Soldiers from the Canadian Scottish Regiment aboard an RCAF CH-146 Griffon tactical helicopter at 19 Wing/CFB Comox.
The CH-146 is the Canadian military designation for the Bell 412CF, a modified Bell 412, ordered by Canada in 1992. The CH-146 was built at the Bell Canadian plant in Mirabel, Quebec. They were delivered between 1995 and 1997 in a Combat Support Squadron (CSS) for search and rescue missions, and a Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter (UTTH) configuration.
Above, a Griffon from 424 (Tiger) Squadron Search and Rescue/Transport Squadron working out of #9 Hangar at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton.
The Griffon can also be equipped with a Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) system, a Wescam MX-15 electro-optical imaging system, a powerful Nitesun searchlight, and armoured floors and crew seats.
A CH-146 Griffon helicopter participating in a medical evacuation exercise at the Baker Island Training Area at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton.
The aircraft can carry up to 13 people (two pilots, a flight engineer and 10 passengers) and has a maximum gross weight of nearly 5,400 kilograms. The Griffon can reach speeds up to 260 kilometres per hour.
- Length: 17.1 m
- Rotor span: 14 m
- Height: 4.6 m
- Empty Weight: 3,500 kg
- Maximum takeoff weight: 5,355 kg
- Power: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3D turboshaft engine, 900 shp
- Maximum Speed: 260 km/h
- Cruise speed: 220 km/h
- Range: 656 km
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.86 m/s)
- Power/mass: 0.2663 hp/lb (437 W/kg)
- Crew: 2 pilots, 1 flight engineer
- Passengers: 10
- Year(s) procured: 1995 to 1997