Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Canada’s Multi-Mission Aircraft Team?

  • Bombardier Defense and General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada have joined forces as Canada’s Multi-Mission Aircraft Team to collaborate on delivering the next generation Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA).
  • This next-generation Multi-Mission and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft is based on the Global 6500 aircraft and it will meet and exceed the requirements set by the Government of Canada.

What makes the Bombardier Defense and General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada product stand out as the right choice for CMMA?

  • The foundation for Canada's Multi-Mission Aircraft Team’s solution is the highly efficient and agile Global 6500 aircraft, the right-sized jet for the CMMA.
  • The Global 6500 aircraft has next-generation engines, travels at a great distance, has a proven track record of reliability, burns less fuel and is shown to have exceptional fuel efficiency as documented in the jet’s recently published Environmental Product Declaration.
  • The Global family of aircraft is the platform of choice for over 10 different mission types across the globe, given its ability to deploy in harsh weather conditions with full mission payload, its ultimate combination of speed, range and endurance, and its 24/7 worldwide support infrastructure.
  • The aircraft will host General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada's best-in-class integrated mission systems, drawing directly from Canada’s investment in the newly modernized CP-140 Aurora and CH-148 Cyclone.
  • This operationally-proven Canadian design forms the basis for the iterative and low-risk integration of modernized sensors and systems enabling Canada to leap even further ahead of peers and adversaries alike.
  • This CMMA solution that is being proposed will make Canada a trailblazer in defense technology amongst its allies and set new standards around the world. 

The Government of Canada has made it clear that they want the Boeing P-8, why is Bombardier Defense and General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada working on CMMA when a choice has been made?

  • The Government of Canada has not made a final decision regarding the CMMA program and has not yet considered all options for a next-generation Multi-Mission Aircraft to answer the needs of Canada.
  • Bombardier Defense and General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada are calling for a competitive, fair and transparent procurement process that will allow for Canadian innovation to be the ultimate solution for Canada’s defense needs.

How would Canada benefit from choosing a Global 6500 aircraft for the CMMA program?

  • There is a unique opportunity to leverage an innovative and flexible solution that is built for Canada’s climate, by Canadians, and that is the right choice for the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft. 
  • Bombardier employs more than 11,000 people in Canada across various sectors and generates a significant impact on Canadian economic growth by having contributed nearly $5.7 billion in GDP in 2021, with the majority of its impact being concentrated in Greater Montreal and the Greater Toronto Area.
  • General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada directly employs more than 4,200 employees, sustains another 16,200 jobs across Canada, and contributes over $1.8 billion in GDP.
  • General Dynamics is also responsible for 1 in 4 jobs in Canada’s defense industry.
  • With Canada’s largest business jet manufacturer and Canada’s largest defense contractor joining forces to find a Canadian solution, this will represent a unique opportunity to boost the Canadian economy, create jobs across North America, generate opportunities for suppliers in various sectors of the market, and cost less to Canadian taxpayers in both acquisition and operating costs.

How does this partnership affect the investments the Government of Canada has made in the CP-140 Aurora Incremental Modernization Project (AIMP) and the Aurora Structural Life Extension Project (ASLEP)?

  • General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada supports the Government of Canada in leveraging the CP-140 Aurora Incremental Modernization Project (AIMP) and Aurora Structural Life Extension Project (ASLEP), which will extend the operational life of the CP-140 Aurora into the 2030s.
  • The published CMMA procurement timeframe allows a sufficient time for the Department of National Defence to fully engage with the Canadian industry to support a homegrown, Canadian-based solution such as the ASW & ISR Global 6500 aircraft and to explore options that meet Canada’s Multi-Mission Aircraft needs.
  • This is especially important to the Canadian aerospace industry given these types of procurement projects are rare and offer an opportunity to bolster Canadian technologies and capabilities.

Which weapon type are you installing on the Global 6500 aircraft for the CMMA program?

  • The Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) will be equipped in accordance with the mission for which it is deployed, whether it is to fly Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, conduct maritime and overland surveillance, for search and rescue (SAR), or for anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
  • The aircraft will be configured in accordance with equipment furnished by the Government of Canada.
  • The rendering Bombardier has provided to illustrate Bombardier Defense and Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada’s collaboration integrates torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

Are Bombardier and General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada unnecessarily stalling a government process for their benefit?

  • The government-published CMMA procurement timeframe allows a sufficient time for the Department of National Defence to fully engage with the Canadian industry and sets the timeline of replacing the Aurora in a way to leverage Canadian innovation to seize this generational opportunity.
  • Bombardier and General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada are unable to stall a government process that has not officially begun.
  • The Government of Canada is being called upon by industry leaders across the nation to launch a fair and transparent procurement process for a multi-billion-dollar contract that will dictate the future of Canada’s defense, but also create a next-generation technology for all of Canada’s allies to benefit from.
  • Most importantly, Canadian taxpayers deserve a fact-based decision to be made, with the best technology possible to keep Canada’s borders safe.

Who will bear the developmental costs, plus the time of development required to field a multi-mission aircraft?

  • It is important to note that Bombardier is proposing a derivative design based on existing engineering capabilities, similar to many projects that are successfully being delivered today.
  • Paired with General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada expertise, this solution will not only be best in class, but it will also be affordable.
  •  Any additional engineering required will be cost-effectively integrated into a next generation aircraft with improved performance, low operating costs, a relatively small CO2 footprint and with impactful local economic benefits.
  • We will be in a position to give an exact price once the Government of Canada opens the procurement process.
  • Based on our strong proven track record delivering missionized aircraft and mission systems on schedule and on budget, Bombardier and its partners will be able to deliver the CMMA aircraft well within the published timeframe by the Government of Canada.