Avro Canada - CF-106 Lance Mk.1
The
Avro Canada CF-106 Lance is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Avro Canada in the Canada. It is considered to belong to the Canadian third-generation jet fighter category. Development began as early as 1959 when the Avro design team realized the Arrow would only be capable of performing very limited roles such as interception and reconnaissance and I wouldn’t be long before the RCAF asked for a more versatile aircraft to complement the Arrow.
The CF-106's predecessor, the CF-105, was fast but limited in its operational capabilities by its large size, narrow role and lack of maneuverability. The CF-106 was to be a smaller, more versatile machine designed to remedy these deficiencies, and match other aircraft like the F-4 Phantom. The new fighter was to feature improved sensors and weapon system capable of firing beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles and also ground attack weapons.
A major design consideration was take-off and landing performance. The CF-105 with its large delta wing required very long runways which restricted their tactical usefulness. The RCAF demanded the new aircraft have a much shorter take-off run. Low-level speed and handling was also to be improved over the CF-105. This led Avro to consider lift jets, to provide an additional lift component, and variable-geometry wings designs.
The order to start series production of the CF-106 was given in December 1963. The first production CF-106 took to the air on 11 May 1965. The General Dynamics F-111 and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II were the main Western influences on the CF-106. The Canadians, however, wanted a much lighter fighter to maximize agility. Both the F-111 and the F-4 were designed as fighters, but the heavy weight and inherent stability of the F-111 turned it into a long-range interdictor and kept it out of the fighter role and the Phantom suffered considerable stability problems. The CF-106’s designers kept the CF-106 lighter than the F-4 and agile enough to dogfight with enemy fighters.
Specifications
General characteristics
Crew: One or two
Length: 16.59 m
Wingspan: 15.40
Height: 5.30 m
Empty weight: 10,500 kg
Loaded weight: 16,700 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 19,000 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Orenda Iroquois Mk.3 afterburning turbojet, (11,800 lbf / 16,700 lbf)
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.32, 2,445 km/h at altitude; Mach 1.14, 1,350 km/h at sea level (1,553 mph / 840 mph)
Range: 1,570 km with six AAMs combat, 3850 km ferry
Service ceiling: 18,500 m (60,696 ft)