EvanL
07-07-2004, 08:47 PM
The Canadian Forces inherited its designation system for aircraft from the RCAF. Upon unification, century series designations were also applied to former aircraft of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army. The CF designation system consists of role codes preceded by a C for Canada followed by type numbers.
CF role code letters are explained in the tables (right). Note that roles are not specified for helicopters. There are also official role codes which have never been applied as well as unofficial codes/ suffixes which have (eg: the Hercules used for in-flight refuelling have been unofficially referred to as KCC-130H and CC-130H(T).
A suffix letter indicates either a major modification (eg: CH-124A) or model change (eg: CH-113A the suffixed CP-140A Arcturus is an anomoly which also received a new name). There has been an attempt to bring suffixes in line with US practices (eg: single/ two-seat CF-18s were designated CF-188A/D not CF-188A/B).
Since the CF took on, and perpetuated, the RCAFs designation system, the entire century series is listed below. Note that CF designation lists are arranged purely numerically (in constrast to the US system where alpha-numerical listings are employed).
CF Role Code Letters
CC Transport (Cargo)
CF Fighter
CH Helicopter
CP Patrol
CT Trainer
CU UAV
Codes Not Currently in Use
CE Electronic Warfare
CO Observation
Unapplied Role Code Letters
A Attack
B Bomber
K Tanker
R Reconnaissance
S anti-Submarine
V V/STOL
Codes Not Currently in Use
CSR Search and Rescue
CX Experimental
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Desig.
Name
Maker/Type [1]
Status [2]
Notes
CF-100
Canuck
Avro Canada C-100
1981
EW trainer (at end of career)
CF-101
Voodoo
McDonnell Douglas
1984
NORAD interceptor / US F-101
( -102)
type number unassigned
( -103)
Avro Canada CF-103
(cancelled fighter project)
CF-104
Starfighter
Canadair (Lockheed) CL-90
1986
NATO fighter / fighter-bomber
CF-105
Arrow
Avro Canada C-105
1959
(cancelled fighter project)
CC-106
Yukon
Canadair CL-44
1971
Britannia-based transport
CP-107
Argus
Canadair CL-28
1982
Britannia patrol derivative
CC-108
Caribou
DeHavilland Canada DHC-4
1971
Replaced by CC-115 Buffalo
CC-109
Cosmopolitan
Canadair (Convair) CL-66
1996
Refurbished then retired
CSR-110
Albatross
Grumman G-111
1970
Last flying boat/US HU-16
(CF-111)
Starfighter
Canadair (Lockheed) CL-90
original designation for CF-104
CH-112
Nomad
Hiller UH-12
1972
Helicopter trainer / US OH-23
CH-113
Labrador
Boeing-Vertol Model 107
1963 -
ex-RCAF Labradors / US CH-46
CH-113A
Labrador
Boeing-Vertol Model 107
1963 -
ex-Canadian Army Voyageurs
CT-114
Tutor
Canadair CL-41A
1963 -
Snowbirds aerobatic team
CC-115
Buffalo
DeHavilland Canada DHC-5A
1967 -
Search and Rescue (1973)
CF-116
CF-5
Canadair (Northrop) CL-219
1996
US F-5 Freedom Fighter
CH-117
Falcon
Dassault-Breguet Mystιre 20C
1987
EW trainer replaced by CE-144
CH-118
Iroquois
Bell Model 205 Huey
1995
SAR (Canadian Army order)
CO-119
Bird Dog
Cessna Model 305/Model 182
1973
AOP/FAC then to Air Cadets
CT-120
Chipmunk
DeHavilland Canada DHC-1
1971
ab initio trainer repl. by CT-134
CP-121
Tracker
DHC (Grumman) G89
1990
ex-RCN CSF-2/US S2F, S-2
CP-122
Neptune
Lockheed Model 26
1968
US P2V/P-2, repl. by CP-121
CC-123
Otter
DeHavilland Canada DHC-3
1982
Utility transport (change 1976)
CSR-123
Otter
DeHavilland Canada DHC-3
Original SAR desig. for CC-123
CH-124
Sea King
Sikorsky Model S-61A
1963 -
ex-RCN CHSS-2 / US SH-3
CH-125
Flying Banana
Vertol (Piaseki) Model 42
1967
SAR helicopter / US H-21A
CH-126
H-34
Sikorsky Model S-58
1971
US H-34 Choctaw/Seahorse
CH-127
Flying Banana
Vertol (Piaseki) Model 44
1968
Similar to CH-125 / US H-21B
CT-128
Expeditor
Beech 18 (Models C18S/D18S)
1968
ex-RCAF Expeditors Mk1/2/3
CC-129
Dakota
Douglas DC-3
1989
Transport/nav trainer, US C-47
CC-130
Hercules
Lockheed Model L-100/C-130
1964 - (E)
US C-130E/C-130H/C-130H-30
CX-131
Dynavert
Canadair CL-84-1
1973
Tiltwing V/STOL prototypes
CC-132
Dash 7
DeHavilland Canada DHC-7
1987
Replaced by CC-142 Dash 8
CT-133
Silver Star
Canadair (Lockheed) T-33 AN
2002
See: CATS EW training project
CT-134
Musketeer
Beech C23 Muskateer
1992
Muskrat II based on Sundowner
CH-135
Twin Huey
Bell Model 212
1995
PT6-powered utility helicopter
CH-136
Kiowa
Bell Model 206A
1994
Observation helicopter / US OH-58A
CC-137
Husky
Boeing Model B707-347C
1997
Transport/air-air refueling tanker
CC-138
Twin Otter
DeHavilland Canada DHC-6
1971 -
Twotter SAR / utility transport
CH-139
Jetranger
Bell Model 206B
1992
Kiowa replacement now leased
CP-140
Aurora
Lockheed Model 285B Orion
1980 -
US P-3 airframe with S-3 avionics
CP-140A
Arcturus
Lockheed Model 285L Orion
1992 -
P-3 with stripped-down avionics
CC-141
Starlifter
Lockheed Model 300
US C-141 (order was cancelled)
CC-142
Dash 8
DeHavilland Canada Dash-8
2003
Dash 7 replacement transport
CT-142
Gonzo
DeHavilland Canada Dash-8T
1989 -
Dash 8 Navigation trainer
CH-143
BK 117
Eurocopter (MBB) BK 117A-3D
1991
Canadian BK 117 prototype
CC-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-600S/601/604
1983 -
Mid-/Long-range transport
CE-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-600S/CL-601
2000
EW trainer conversions
CP-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-600S/CL-601
2000
Maritime patrol conversions
CX-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-601
1993
601 prototype (AETE, Cold Lake)
CT-145
King Air
Beech B200 Super King Air
1995
Multi-engine trainer
CH-146
Griffon
Bell-Textron Model 412CF
1994 -
Tactical utility helicopter
CH-147
Chinook
Boeing-Vertol Model 173
1991
Sold to Holland / US CH-47
CH-148
Petrel
EH Industries EH.101 (ASW)
MHP (order cancelled)
CH-149
Chimo
EH Industries EH.101 (SAR)
MHP (order cancelled)
CH-149
Cormorant
EH Industries EH.101 (utility)
2001 -
MHP SAR replacement
CC-150
Polaris
Airbus Industries A310-304F
1992 -
Transport and air-air tanker
(151 154)
type numbers unassigned
CT-155
Hawk
BAE Systems Hawk 115
leased
Bombardier NFTC trainer
CT-156
Harvard II
Raytheon (Pilatus) PC-9
leased
Bombardier NFTC trainer
(157 160)
(possibly trial UAV designations)
type numbers unassigned
CU-161
Sperwer
SAGEM
2003 -
Tactical UAV
(162 187)
(poss. includes Silver Fox UAV)
type numbers unassigned
CF-188
CF-18
McDonnell Douglas Model 267
1982 -
US F/A-18 Hornet
[1] Maker/Type: for licence-built aircraft, licencee names appear first followed by the names of the original manufacturers in parentheses.
[2] Status: listed years indicate the dates of entry into CF (or precessor) service. If preceded by symbol, the year an aircraft type struck off. Leased aircraft given designations (CH-143, CT-155, CT-156) are listed, undesignated aircraft (Beech B90, Slingsby Firefly etc) are not.
http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-cfairdesig.htm
CF role code letters are explained in the tables (right). Note that roles are not specified for helicopters. There are also official role codes which have never been applied as well as unofficial codes/ suffixes which have (eg: the Hercules used for in-flight refuelling have been unofficially referred to as KCC-130H and CC-130H(T).
A suffix letter indicates either a major modification (eg: CH-124A) or model change (eg: CH-113A the suffixed CP-140A Arcturus is an anomoly which also received a new name). There has been an attempt to bring suffixes in line with US practices (eg: single/ two-seat CF-18s were designated CF-188A/D not CF-188A/B).
Since the CF took on, and perpetuated, the RCAFs designation system, the entire century series is listed below. Note that CF designation lists are arranged purely numerically (in constrast to the US system where alpha-numerical listings are employed).
CF Role Code Letters
CC Transport (Cargo)
CF Fighter
CH Helicopter
CP Patrol
CT Trainer
CU UAV
Codes Not Currently in Use
CE Electronic Warfare
CO Observation
Unapplied Role Code Letters
A Attack
B Bomber
K Tanker
R Reconnaissance
S anti-Submarine
V V/STOL
Codes Not Currently in Use
CSR Search and Rescue
CX Experimental
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Desig.
Name
Maker/Type [1]
Status [2]
Notes
CF-100
Canuck
Avro Canada C-100
1981
EW trainer (at end of career)
CF-101
Voodoo
McDonnell Douglas
1984
NORAD interceptor / US F-101
( -102)
type number unassigned
( -103)
Avro Canada CF-103
(cancelled fighter project)
CF-104
Starfighter
Canadair (Lockheed) CL-90
1986
NATO fighter / fighter-bomber
CF-105
Arrow
Avro Canada C-105
1959
(cancelled fighter project)
CC-106
Yukon
Canadair CL-44
1971
Britannia-based transport
CP-107
Argus
Canadair CL-28
1982
Britannia patrol derivative
CC-108
Caribou
DeHavilland Canada DHC-4
1971
Replaced by CC-115 Buffalo
CC-109
Cosmopolitan
Canadair (Convair) CL-66
1996
Refurbished then retired
CSR-110
Albatross
Grumman G-111
1970
Last flying boat/US HU-16
(CF-111)
Starfighter
Canadair (Lockheed) CL-90
original designation for CF-104
CH-112
Nomad
Hiller UH-12
1972
Helicopter trainer / US OH-23
CH-113
Labrador
Boeing-Vertol Model 107
1963 -
ex-RCAF Labradors / US CH-46
CH-113A
Labrador
Boeing-Vertol Model 107
1963 -
ex-Canadian Army Voyageurs
CT-114
Tutor
Canadair CL-41A
1963 -
Snowbirds aerobatic team
CC-115
Buffalo
DeHavilland Canada DHC-5A
1967 -
Search and Rescue (1973)
CF-116
CF-5
Canadair (Northrop) CL-219
1996
US F-5 Freedom Fighter
CH-117
Falcon
Dassault-Breguet Mystιre 20C
1987
EW trainer replaced by CE-144
CH-118
Iroquois
Bell Model 205 Huey
1995
SAR (Canadian Army order)
CO-119
Bird Dog
Cessna Model 305/Model 182
1973
AOP/FAC then to Air Cadets
CT-120
Chipmunk
DeHavilland Canada DHC-1
1971
ab initio trainer repl. by CT-134
CP-121
Tracker
DHC (Grumman) G89
1990
ex-RCN CSF-2/US S2F, S-2
CP-122
Neptune
Lockheed Model 26
1968
US P2V/P-2, repl. by CP-121
CC-123
Otter
DeHavilland Canada DHC-3
1982
Utility transport (change 1976)
CSR-123
Otter
DeHavilland Canada DHC-3
Original SAR desig. for CC-123
CH-124
Sea King
Sikorsky Model S-61A
1963 -
ex-RCN CHSS-2 / US SH-3
CH-125
Flying Banana
Vertol (Piaseki) Model 42
1967
SAR helicopter / US H-21A
CH-126
H-34
Sikorsky Model S-58
1971
US H-34 Choctaw/Seahorse
CH-127
Flying Banana
Vertol (Piaseki) Model 44
1968
Similar to CH-125 / US H-21B
CT-128
Expeditor
Beech 18 (Models C18S/D18S)
1968
ex-RCAF Expeditors Mk1/2/3
CC-129
Dakota
Douglas DC-3
1989
Transport/nav trainer, US C-47
CC-130
Hercules
Lockheed Model L-100/C-130
1964 - (E)
US C-130E/C-130H/C-130H-30
CX-131
Dynavert
Canadair CL-84-1
1973
Tiltwing V/STOL prototypes
CC-132
Dash 7
DeHavilland Canada DHC-7
1987
Replaced by CC-142 Dash 8
CT-133
Silver Star
Canadair (Lockheed) T-33 AN
2002
See: CATS EW training project
CT-134
Musketeer
Beech C23 Muskateer
1992
Muskrat II based on Sundowner
CH-135
Twin Huey
Bell Model 212
1995
PT6-powered utility helicopter
CH-136
Kiowa
Bell Model 206A
1994
Observation helicopter / US OH-58A
CC-137
Husky
Boeing Model B707-347C
1997
Transport/air-air refueling tanker
CC-138
Twin Otter
DeHavilland Canada DHC-6
1971 -
Twotter SAR / utility transport
CH-139
Jetranger
Bell Model 206B
1992
Kiowa replacement now leased
CP-140
Aurora
Lockheed Model 285B Orion
1980 -
US P-3 airframe with S-3 avionics
CP-140A
Arcturus
Lockheed Model 285L Orion
1992 -
P-3 with stripped-down avionics
CC-141
Starlifter
Lockheed Model 300
US C-141 (order was cancelled)
CC-142
Dash 8
DeHavilland Canada Dash-8
2003
Dash 7 replacement transport
CT-142
Gonzo
DeHavilland Canada Dash-8T
1989 -
Dash 8 Navigation trainer
CH-143
BK 117
Eurocopter (MBB) BK 117A-3D
1991
Canadian BK 117 prototype
CC-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-600S/601/604
1983 -
Mid-/Long-range transport
CE-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-600S/CL-601
2000
EW trainer conversions
CP-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-600S/CL-601
2000
Maritime patrol conversions
CX-144
Challenger
Canadair CL-601
1993
601 prototype (AETE, Cold Lake)
CT-145
King Air
Beech B200 Super King Air
1995
Multi-engine trainer
CH-146
Griffon
Bell-Textron Model 412CF
1994 -
Tactical utility helicopter
CH-147
Chinook
Boeing-Vertol Model 173
1991
Sold to Holland / US CH-47
CH-148
Petrel
EH Industries EH.101 (ASW)
MHP (order cancelled)
CH-149
Chimo
EH Industries EH.101 (SAR)
MHP (order cancelled)
CH-149
Cormorant
EH Industries EH.101 (utility)
2001 -
MHP SAR replacement
CC-150
Polaris
Airbus Industries A310-304F
1992 -
Transport and air-air tanker
(151 154)
type numbers unassigned
CT-155
Hawk
BAE Systems Hawk 115
leased
Bombardier NFTC trainer
CT-156
Harvard II
Raytheon (Pilatus) PC-9
leased
Bombardier NFTC trainer
(157 160)
(possibly trial UAV designations)
type numbers unassigned
CU-161
Sperwer
SAGEM
2003 -
Tactical UAV
(162 187)
(poss. includes Silver Fox UAV)
type numbers unassigned
CF-188
CF-18
McDonnell Douglas Model 267
1982 -
US F/A-18 Hornet
[1] Maker/Type: for licence-built aircraft, licencee names appear first followed by the names of the original manufacturers in parentheses.
[2] Status: listed years indicate the dates of entry into CF (or precessor) service. If preceded by symbol, the year an aircraft type struck off. Leased aircraft given designations (CH-143, CT-155, CT-156) are listed, undesignated aircraft (Beech B90, Slingsby Firefly etc) are not.
http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-cfairdesig.htm