one of the RCAF's biggest obstacles was a shortage of both trained fighter pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/docs/parl_oag_202506_02_e.pdf | title=Delivering Canada's Future Fighter Jet Capability, Report 2 2025 p. 8 | access-date=12 July 2025 | website=Auditor General of Canada }}</ref>

=== Current inventory ===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;" |Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
| [[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet|CF-18 Hornet (CF-188)]]
| United States
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole]]
| [[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet|CF-18A/B Hornet HEP II]]
| 85
| 98 CF-18A and 40 CF-18B have been delivered for a total of 138. 72 CF-18As and 31 CF-18Bs in inventory, 85 in operational use.<ref name="FI_AirForces_2008">"Directory: World Air Forces". ''[[Flight International]]'', 11–17 November 2008.</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Waldron |first=Greg |date=9 July 2024 |title=Upgraded Canadian CF-18s attain IOC |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/upgraded-canadian-cf-18s-attain-ioc/159065.article |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|FA-18A/B Hornet]]
|United States
|[[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole]]
|[[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|FA-18A/B Hornet HUG 3.2]]
|10
|12 F/A-18A and 6 F/A-18B have been delivered from Australia
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" |[[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]
|-
|[[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora|CP-140 Aurora]]
|United States
|ASW/Patrol
|[[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora|Lockheed CP-140M]]
|14<ref name=":0b">{{Cite web |last=Embraer |first=In association with |title=World Air Forces directory 2025 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/2025-world-air-forces-directory/160846.article |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Flight Global}}</ref>
| Will be replaced by up to 16 [[Boeing P-8|Boeing P-8A]]
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" |[[Reconnaissance aircraft|Reconnaissance]]
|-
|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|CE-145C Vigilance]]
|United States
|[[Surveillance aircraft|surveillance]]/[[Reconnaissance aircraft|reconnaissance]]
|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air 350ER]]
|3<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=5 June 2024 |title=Yesterday, we welcomed the arrival of our third CE-145C Vigilance aircraft at CFB Trenton, all the way from Greenville, Texas! This marks the final delivery of our new, state-of-the-art fleet of surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for our Special Forces. Thanks to everyone who helped us reach this exciting milestone! 🎉🎉🎉 📷Photo: CANSOFCOM imaging |last1=Canadian Armed Forces |url=https://www.facebook.com/CanadianForces/photos/yesterday-we-welcomed-the-arrival-of-our-third-ce-145c-vigilance-aircraft-at-cfb/761143039541896/ |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=Facebook  }}</ref>
|
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport aircraft]]
|-
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|CC-130 Hercules]]
|United States
|Tanker/SAR
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed CC-130E/HR(T)]]
|12<ref name=":0b" />
|4 tankers and 8 SAR.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement Project |publisher=Public Works and Government Services Canada |url=http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/amd-dp/air/arsvf-fwsar/index-eng.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904113420/http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/amd-dp/air/arsvf-fwsar/index-eng.html |archive-date=2016-09-04 |access-date=2016-09-09}}</ref>
|-
|[[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|CC-130J Super Hercules]]
|United States
|Tactical airlifter/SAR
|[[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Lockheed Martin C-130J-30]]
|17<ref name=":0b" />
|
|-
|[[CC-138 Twin Otter]]
|Canada
|Search and Rescue (SAR)
|[[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Series 300]]
|4<ref name=":0b" />
|
|-
|[[Bombardier Challenger 600 series|CC-144 Challenger]]
|Canada
|Transport
|[[Bombardier Challenger 600 series|Bombardier Challenger 604]], [[Bombardier Challenger 600 series|Bombardier Challenger 650]]
|4<ref name=":0b" />
|
|-
|[[Airbus CC-150 Polaris|CC-150 Polaris]]
|Multinational
|Transport/Tanker
|[[Airbus CC-150 Polaris|Airbus CC-150]], [[Airbus A310 MRTT|Airbus CC-150T]]
|3<ref name=":0b" />
|2 tanker and 1 VIP
|-
|[[CC-330 Husky]]
|Multinational
|Transport/Tanker
|[[Airbus A330|A330-200]]
|3
|9 new and used aircraft to be converted to MRTT role.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canada finalises acquisition of two Airbus A330-200 aircraft for RCAF |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/canada-acquisition-a330-200-rcaf/|website=Airforce Technology |date=12 July 2022 |access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Canada moves forward with the acquisition of aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/07/canada-moves-forward-with-the-acquisition-of-aircraft-for-the-royal-canadian-air-force.html  |publisher=Department of National Defence |date=14 July 2022 |access-date=25 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Department of National Defence |date=2023-07-25 |title=The Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project and NORAD Modernization |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/07/the-strategic-tanker-transport-capability-project-and-norad-modernization0.html |access-date=2023-07-25 |via=canada.ca}}</ref> First aircraft arrived in Canada on 31 August 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://skiesmag.com/news/canada-takes-delivery-first-rcaf-cc-330-husky-aircraft/ |title=Canada takes delivery of first CC-330 Husky aircraft |work=Skies Mag |date=6 September 2023 |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref> 
|-
|[[CC-295 Kingfisher]]
|Spain 
|Search and Rescue (SAR)
|[[EADS CASA C-295|Airbus CC-295]]
|5
|Sixteen aircraft ordered to replace [[De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|CC-115 Buffalo]] and [[CC-130 Hercules]] in the SAR role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Defence |first=National |date=2018-12-13 |title=Fixed-wing search and rescue procurement project |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/procurement/fixed-wing-search-and-rescue-procurement-project.html |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>
|-
|[[CC-177 Globemaster III]]
|United States
|Strategic airlifter
|[[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|Boeing C-17A ER]]
|5<ref name=":0b" />
|
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
|[[Bell 206|CH-139 JetRanger]]
|United States
|Trainer
|[[Bell 206|Bell 206B-3]]
|13<ref name=":0b" />
|13 [[Eurocopter EC135|Airbus Helicopters H135]] ordered as replacement.<ref name=":7" />
|-
|[[Bell CH-146 Griffon|CH-146 Griffon]] 
|United States / Canada
|Trainer/Transport/SAR
|[[Bell CH-146 Griffon|CH-146C Mk II Griffon]]
|81<ref name=":0b" />
|85 tactical helicopters and 15 SAR. Eight armed in 2009 to escort [[CH-147 Chinook]]s in Afghanistan.<ref name="CH-146 Griffon">{{cite web |title=CH-146 Griffon |url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-current/ch-146.page |access-date=21 June 2016 |publisher=Royal Canadian Air Force |date=10 April 2013 |via=Canada.ca |archive-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728080137/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-current/ch-146.page |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|CH-147F Chinook]]
|United States
|Transport
|[[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|Boeing CH-47F]]
|14<ref name=":0b" />
|
|-
|[[Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone|CH-148 Cyclone]]
|United States
|ASW
|
|27
|28 helicopters delivered, 1 crashed into the Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece on April 29, 2020 while operating from the frigate HMCS Fredericton.
|-
|[[AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant|CH-149 Cormorant]]
|United Kingdom / Italy
|SAR
|
|13<ref name=":0b" />
|13 aircraft to be upgraded plus additional 3 new-build helicopters ordered<ref name=":6">{{cite web |title=Halifax company to upgrade 13 Cormorant helicopters for Canada's military |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9655824/imp-aerospace-halifax-upgrade-cormorant-military/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=Global News |date=27 April 2023 |last=Doucette |first=Keith}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Trainer aircraft]]
|-
|[[CT-114 Tutor]]
|Canada
|Air Demonstration, proficiency flying
|[[Canadair CT-114 Tutor|Canadair CL-41A]]
|24<ref name=":0b" />
|Used by 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (The [[Snowbirds (aerobatic team)|Snowbirds]]).
Used by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE), [[CFB Cold Lake]] for test support and pilot proficiency.<ref name="aete1">{{Cite web |title=Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) |url=https://cahf.ca/aerospace-engineering-test-establishment-aete/  |website=Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame |date= 15 February 2021|access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="aete2">{{Cite web |title=AETE to join testing 'centre of excellence' in Ottawa |url=https://skiesmag.com/news/aete-to-join-testing-centre-of-excellence-in-ottawa/ |website=Skies Magazine |last=Thatcher |first=Chris |date=11 January 2019 |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>

|-
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|CT-142 Dash-8]]
|Canada
|Trainer
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|DHC-8-102]]
|4<ref name=":0b" />
|3 Dash 8-400 Ordered<ref name=":7">{{cite web |last=Finnerty |first=Ryan |date=2024-05-29 |title=Canada announces $8bn acquisition of 71 trainer aircraft for RCAF |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/canada-announces-8bn-acquisition-of-71-trainer-aircraft-for-rcaf/158517.article |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Flight Global }}</ref>
|-
| [[Beechcraft King Air|CT-145/C-90B King Air]]
| United States
| Trainer
|[[Beechcraft King Air|C90B]]
| 7<ref name=":0b" />
| 7 [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft King Air 260]] ordered as replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modernization of Canadian Military Aircraft with Arrival of Textron Aviation's Beechcraft King Air 260. |url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/modernization-of-canadian-military-aircraft-with-arrival-of-textron-aviations-beechcraft-king-air-260 |website=Army Recognition |date=28 Jan 2025 |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II|CT-156 Harvard II]]
| United States
| Trainer
|
| 22<ref name=":0b" />
| 24 leased in 2000, 2 added in 2002.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |url=http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/CF_CT156.html |title=Canadian Forces CT-156 |publisher=Ody.ca |access-date=2011-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192223/http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/CF_CT156.html |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two lost in crashes.<ref name=":9">{{cite news |date=24 January 2014|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/2-military-pilots-eject-safely-before-crash-at-15-wing-moose-jaw-1.2510345| title=2 military pilots eject safely before crash at 15 Wing Moose Jaw |work=CBC News |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite news |date=28 March 2017|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/military-pilots-forced-to-eject-while-practising-aerobatics-dnd-report/article34438583/| title=Military pilots forced to eject while practising aerobatics: DND report |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=21 December 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet]]
|France / Germany
|Jet Trainer
|[[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet|Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet Type A]]
|16<ref name="Top Aces">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Top Aces |url=http://www.topaces.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423224117/https://topaces.com/ |archive-date=2019-04-23 |access-date=2019-06-03}}</ref>
|Based in Montreal and operated by Canadian Air Combat and Electronic Warfare Support Services as well as [[414 Squadron]].<ref name="Top Aces" />
|-
|[[Grob G 120]]
|Germany
|Trainer
|[[Grob G 120|G120A]]
|14<ref name=":0b" />
|23 G120 TP Ordered<ref name=":11">{{cite web |last=Finnerty |first=Ryan |date=2024-05-29 |title=Canada announces $8bn acquisition of 71 trainer aircraft for RCAF |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/canada-announces-8bn-acquisition-of-71-trainer-aircraft-for-rcaf/158517.article |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Flight Global }}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]
|-
| [[IAI Heron]]
| [[Israel]]
| [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISR]]
| 
| 2
| 2 in service, formerly operated 3.<ref name="Flt8">{{cite web|url = http://web.ncf.ca/fn352/flight8/recent.html#UAV|title = Canadian Forces Briefing on UAVs|access-date = 2009-06-30|publisher = [[Canadian Owners and Pilots Association|COPA]] Flight 8|date = June 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120711071859/http://web.ncf.ca/fn352/flight8/recent.html#UAV|archive-date = 11 July 2012|url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
| [[UMS Skeldar V-200]]
| [[Sweden]]
| [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISR]]
| [[UMS Skeldar V-200|CU-176 Gargoyle]]
| 6
| Known as CU-176 Gargoyle in Canadian Service.<ref name=":16">{{cite web|title=QinetiQ Wins C$51m Contract with the Canadian Armed Forces' Unmanned Aircraft System Service program|url=https://umsskeldar.aero/qinetiq-wins-51m-contract-with-the-canadian-armed-forces-unmanned-aircraft-system-service-program/|website=Umsskeldar.aero|access-date=22 May 2019}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
| [[Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack|RQ-21 Blackjack]]
| United States
| [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISR]]
|
| 10 
| 
|}

====Fixed-wing====
{{glossary}}
{{term |1=[[Airbus CC-150 Polaris]]}}
{{defn |1=[[File:CC-150 Polaris tanker refueling two CF-18 Hornets.jpg|thumb|An RCAF [[Airbus CC-150 Polaris|CC-150 Polaris]] refuelling two CF-18 Hornets near [[CFB Borden]]]]
Airbus A310 transports purchased in 1992 for use as strategic transports and air-to-air tankers to replace the [[Boeing CC-137]]. Two have been converted to tankers and are designated the CC-150T. One is permanently configured for [[Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft|VIP transport]]; all five aircraft are operated by [[437 Transport Squadron|437 Squadron]] based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.}}

{{term |1=[[EADS CASA C-295|Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.journalpioneer.com/news/canada/new-rcaf-search-and-rescue-aircraft-to-be-named-kingfisher-502130//|title=New RCAF search and rescue aircraft to be named "Kingfisher"|work=Journal Pioneer|access-date=2020-09-25}}</ref>}}
{{defn |1=Twin-turboprop tactical search and rescue aircraft as replacement for the [[DHC-5 Buffalo|CC-115 Buffalo]] and older-model [[C-130H]] Hercules search and rescue aircraft}}

{{term |1=[[Airbus A330 MRTT|Airbus CC-330 Husky (A330-200) MRTT]]}}
{{defn |1=In 2022, two ex-[[Kuwait Airways]] [[Airbus A330]]-200 were selected to be converted as [[Airbus A330 MRTT]] to replace the CC-150 Polaris. The two aircraft will arrive in winter 2023 and converted by [[Airbus Defence and Space]] (mainly in Spain and repainted in France).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://skiesmag.com/news/canada-moves-forward-acquisition-first-2-airbus-a330-aircraft-rcaf-future-tanker/|title=Canada moves forward with acquisition of first 2 Airbus A330-200s for RCAF future tanker|author=Rob Kotsopoulos|website=Skiesmag.com|date=15 July 2022 |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref> On June 19, 2023 a contract was awarded for the acquisition of nine [[Airbus CC-330 Husky|CC-330 Husky]] aircraft (mix of 4 new and 5 used A330-200), associated equipment, integrated logistic support elements, training simulator(s), and sustainment.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/procurement/strategic-tanker-transport-capability-project.html | title=Strategic Tanker Transport Capability project | date=18 December 2020 }}</ref>}}


{{term |1=[[Beechcraft CT-156 Harvard II]]}}
{{defn |1=Single-engined trainer leased from [[CAE Inc.]] to replace the [[Canadair CT-114 Tutor]]. 24 aircraft based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan}}

{{term |1=[[Beechcraft King Air|Beechcraft King Air C-90B]]}}
{{defn |1=Multi-engine training aircraft. Leased to RCAF by [[Allied Wings]], 7 aircraft are based at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.}}

{{term |1=[[Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III]]}}
{{defn |1=[[File:RCAF Boeing C-17 CC177704 (7228848484).jpg|thumb|An RCAF [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|C-17 Globemaster III]] at [[Calgary International Airport]]]]
Five strategic airlifters operated by [[429 Transport Squadron|429 (T) Squadron]] based at 8 Wing [[Trenton, Ontario]]. Four were delivered from 2007 to 2008, a fifth was delivered in 2015.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=956819&tp=1|title=Government of Canada Welcomes Increased Air Power for the Royal Canadian Air Force - Canada's Fifth CC-177 Globemaster touches down at 8 Wing Trenton |publisher=Department of National Defence |date=30 March 2015|access-date=5 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401143516/http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=956819&tp=1|archive-date=1 April 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}

{{term |1=[[Bombardier Challenger 600|Bombardier CC-144 Challenger]]}}
{{defn |1=Utility and VIP transport aircraft first delivered in 1982. Early Challenger 600 and 601 models were supplemented by 604 models in 2002. Four aircraft are operated by [[412 Transport Squadron|412(T) Sqn]] and based in Ottawa, but belong to 8 Wing Trenton.}}

{{term |1=[[Canadair CT-114 Tutor]]}}
{{defn |1=Entered service in 1962 as a basic and advanced jet trainer with 190 originally ordered, replaced by the [[T-6 Texan II|CT-156 Harvard II]] and [[CT-155 Hawk]] in 2000. A total of 26 aircraft remain in service, 24 of which are used by [[431 Air Demonstration Squadron]], "The [[Snowbirds (aerobatic team)|Snowbirds]]". Five are used by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) for test support and pilot proficiency flying.<ref name="aete1"/><ref name="aete2"/>}}

{{term |1=[[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC CC-138 Twin Otter]]}}
{{defn |1=A twin-engined utility transport operated since the 1970s, four remain based at Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, operated by 440 Transport Squadron.}}

{{term |1=[[de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8|DHC CT-142 Dash 8]]}}
{{defn |1=Twin-engined converted regional airliner entered service in 1987 as an aerial navigation and tactics trainer, Four are operated by 402 "City of Winnipeg" Sqn and stationed at [[CFB Winnipeg|17 Wing]], Winnipeg, Manitoba.}}

{{term |1=[[Grob G 120]]A}}
{{defn |1=Single engine primary trainer used to train pilot candidates before they move onto the [[Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II|Harvard II]]. Leased to RCAF by [[KF Defence Programs]], 14 aircraft are based at [[3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School]] in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.<ref name=":0"/>}}

{{term |1=[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed CC-130H Hercules]]}}
{{defn |1=[[File:Lockheed CC-130H Hercules (8111583732) (2).jpg|thumb|An RCAF [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|CC-130H Hercules]] on approach to [[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport|Winnipeg James Richardson International Airport]]]]
Four-engined tactical transport. Several versions have been operated since 1960. Remaining CC-130Hs used for search and rescue and air-to-air refuelling. 12 aircraft remain in service,<ref name=":0" /> 4 of which have been converted to air-to-air tankers. Based at 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, and 17 Wing, Winnipeg, Manitoba.}}

{{term |1=[[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora]]}}
{{defn |1=Four-engined maritime patrol aircraft based on the American [[P-3 Orion|Lockheed P-3 Orion]]; entered service in 1980, 18 aircraft now based at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia, and 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia.<ref name=":0" />}}

{{term |1=[[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Lockheed Martin CC-130J Super Hercules]]}}
{{defn |1=Four-engined tactical airlifter replacing earlier Hercules variants in that role.<ref>Warwick, Graham. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/16/220873/canada-signs-1.4bn-contract-for-17-lockheed-martin.html "Canada signs $1.4bn contract for 17 Lockheed Martin C-130Js."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310212039/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/16/220873/canada-signs-1.4bn-contract-for-17-lockheed-martin.html |date=2008-03-10 }} ''Flight International'', 16 January 2008. Retrieved: 17 January 2008.</ref> A total of 17 are in service operated by 436 (T) Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton.<ref>[http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/CF_CC130.html "Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192057/http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/CF_CC130.html |date=2011-07-06 }} ''Ody.ca .'' Retrieved: 20 March 2011.</ref>}}

{{term |1=[[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet]]}}
{{defn |1=[[File:CF18imp2.jpg|thumb|An RCAF CF-18 Hornet during the Bagotville Air Show]]
Fighter entered service in 1982 when 98 single-seat CF-18As and 40 two-seat CF-18Bs were ordered. Seventeen have been lost since 1984.<ref name="Ejection history">[http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/CF-18/cf_18_hornet.htm "CF-18 Hornet in Canadian Service."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928001959/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/CF-18/cf_18_hornet.htm |date=2013-09-28 }} ''ejection-history.org.uk.'' Retrieved: 26 September 2011.</ref> Stationed at 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec and 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta; 60 CF-18As and 25 CF-18Bs remain in active service.<ref name=":0" /><ref>[http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation/october-2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-defence-military-industry-/1196-canadian-cf-18-fighter-jets-kept-in-use-until-2025.html "Canadian CF-18 fighter jets to be kept in use until 2025."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004144925/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation/october-2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-defence-military-industry-/1196-canadian-cf-18-fighter-jets-kept-in-use-until-2025.html |date=2014-10-04 }} ''airrecognition.com'', 2 October 2014.</ref>}}

{{term |1=[[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet in Australian service|McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]] (Ex-RAAF)}}
{{defn |1= 18 (12 F/A-18A and 6 F/A-18B) have been delivered. Up to seven additional Hornets are also being supplied to be used for spares.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|last=Andrew McLaughlin|date=2021-05-13|title=Canada receives final ex-RAAF F/A-18A/B Hornets|url=https://adbr.com.au/canada-receives-final-ex-raaf-f-a-18a-b-hornets/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=ADBR|language=en-US|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005190322/https://adbr.com.au/canada-receives-final-ex-raaf-f-a-18a-b-hornets/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
{{glossary end}}

====Rotary wing====

{{glossary}}
{{term |1=[[AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant]]}}
{{defn |1=Triple-engined search and rescue helicopter that replaced the [[CH-113 Labrador]]. Fourteen delivered between 2000 and 2002. Based at (103 Squadron) 9 Wing Gander, Newfoundland; (413 Squadron) 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia; and (442 Squadron) 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia. A total of 15 were delivered and put into service by RCAF SAR, airframes numbered 901 through 915. A total of 2 aircraft have been lost, airframes 914 and 903, both on training missions.}}

{{term |1=[[Bell 206|Bell CH-139 JetRanger]] (Model C or III)}}
{{defn |1=Single-engined utility and training helicopter. Ordered for 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at CFB Portage la Prairie, MB; an older variant (CH-136 - Jetranger A model), was used by Regular Forces in CFB Lahr in Germany and in Canada from 1972 - 1995 which were replaced by [[CH-146 Griffon]]s. 12 aircraft remain, leased from [[Allied Wings]], used for flight training in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.}}

{{term |1=[[Bell CH-146 Griffon]]}}
{{defn |1=[[File:CH-146ISAF.jpg|thumb|An RCAF [[Bell CH-146 Griffon|CH-146 Griffon]] providing close air support for units of the [[Afghan Armed Forces]], and [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]]]
A utility transport tactical helicopter (UTTH) that entered service between 1995 and 1997. Original purchase of 100 aircraft to replace the CH-136 Kiowa (Bell 206), CH-135 Twin Huey (Bell 212), CH-118 Iroquois (Bell 205), and Boeing C-Model Chinooks CH-47C. Based at Bagotville, Quebec (439 Squadron), St. Hubert, Quebec (438 Squadron), Cold Lake, Alberta (417 Squadron), Gagetown, New Brunswick (403 Squadron), Valcartier, Quebec (430 Squadron), Goose Bay, Newfoundland (444 Squadron), Edmonton, Alberta (408 Squadron), and Borden, Ontario (400 Squadron); also perform search and rescue duties at 8 Wing Trenton (424 Squadron). Deployed to Afghanistan to provide escorts for the Chinooks, armed with a combination of 7.62mm C-6 machine gun, 7.62mm [[Minigun|Dillon Aero M134D]] Gatling gun, and GAU-21 .50 caliber machine gun on one or both doors.<ref>[http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/commun/ml-fe/photo-eng.asp?id=3429 "Dillon Aero 7.62 mm M134 Minigun during exercise near Kandahar."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609181953/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/commun/ml-fe/photo-eng.asp?id=3429 |date=2011-06-09 }} ''The Maple Leaf'', Vol. 12, No. 9, 4 March 2009. Retrieved: 26 September 2011.</ref><ref name="DND25Nov08">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110609200924/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=2816 "Canada Increases Air Capabilities in Afghanistan."] ''DND/CF News,'' November 2008. Retrieved: 13 March 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/opdocs/docs/JTF-Afg/fs-ft/ch146-griffon-eng.pdf] {{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 9 ex-RCAF Griffons, designated CT-146, are leased from [[Allied Wings]] for pilot training at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. CT-146 Griffons are painted all black and have RCAF roundel, RCAF wordmark, Canada wordmark and civilian registration numbers.{{trivia inline|date=December 2023}} }}

{{term |1=[[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|Boeing CH-147F Chinook]]}}
{{defn |1=The CH-147F Chinook is an advanced, multi-mission, medium to heavy-lift helicopter. Its primary mission is the tactical transport of equipment and personnel during domestic or deployed operations. [[450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron]], under the command of [[1 Wing Kingston]], Ontario, and based in [[CFB Petawawa]], Ontario, was re-established as the home of Canadaʼs fleet of 15 CH-147F Chinooks. The first two airframes underwent intensive operational test and evaluation in the United States for several months before Canada received the first airframe 147303 at an official acceptance ceremony at the [[Ottawa International Airport]] on 27 June 2013.<ref>
{{cite press release |url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=13967 |url-status=dead |title=First CH-147F Chinook helicopter welcomed to Canada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628072034/http://rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=13967 |archive-date=2013-06-28 |publisher=Department of National Defence |access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation/july-2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-defence-/1068-boeing-completes-delivery-of-canadian-ch-147f-chinooks-transport-helicopter.html |title=Boeing Completes Delivery of Canadian CH-147F Chinooks Transport Helicopter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714191717/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation/july-2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-defence-/1068-boeing-completes-delivery-of-canadian-ch-147f-chinooks-transport-helicopter.html |archive-date=2014-07-14 |website=Air Recognition |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-news-2015/january-2015-air-force-military-aviation-defence-industry-news/1420-boeing-delivered-ch-147f-chinook-maintenance-trainer-to-the-royal-canadian-air-force.html |title=Boeing delivered CH-147F Chinook Maintenance Trainer to the Royal Canadian Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114164606/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-news-2015/january-2015-air-force-military-aviation-defence-industry-news/1420-boeing-delivered-ch-147f-chinook-maintenance-trainer-to-the-royal-canadian-air-force.html |archive-date=2015-01-14 |work=Air Recognition |access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> Fifteen aircraft were initially acquired, but one crashed in 2023.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |title=Wreckage of Chinook helicopter recovered from Ottawa River |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/wreckage-of-chinook-helicopter-recovered-from-ottawa-river/ |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=CTV News |date=21 July 2023 |last=Pringle |first=Josh }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Full operational capability by June 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=CH-147F Chinook procurement project |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/procurement/ch-147f-chinook.html |publisher=Government of Canada |via=Canada.ca |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=13 December 2018}}</ref> The Auditor General criticized National Defence for "underestimated and understated" the complexity of the purchases of the Chinook, "[t]he way the advance contract notification instrument was applied in the directed procurement of the Chinook helicopters did not comply with the letter or intent of the applicable regulations and policies".<ref>{{cite news |title=FAQ: How Canada procured new military helicopters |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/faq-how-canada-procured-new-military-helicopters-1.940250 |access-date=16 August 2021 |website=CBC News |date=26 October 2010}}</ref>}}

{{term |1=[[Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone]]}}
{{defn |1=[[File:Halifax DSC08302 - CF Cyclone -811 (36286729876) (cropped).jpg|thumb|A [[CH-148 Cyclone]] in flight]]
Ship-based transport/anti-submarine helicopter based on the [[Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk]]. Twenty-eight ordered to replace the Sea King from 2009. Delays pushed first delivery to 2015.<ref name=":0" /> One aircraft was lost in an accident in April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RCAF Cyclone helicopter missing, believed to have crashed into the sea off Greek coast |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/rcaf-cyclone-helicopter-reported-missing-believed-to-have-crashed-into-the-sea-off-greek-coast|access-date=2020-11-03|website=Ottawa Citizen|last=Pugliese |first=David |language=en-CA}}</ref>}}
{{glossary end}}

===Leased and contractor aircraft===
The Canadian Forces have leased aircraft from vendors to help transport troops and equipment from Canada and other locations in the past decade. Transport aircraft have been leased as required. Despite RCAF marking all aircraft have civilian registration numbers.

;[[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet|Dornier Alpha Jet Type A]]
* 16 aircraft are operated by [[Top Aces]] for CATS (Contracted Airborne Training Services) and are based at CFB Cold Lake and [[CFB Bagotville]].<ref name="Top Aces" />

===Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)===
====RCAF UAS====
;[[SAGEM Sperwer]]
:Designated CU-161; entered service in 2003, retired<ref name="canadianarmytoday.com">{{cite web |url=https://canadianarmytoday.com/blackjack-army-hits-21-with-new-ace-in-the-sky/ |title=Blackjack: Army hits 21 with new ace in the sky |work=Canadian Army Today |date=December 4, 2017 |access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>
;[[IAI Heron]]
:3 leased in 2009 for use in Afghanistan; turned over to the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] in 2011<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/cf-aerospace-warfare-centre/elibrary/journal/2016-vol5-iss3-04-can-unmanned-aircraft-systems-meet-canadian-air-power-needs.page |title=Can Unmanned Aircraft Systems Meet Canadian Air Power Needs? |last=Orr |first=Conrad Edward |journal=RCAF Journal |volume=5 |issue=3 |date=2016 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419002033/https://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/cf-aerospace-warfare-centre/elibrary/journal/2016-vol5-iss3-04-can-unmanned-aircraft-systems-meet-canadian-air-power-needs.page |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Canadian Army/RCN UAS====

;[[BAE Systems Silver Fox]]
:Acquired in 2004 by the Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/38284/canada-to-buy-silver-fox-mini_uav-%28may-5%29.html |title=Canadian Forces Purchases Mini UAV System |website=Defense-aerospace.com |date=May 4, 2004 |access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>
;[[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle]]
:Designated CU-165; operated by the [[Canadian Army]] 2008–2014<ref name="canadianarmytoday.com"/> 
;[[Elbit Skylark]]
:Designated CU-168; operated by the Canadian Army<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/canada-selects-skylark-as-its-future-miniuav-02689/ |title=Canada Selects Skylark as its Future Mini-UAV |website=Defense Industry Daily |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>
;[[AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven]]
:Operated by the Canadian Army
;[[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma]]
:Acquired in 2018; operated by the [[Royal Canadian Navy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2018-02-28/royal-canadian-navy-to-field-aerovironment-puma-ii-ae-with-mantis-i45-sensor-aboard-coastal-defence-vessels |title=Royal Canadian Navy to Field AeroVironment Puma II AE with Mantis i45 Sensor Aboard Coastal Defence Vessels |website=Bloomberg.com |date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
;[[Prioria Robotics Maveric]]
:Operated by the Canadian Army<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.suasnews.com/2010/08/prioria-win-canadian-defence-contract-with-maveric-mav/ |title=Prioria win Canadian defence contract with Maveric MAV |work=Suas News |last=Mortimer |first=Gary |date=August 15, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>
;[[Saab Skeldar]]
:Designated CU-176 Gargoyle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canada to Evaluate Skeldar Drone in ASW |url=https://www.helis.com/database/news/canada-skeldar-drone-asw/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Helis.com |language=en}}</ref> Acquired in 2019; operated by the Royal Canadian Navy and [[CANSOFCOM]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2019 |url=https://umsskeldar.aero/qinetiq-wins-51m-contract-with-the-canadian-armed-forces-unmanned-aircraft-system-service-program-2/ |title=QinetiQ Wins C$51m Contract with the Canadian Armed Forces' Unmanned Aircraft System Service program |website=UMS SKELDAR |access-date=2020-11-27 |archive-date=2020-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020025206/https://umsskeldar.aero/qinetiq-wins-51m-contract-with-the-canadian-armed-forces-unmanned-aircraft-system-service-program-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
;[[Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack]]
:Designated CU-172; operated by the Canadian Army<ref name="canadianarmytoday.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/canada-surveillance-drones-military-1.3680290 |title=Canada's new $14.1M fixed-wing drones are runway free |work=CBC News |last=Ruskin |first=Brett |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>
;[[Teal Drones, Inc. Teal 2]]
:Introduced to Army and RCN circa 2024. Fifty acquired.<ref>{{Cite news |title=No plans to buy first person drones for Canadian Armed Forces |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/no-first-person-drones-for-canadian-forces |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241122121019/https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/no-first-person-drones-for-canadian-forces |archive-date=2024-11-22 |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=ottawacitizen |language=en}}</ref>

===Future inventory===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;" |Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Number on order
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
| [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35A Lightning II]]
| United States
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole]]
| [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#Variants|F-35A block 4]]
|88
| Ordered in January 2023. First 4 to arrive in 2026, with all 88 to be delivered by 2032.<ref name="Berthiaume">{{cite web |last=Berthiaume |first=Lee |date=20 December 2022 |title=Defence Department gets OK to spend $7 billion on 16 F-35 fighter jets: CP sources |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/defence-department-gets-ok-to-spend-7-billion-on-16-f-35-fighter-jets-cp-sources/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221221010514/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/defence-department-gets-ok-to-spend-7-billion-on-16-f-35-fighter-jets-cp-sources-1.6202528 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |access-date=21 December 2022 |work=[[CTV News]]}}</ref><ref name="Brewster090123">{{cite web |last=Brewster |first=Murray |date=9 January 2023 |title=Federal government inks deal to buy fleet of F-35 fighter jets |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-f35-fighter-jet-deal-1.6707769 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230109165109/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-f35-fighter-jet-deal-1.6707769?cmp=rss |archive-date=9 January 2023 |access-date=9 January 2023 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" |[[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]
|-
|[[Boeing P-8|Boeing P-8A]]
|United States
|ASW/Patrol
|[[Boeing P-8|Boeing P-8A]]
|14
|Plus 2 options, with delivery starting in 2026.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Canada purchasing up to 16 P-8A Poseidon Multi Mission Aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force |date=2023-11-30 |publisher=Department of National Defence |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/11/canada-purchasing-up-to-16-p-8a-poseidon-multi-mission-aircraft-for-the-royal-canadian-air-force.html |via=Canada.ca |access-date=2023-11-30}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport aircraft]]
|-
|[[EADS CASA C-295|CC-295 Kingfisher]]
|[[Spain]]
|SAR
|[[EADS CASA C-295]]
|16
|All 16 aircraft were expected to be delivered by the end of 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fedy-Macdonald |first=Dayna |date=4 May 2022 |title=Initial operational capability of Canada's CC-295 FWSAR aircraft delayed to 2025-26 |url=https://skiesmag.com/news/initial-operational-capability-canadas-cc-295-fwsar-aircraft-delayed-2025/#:~:text=The%2016th%20and%20final%20CC,Greenwood%2C%20and%2017%20Wing%20Winnipeg |access-date=2 January 2024 |work=Skies Mag}}</ref><ref name="CBC New Era">{{Cite news |last=Brewster |first=Murray |date=2020-09-25 |title=A new era for military search-and-rescue begins with the Kingfisher |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/search-rescue-plane-1.5739524 |access-date=2020-09-26 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |date=9 October 2019 |title=Canada's first C295 gains air force livery |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/canadas-first-c295-gains-air-force-livery/134740.article |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=Flight Global}}</ref> However, initial operating capability is not anticipated until 2025/26.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 May 2022 |title=Government of Canada provides an update on the operationalization of the CC-295 Kingfisher |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/05/government-of-canada-provides-an-update-on-the-operationalization-of-the-cc-295-kingfisher.html |access-date=26 August 2022 |publisher=Government of Canada}}</ref> Additional trainer aircraft for maintenance personnel arrived in 2020 without SAR equipment and not part of the operational fleet.
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Trainer aircraft]]
|-
|[[CT-145E Expeditor II]]
|United States
|Trainer
||[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft Super King Air 260]]
|7<ref name=":13">{{cite web |last=Finnerty |first=Ryan |date=2024-05-29 |title=Canada announces $8bn acquisition of 71 trainer aircraft for RCAF |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/canada-announces-8bn-acquisition-of-71-trainer-aircraft-for-rcaf/158517.article |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Flight Global}}</ref>
|To operate as part of Canada's ''Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program.''<ref name=":17" />
|-
|[[CT-153 Juno]]
|France
|Trainer
|[[Eurocopter EC135|Airbus H135]]
|19<ref name=":14">{{cite web |last=Finnerty |first=Ryan |date=2024-05-29 |title=Canada announces $8bn acquisition of 71 trainer aircraft for RCAF |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/canada-announces-8bn-acquisition-of-71-trainer-aircraft-for-rcaf/158517.article |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Flight Global }}</ref>
|To operate as part of Canada's ''Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program.''<ref name=":17" />
|-
|[[CT-142Q Citadel]]
|Canada
|Trainer
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400]]
|3<ref name=":13"/>
|To operate as part of Canada's ''Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program.''<ref name=":17" />
|-
|[[CT-102B Astra II]]
|Germany
|Trainer
|[[Grob G120|G 120 TP]]
|23<ref name=":12">{{cite web |last=Finnerty |first=Ryan |date=2024-05-29 |title=Canada announces $8bn acquisition of 71 trainer aircraft for RCAF |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/canada-announces-8bn-acquisition-of-71-trainer-aircraft-for-rcaf/158517.article |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Flight Global }}</ref>
|To operate as part of Canada's ''Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program.''<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Public Services and Procurement |date=2024-09-12 |title=Future aircrew training program |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/acquisitions/defence-marine/air/future-aircrew-training-program.html |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>
|-
|[[CT-157 Siskin II]]
|Switzerland
|Trainer
|[[Pilatus PC-21]]
|19<ref name=":12"/>
|To operate as part of Canada's ''Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program.''<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Public Services and Procurement |date=2024-09-12 |title=Future aircrew training program |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/acquisitions/defence-marine/air/future-aircrew-training-program.html |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]
|-
|[[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9B SkyGuardian]]
|[[United States]]
|[[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISR]]
|
|11
|Delivery from 2028.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Department of National Defence |date=19 December 2023 |title=Canada acquiring Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Canadian Armed Forces |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/12/canada-acquiring-remotely-piloted-aircraft-systems-for-the-canadian-armed-forces.html |access-date=3 May 2024 |website=Government of Canada News}}</ref>
|}

====Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II====
{{Main|Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Canadian procurement}}
On 28 March 2022, the Government of Canada announced that the competition had placed the F-35A first and planned to buy 88 aircraft.<ref name="cbc2022">{{cite web|url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/f-35-negotiations-1.6399978|title= Liberals launch negotiations to buy F-35 fighter jets|access-date= 29 March 2022|last= Brewster|first= Murray|work= [[CBC News]]|date= 28 March 2022|archive-url= https://archive.today/20220329000346/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/f-35-negotiations-1.6399978|archive-date= 29 March 2022|url-status= live}}</ref> On 9 January 2023, the Government of Canada officially ordered 88 F-35As.<ref name="Berthiaume" /><ref name="Brewster090123" /> Previously, a unique Canadian [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|CF-35]] variant was proposed that would differ from the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#Variants|F-35A]] by adding a [[drogue parachute]] and possibly an F-35B/C-style refuelling probe.<ref name="auto" /><ref name="C4Wauto-8740196">{{cite news |last=Daly |first=Brian |date=1 September 2010 |title=Harper, Ignatieff spar over fighter jets |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/news/canada/2010/09/01/15213341.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302043627/http://www.calgarysun.com/news/canada/2010/09/01/15213341.html |archive-date=2 March 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |newspaper=Calgary Sun}}</ref> In 2012, it was revealed that the CF-35 would employ the same boom refuelling system as the F-35A.<ref name="oCanada-2012-12-20">{{cite web |last=Berthiaume |first=Lee |date=20 December 2012 |title=Military will contract out air-to-air refuelling if Canada goes with F-35 |url=http://o.canada.com/news/national/military-will-contract-out-air-to-air-refuelling-if-canada-goes-with-f-35/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302041720/http://o.canada.com/news/national/military-will-contract-out-air-to-air-refuelling-if-canada-goes-with-f-35/ |archive-date=2 March 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |website=Canada.com |df=dmy}}</ref> Following the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 Federal Election]] the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]], whose campaign had included a pledge to cancel the F-35 procurement,<ref name="Liberal2015Platform">{{cite web |date=5 October 2015 |title=A New Plan For a Strong Middle Class |url=https://www.liberal.ca/files/2015/10/New-plan-for-a-strong-middle-class.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014055323/https://www.liberal.ca/files/2015/10/New-plan-for-a-strong-middle-class.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2015 |access-date=5 October 2015 |website=Liberal Party of Canada}}</ref> formed a new government and commenced an open competition to replace the existing [[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet|CF-18 Hornet]].<ref name="canada_exit">{{cite web |last1=Drew |first1=James |date=21 October 2015 |title=Canadian F-35 exit could signal wider air force review |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/canadian-f-35-exit-could-signal-wider-air-force-revi-418043/ |website=FlightGlobal}}</ref> 

====General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian====
On 19 December 2023, the Government of Canada announced that a contract was signed for 11 [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9B]] drones, 219 [[AGM-114 Hellfire|Hellfire missiles]], and 12 [[Mark 82 bomb|Mk82 500-pound bombs]] in a deal worth $2.49 billion CAD.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government of Canada Orders the MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS from GA-ASI |url=https://www.ga-asi.com/government-of-canada-orders-the-mq-9b-skyguardian-rpas-from-ga-asi}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Murray |date=19 December 2023 |title=Canadian military buying armed drones for $2.49B |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/armed-drone-canadian-armed-forces-1.7063989 |access-date=7 September 2024 |website=CBC}}</ref> The drones are expected to be first delivered in 2028 with full operation expected in 2033.<ref name=":1" /> The drones are to be stationed in [[CFB Greenwood|14 Wing Greenwood]], N.S. with 55 personnel and with 25 personnel at [[CFB Comox|19 Wing Comox]], B.C. and in Ottawa with 160 staff to control the drones.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Coyne |first=Todd |date=19 December 2023 |title=Canadian military to spend $2.5 billion on armed drones |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/canadian-military-to-spend-25-billion-on-armed-drones/ |access-date=7 September 2024 |website=CTV News}}</ref> Personnel will also forward deploy to northern Canada as needed.<ref name=":2" />

====Boeing P-8A Poseidon====
On November 30, 2023, the Government of Canada finalized a government-to-government agreement with the US government for the acquisition of up to 16 [[P-8A Poseidon]] aircraft for the RCAF. Fourteen multi-mission aircraft will be procured, with options for up to two additional aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/11/canada-purchasing-up-to-16-p-8a-poseidon-multi-mission-aircraft-for-the-royal-canadian-air-force.html | title=Canada purchasing up to 16 P-8A Poseidon Multi Mission Aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force | date=30 November 2023 }}</ref>

==== Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program ====
SkyAlyne was selected to provide the training for pilots and aircrew of the Royal Canadian Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web |last=GSSI |title=What is Future Aircrew Training? |url=https://skyalyne.ca/future-aircrew-training-canada/what-is-future-aircrew-training/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=SkyAlyne |language=en-CA}}</ref> The training includes the following aircraft:

* Aircraft:<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-05-30 |title=Le Canada révèle les désignations et livrée de sa nouvelle flotte formatrice ! |url=https://www.avianews.ch/post/le-canada-r%C3%A9v%C3%A8le-les-d%C3%A9signations-et-livr%C3%A9e-de-sa-nouvelle-flotte-formatrice |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Avia news |language=fr}}</ref>
** [[Grob G 120TP]], designated as the ''CT-102B Astra II'', to be used as basic flight training.
** [[Beechcraft King Air 260]], designated as the ''CT-145E Expeditor II'', to be used as multi-engine trainer, to be based at [[Portage la Prairie/Southport Airport]] (Manitoba).
** [[Pilatus PC-21]], designated as the ''CT-157 Siskin II.'' This aircraft will be based at [[Moose Jaw]], Saskatchewan, and used for advanced fixed-wing flying training and for jet programs.
** [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400]], designated as the ''CT-142Q Citadel'', which will be used to train air combat system officers and airborne electronic sensor operators, and will be operated out of [[17 Wing Winnipeg]].
* Helicopter:<ref name=":4" />
** [[Airbus H135]], designated as the ''CT-153 Juno'', to be based at [[Portage la Prairie/Southport Airport]] (Manitoba).

===Weapons and other equipment===
Weapons systems are used by the CF-18 Hornet, CP-140 Aurora, CH-146 Griffon and the CH-148 Cyclone.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="text-align:center; "| Manufacturer
! style="text-align:center;"|Origin
! style="text-align:center; "| Weapon
! style="text-align:center; "|Type
! style="text-align:center; "|Entered service
! style="text-align:center; "| Notes
|-
| [[Lockheed Martin]]
| {{US}}
| [[GBU-10 Paveway II]] (12, 16 and 24)
| [[Laser-guided]] [[bomb]]
| 1980s
| Used by [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|CF-18]]
|-
| {{nowrap|[[General Dynamics]]}}
| {{US}}
| [[Mark 82 bomb]]
| Low drag [[general-purpose bomb]] ({{cvt|500|lb|kg}})
| 1970s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| General Dynamics
| {{US}}
| [[Mark 83 bomb]]
| Low drag general-purpose bomb (1,000&nbsp;lb&nbsp;(450&nbsp;kg)) 
| 1980s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| General Dynamics
| {{US}}
| [[Mark 84 bomb]]
| Low drag general-purpose bomb (2,000&nbsp;lb&nbsp;(910&nbsp;kg))
| 1980s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| [[Boeing]]
| {{US}}
| [[Joint Direct Attack Munition]]<ref>[http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/fs-ev/2011/10/27-eng.asp "CF-188 Hornets on Op MOBILE drop first JDAM bombs."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308144210/http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/fs-ev/2011/10/27-eng.asp |date=2012-03-08 }} ''Forces.gc.'' Retrieved: 2 February 2012.</ref>
| A kit to convert a regular bomb into [[precision-guided munition]]
| 2011
| Used by CF-18
|-
| [[Raytheon]]/[[Hughes Aircraft|Hughes]]
| {{US}}
| [[AGM-65 Maverick|AGM-65G Maverick Missile]]
| [[Air-to-surface missile]]
| 1999
| Used by CF-18. First leased in 1999 from the United States for [[Kosovo Force]],<br />then purchased in 2002 for the [[War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=FrontLine|website=FrontLine Defence Magazine Canada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117151647/https://defence.frontline.online/ |archive-date=17 January 2021|url=https://defence.frontline.online/ |url-status=usurped|access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref><ref name="Harold Skaarup Canadian Warplanes">{{cite book |last1=Skaarup |first1=Harold |title=Canadian Warplanes |date=2009-11-16 |publisher=iUniverse |isbn=978-1440167584 |pages=279–283 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rb6fBAAAQBAJ |access-date=2022-09-07}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bristol Aerospace|Bristol]]
| {{CAN}}
| [[CRV7|CRV 7 Rocket]]
| Folding-fin ground attack [[rocket]]
| 1970s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas]]
| {{US}}
| [[AIM-7 Sparrow]]
| Medium-range [[semi-active radar homing]] [[air-to-air missile]]
| 1980s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| Raytheon/Hughes
| {{US}}
| [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]]
| [[Beyond Visual Range missile|Beyond Visual Range (BVR)]] air-to-air missile
| 2000s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| Raytheon/[[Ford Aerospace|Ford]]/<br />[[Loral Corp.]]
| {{US}}
| [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]]
| [[Infrared homing|Heat-seeking]], short-range, air-to-air missile
| 1980s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| {{nowrap|General Dynamics/}}<br />[[General Electric]]
| {{US}}
| [[M61 Vulcan|M61 20mm Vulcan cannon]]
| Air-cooled [[Rotary cannon|gatling-style cannon]]
| 1980s
| Used by CF-18
|-
| [[Alliant Techsystems|Alliant]]
| {{US}}
| [[Mark 46 torpedo]]
| Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo
| 1970s
| Used by CP-140 Aurora and CH-148 Cyclone (but not by CP-140A Arcturus)
|-
| [[FN Herstal]]
| {{BEL}}
| [[FN MAG]] C6
| 7.62&nbsp;mm self-defence machine gun
| 1980s
| Used by CH-146 Griffon, CH-147F Chinook and CH-148 Cyclone
|-
| [[Dillon Aero]]
| {{US}}
| [[M134 Minigun|M134]]
| 7.62&nbsp;mm self-defence machine gun
| 2011
| Used by CH-146 Griffon 
|-
| [[Browning Arms Company]]
| {{US}}
| [[M2 Browning#AN/M3, GAU-21/A, and M3P|M3M]]
| 0.50&nbsp;cal&nbsp;(12.7&nbsp;mm) machine gun
| 2013
| Used by CH-146 Griffon 
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="text-align:center; "| Manufacturer
! style="text-align:center; "| Origin
! style="text-align:center; "| Name
! style="text-align:center; "|Type
! style="text-align:center; "|In Service
! style="text-align:center; "| Notes
|-
| Systems & Electronics, Inc.<!-- (West Plains, Mo)-->
| {{US}}
| 60K Tunner
| Material handling equipment
| 2008
| Used with CC-177 transport
|-
| JBT AeroTech
| {{US}}
| Halvorsen 44K Loaders
| Truck Aircraft Side Load Unload (TASLU) Loader
| 2008
| 4 for use with CC-177; licensed from Static Engineering of Australia
|-
|
|
|
| [[Arresting gear|Mobile Arrestor Gear]]
|
|
|-
| [[FMC Corp.]]
| {{US}}
| B-1200
| Aircraft towing tractor
| 2008
| Used to tow CC-177 and CC-130
|}

====Retired weapons====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#D9D6CF;"|Weapon
! style="text-align:center; background:#D9D6CF;"| Country of manufacture
! style="text-align:center; background:#D9D6CF;"| Type
! style="text-align:center; background:#D9D6CF;"| In service
! style="text-align:center; background:#D9D6CF;"|#
|-
| [[CIM-10 Bomarc|CIM-10 Bomarc-B]]
| {{US}}
| Supersonic missile equipped with a 10&nbsp;kt [[W40 (nuclear warhead)]]
| 1962 to 1972
| N/A
|-
| [[AIR-2 Genie]]
| {{US}}
| Air-to-air rocket with a 1.5&nbsp;kt [[W25 (nuclear warhead)]]
| 1965 to 1984
| N/A
|-
| [[CBU-100 Cluster Bomb|MK-20 "Rockeye"]]
| {{US}}
| Cluster bomb
| 1980s to 1997<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110609181905/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=1439 "Disposal of Rockeye Cluster Bombs at CFAD Dundurn."] ''National Defence and the Canadian Forces,'' 27 July 2004. Retrieved: 26 September 2011.</ref>
| ≈1000
|}

== Structure ==
{{main|Structure of the Royal Canadian Air Force}}
{{Location map+ | Canada
| width = 420
| float = right
| caption = Bases of the Royal Canadian Air Force
| relief = 1
| places =
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[1 Wing Kingston|Kingston]]
    | position = right
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 44 |lat_min = 14 | lat_sec = 30 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 76 |lon_min = 27 | lon_sec = 00 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[3 Wing Bagotville|Bagotville]]
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 48 |lat_min = 19 | lat_sec = 50 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 70 |lon_min = 59 | lon_sec = 47 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[4 Wing Cold Lake|Cold Lake]]
    | position = right
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 54  |lat_min = 24 | lat_sec = 18 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 110 |lon_min = 16 | lon_sec = 46 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[5 Wing Goose Bay|Goose Bay]]
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 53 |lat_min = 19 | lat_sec = 09 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 60 |lon_min = 25 | lon_sec = 33 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[8 Wing Trenton|Trenton]]
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 44 |lat_min = 07 | lat_sec = 08 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 77 |lon_min = 31 | lon_sec = 41 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[9 Wing Gander|Gander]]
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 48 |lat_min = 56 | lat_sec = 13 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 54 |lon_min = 34 | lon_sec = 05 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[CFB Halifax#Shearwater Heliport|Halifax]]
    | position = right
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 44 |lat_min = 38 | lat_sec = 14 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 63 |lon_min = 30 | lon_sec = 08 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[14 Wing Greenwood|Greenwood]]
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 44 |lat_min = 59 | lat_sec = 04 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 64 |lon_min = 55 | lon_sec = 01 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[17 Wing Winnipeg|Winnipeg]]
    | position = right
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 49 |lat_min = 54 | lat_sec = 36 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 97 |lon_min = 11 | lon_sec = 24 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[19 Wing Comox|Comox]]
    | position = right
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 49  |lat_min = 42 | lat_sec = 39 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 124 |lon_min = 53 | lon_sec = 12 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[22 Wing North Bay|North Bay]]
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 46 |lat_min = 21 | lat_sec = 26 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 79 |lon_min = 24 | lon_sec = 54 | lon_dir=W
  }}
  {{Location map~ | Canada
    | label = [[15 Wing Moose Jaw|Moose Jaw]]
    | position = left
    | background = white
    | mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
    | marksize = 10
    | lat_deg = 50  |lat_min = 19 | lat_sec = 49 | lat_dir=N
    | lon_deg = 105 |lon_min = 33 | lon_sec = 33 | lon_dir=W
  }}
}}
The [[commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force]], at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction to the Air Force. The commander of [[1 Canadian Air Division]] and Canadian NORAD Region, based in Winnipeg, is responsible for the operational command and control of Royal Canadian Air Force activities throughout Canada and worldwide. 2 Canadian Air Division was established in June 2009, and consists of training establishments. The other division, 3 Canadian Space Division, was established in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-22 |title=3 Canadian Space Division - Royal Canadian Air Force |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/corporate/3-canadian-space-division.html |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, there are 15 [[Wing (military aviation unit)|wing]]s across Canada, 13 operational and 2 used for training. Wings represent the grouping of various [[Squadron (aviation)|squadron]]s, both operational and support, under a single tactical commander reporting to the operational commander. Ten wings also include a Canadian Forces base along with other operational and support units.

The rank of [[General (Canada)|general]] is held when an [[air officer]] is [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]. The last air force officer who served as Chief of the Defence Staff was General [[Thomas J. Lawson]], who was appointed to the position in 2012. The commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force holds the rank of [[Lieutenant-general (Canada)|lieutenant-general]]. Divisions are commanded by major-generals. Brigadier-generals are typically second-in-command of a division. Wings are commanded by colonels. Squadrons are commanded by lieutenant-colonels. Majors are typically second-in-command of squadrons, or flight commanders. Captains, lieutenants and second lieutenants are the junior level leaders in RCAF squadrons and headquarters.

== Ranks ==
{{main|Canadian Armed Forces ranks and insignia}}
===Commander-in-Chief===
{| style="border:thin solid darkgray; padding:0.2em;"
|- style="background:#ddd;"
! Rank group || Commander-in-chief
|- align="center"
|Insignia || [[File:Royal Canadian Air Force sleeves (Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces).svg|55px]] [[File:Royal Canadian Air Force (Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces).svg|55px]]
|- align="center"
|Title || [[Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces|Commander-in-chief]]
|- align="center"
|| Abbreviation || C-in-C
|}

===Officers===
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Canada}}
|}

===Non-commissioned members===
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Canada}}
|}

On 1 April 2015, the rank structure and insignia changed.<ref name="CTV News story">[https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/new-royal-canadian-air-force-uniform-unveiled/ "New Royal Canadian Air Force uniform unveiled."]  ''CTV Ottawa''1 April 2015.</ref> The rank of private was replaced with that of aviator, represented with a propeller for the rank insignia. The previously used term "[[leading aircraftman]]" was considered not to be gender neutral.<ref name="DND Backgrounder">[http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=886249 "DND Backgrounder."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218195216/http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=886249 |date=2014-12-18 }} ''news.gc.ca'', April 2015.</ref> The rank insignia were also changed: enlisted ranks were changed from gold to pearl-grey (silver) and officers rank braid was changed from gold to pearl-grey on black, similar to the pattern used before unification of Canada's armed forces in 1968.<ref name="DND Backgrounder"/> A revival of the former rank titles of the RCAF did not occur, however, as such an extensive change was considered "too complicated and confusing".<ref name="CTV News story"/> Instead, the current rank titles were retained (with the exception of aviator). The [[Royal Flying Corps]], considered to be a predecessor of the RCAF, used rank titles similar to the existing rank titles of the RCAF.<ref name="DND Backgrounder"/>

==Symbols==
===Badge===
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1 = Rcaf_womens.jpg
 | caption1 = 1941–1946<br />([[Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division|Women's Division]] with [[Tudor crown]])
 | width1 = 90
 | image2 = Badge of the Royal Canadian Air Force.jpg
 | width2 = 80
 | caption2 = 1968–2013
 | image3 = Royal Canadian Air Force Badge.png
 | width3 = 105
 | caption3 = 2013–present
 |footer= Past versions of the badge used by the Royal Canadian Air Force, with the years they were in use listed above
}}
The [[Heraldic badge|badge]] of the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of:<ref name=Badge>{{cite web |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/2397 |title=Approval of a Badge |work=Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada |publisher=Official website of the Governor General |accessdate=November 8, 2021}}</ref>
* [[St. Edward's Crown]]
* An eagle superimposed on a circlet
* A [[Compartment (heraldry)|compartment]] of maple leaves
* Motto: {{lang|la|[[Sic itur ad astra|Sic Itur ad Astra]]}} ([[Latin]] for 'Such is the pathway to the stars')

===Roundels===
Roundels used from 1920 until 1945 were usually the same as [[Royal Air Force roundels]] although not all variations were used and colours were matched to locally available paints. On 5 July 1940, the RCAF was authorized to introduce the maple leaf into the roundel in place of the red centre. However, a large amount of RCAF planes still continued to use the RAF roundel until 1945 since their aircraft, including those built in Canada all came through RAF channels.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/customs-traditions/distinguishing-marks.html | title=Some Distinguishing Marks | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607174015/https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/customs-traditions/distinguishing-marks.html | archive-date=7 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rcafassociation.ca/origin-of-the-roundel/|title=Origin of the Roundel}}</ref>
<gallery class="center">
File:RCAF Type1 Roundel.png|1945–1946
File:Roundel of Canada (1946–1965).svg|1946–1965
File:Roundel of Canada (1967) – Centennial.svg|[[Canadian Centennial]]<br />1967 variant
File:Roundel of Canada.svg|1965–current
File:Roundel of Canada - Low Visibility.svg|Current<br />low-vis
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada}}
* [[List of aircraft of Canada's air forces]]
*[[Planned Canadian Forces projects]]
* [[Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* [[W. A. B. Douglas|Douglas, W. A. B.]] ''The Creation of a National Air Force: Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, v. 2.'' Toronto: University of Toronto Press (in co-operation with the Department of National Defence), 1986. {{ISBN|0-8020-2584-6}}.
*{{cite journal |last1=Green|first1=William|last2=Swanborough|first2=Gordon|name-list-style=amp |title=A Grumman by Any Other Name...|journal=Air Enthusiast |date=February–May 1979 |issue=9 |pages=26–39 |issn=0143-5450}}
* [[Larry Milberry|Milberry, Larry]], ed. ''Sixty Years: The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924–1984''. Toronto: Canav Books, 1984. {{ISBN|0-9690703-4-9}}.
* Piggott, Peter. ''Flying Canucks: Famous Canadian Aviators.'' Toronto: Hounslow Press, 1996. {{ISBN|0-88882-175-1}}.
* Piggott, Peter. ''Flying Canucks II: Pioneers of Canadian Aviation.'' Toronto: Hounslow Press, 1997. {{ISBN|0-88882-193-X}}.

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=648 Canadian Air Force aircraft and equipment of Canada(Air recognition)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019143604/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=648 |date=19 October 2013 }}
* [http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/382/Roundel-Round-Up.aspx "Roundel Round-Up" – Vintage Wings of Canada's history of British and Canadian roundel styles from 1914 through and into the 21st century] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403044408/http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/382/Roundel-Round-Up.aspx |date=2015-04-03 }}
* [https://archives-manuscripts.dartmouth.edu/repositories/2/resources/1061 ''The Royal Canadian Air Force in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic'' Manuscript] at Dartmouth College Library

{{Royal Canadian Air Force}}
{{Canadian Armed Forces}}
{{Evolution of the Military of Canada}}
{{Allied Air Command}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Space forces}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Royal Canadian Air Force| ]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1924]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Canada with royal patronage]]
[[Category:1968 disestablishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1968]]