BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA

When Saab first hinted that its offer would include Canadian-built Gripens, many assumed that Bombardier would be the likely partner.  It seems obvious, Bombardier is Canada's largest (only?) aircraft manufacturer, and they certainly could use the extra cash. The trouble is with that assumption is that Bombardier does not build military aircraft.  Well...  Sort of...  Bombardier designs have been used as the underlying platform for several military aircraft, notably Raytheon's Sentinel R1 and Saab's GlobalEye and Swordfish (all based on the Global 6000), but Bombardier itself has never aspired to compete in the defence market.  Sure, they did buy out the remains of Canadair , but that was forever ago. Saab has instead chosen to partner up with IMP Aerospace and Defence .  This announcement  likely threw a few people off, as IMP is not as well known as Bombardier.  Also, technically , IMP does not actually manufacture any aircraft...

CF-104 Starfighter in "Tiger Meet" livery. For some reason, the two-versus-single-engine debate never seems to go away. Possibly the day before the Harper government announces its plan to replace the CF-18, a new study questions the wisdom of going with a single engine aircraft. Morbidly entitled "One Dead Pilot", the study concludes that the single engine F-35 is a poor choice for Canada due to its single engine design.  The piece often compares the F-35 to the infamous CF-104 Starfighter, a fighter that earned the nickname "Widowmaker" due to its sketchy (and deadly) safety record. One Dead Pilot 9 June 2014 Byers Embargoed 2 For one thing, the CF-104 is a TERRIBLE example of single-engined jet fighter safety.  The Starfighter was notoriously unforgiving, being little more than a "missile with a man in it".  Its tiny wings provided the glide characteristics of a lawn dart, and its onboard diagnostic systems would be considered ...