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CF-105 Arrow Avro Canada
CF-105 Arrow
Interceptor

DESCRIPTION:
The CF-105 Arrow was designed to meet a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) requirement for a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor to compliment the CF-100. The Arrow that finally emerged was a remarkably advanced and sophisticated fighter. The design featured a high-mounted delta wing and a thin fuselage containing two powerful turbojets and an internal weapons bay. It was hoped that the CF-105 could achieve Mach 2.5, although the rapid evolution of engine technology during the 1950s and 1960s indicated that Mach 3 would be possible in the future.
By April 1954, Avro Canada had already begun the manufacture of five Arrow Mk.1 prototypes powered by US Pratt & Whitney turbojets. Production Arrow Mk.2 models were to be equipped with Canadian-built Iroquois turbojets producing an additional 4,500 lb (20 kN) of thrust each.
Though the Arrow development program was on course to producing a truly remarkable aircraft, the entire project was cancelled on 20 February 1959 because politicians felt that manned aircraft were soon to be made obsolete by surface-to-air missiles. The program's escalating costs likely also played a significant role in cancellation of the CF-105. As if to ensure that no future government would counteract the desicion, all five Arrow Mk.1s, one completed Arrow Mk.2 and four Arrow Mk.2s under construction were ordered to be detroyed. The cancellation forced Avro Canada to lay off over 80% of its work force and decimated other subcontractors throughout Canada. It is estimated that approximately 50,000 jobs were lost when the Arrow program ended, and the Canadian aerospace industry was never able to recover.
Last modified 07 October 2010

HISTORY:

First Flight 25 March 1958

Service Entry

did not enter service

CREW:

two: pilot, radar operator

ESTIMATED COST:

unknown

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root NACA 0003.5 mod

Wing Tip NACA 0003.8 mod

DIMENSIONS:

Length 77.81 ft (23.715 m)

Wingspan 50.00 ft (15.24 m)

Height 21.25 ft (6.477 m)

Wing Area 1,225 ft² (113.8 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty 49,040 lb (22,245 kg)

Normal Takeoff 57,000 lb (25,855 kg)

Max Takeoff 62,430 lb (28,315 kg)

Fuel Capacity internal: 2,900 gal (13,170 L)
external: 500 gal (2,275 L)

Max Payload

unknown

PROPULSION:

Powerplant (Arrow Mk.1) two Pratt & Whitney J75-3/5 afterburning turbojets
(Arrow Mk.2) two Orenda PS-13 Iroquois afteburning turbojets

Thrust (Arrow Mk.1) 47,000 lb (209.1 kN)
(Arrow Mk.2) 56,000 lb (249.1 kN)

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: Mach 2.5 [Arrow Mk.2]
Mach 2.2 [Arrow Mk.1]
at sea level: unknown

Initial Climb Rate unknown

Service Ceiling 58,500 ft (17,850 m)

Range typical: unknown
ferry: unknown

g-Limits unknown

ARMAMENT:

Gun none (?)

Stations one internal weapons bay

Air-to-Air Missile 8 Sparrow AAM

Air-to-Surface Missile none

Bomb none

Other none

KNOWN VARIANTS:

Arrow Mk.1 Prototype; 5 built

Arrow Mk.2 Production model with a new engine; only 1 completed before project cancellation

KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:

none

KNOWN OPERATORS:

Canada (Royal Canadian Air Force)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

CF-105 Arrow

SOURCES:

Air Vectors Avro Arrow site

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 88, Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow.

Winchester, Jim. Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2005, p. 20-21, Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow.

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DESCRIPTION: The CF-105 Arrow was designed to meet a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) requirement for a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor to compliment the CF-100. The Arrow that finally emerged was a remarkably advanced and sophisticated fighter. The design featured a high-mounted delta wing and a thin fuselage containing two powerful turbojets and an internal weapons bay. It was hoped that the CF-105 could achieve Mach 2.5, although the rapid evolution of engine technology during the 1950s and 1960s indicated that Mach 3 would be possible in the future. By April 1954, Avro Canada had already begun the manufacture of five Arrow Mk.1 prototypes powered by US Pratt & Whitney turbojets. Production Arrow Mk.2 models were to be equipped with Canadian-built Iroquois turbojets producing an additional 4,500 lb (20 kN) of thrust each. Though the Arrow development program was on course to producing a truly remarkable aircraft, the entire project was cancelled on 20 February 1959 because politicians felt that manned aircraft were soon to be made obsolete by surface-to-air missiles. The program's escalating costs likely also played a significant role in cancellation of the CF-105. As if to ensure that no future government would counteract the desicion, all five Arrow Mk.1s, one completed Arrow Mk.2 and four Arrow Mk.2s under construction were ordered to be detroyed. The cancellation forced Avro Canada to lay off over 80% of its work force and decimated other subcontractors throughout Canada. It is estimated that approximately 50,000 jobs were lost when the Arrow program ended, and the Canadian aerospace industry was never able to recover. Last modified 07 October 2010
HISTORY:
First Flight	25 March 1958
Service Entry	did not enter service
CREW:	two: pilot, radar operator
ESTIMATED COST:	unknown
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	NACA 0003.5 mod
Wing Tip	NACA 0003.8 mod
DIMENSIONS:
Length	77.81 ft (23.715 m)
Wingspan	50.00 ft (15.24 m)
Height	21.25 ft (6.477 m)
Wing Area	1,225 ft² (113.8 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	49,040 lb (22,245 kg)
Normal Takeoff	57,000 lb (25,855 kg)
Max Takeoff	62,430 lb (28,315 kg)
Fuel Capacity	internal: 2,900 gal (13,170 L) external: 500 gal (2,275 L)
Max Payload	unknown
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	(Arrow Mk.1) two Pratt & Whitney J75-3/5 afterburning turbojets (Arrow Mk.2) two Orenda PS-13 Iroquois afteburning turbojets
Thrust	(Arrow Mk.1) 47,000 lb (209.1 kN) (Arrow Mk.2) 56,000 lb (249.1 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: Mach 2.5 [Arrow Mk.2] Mach 2.2 [Arrow Mk.1] at sea level: unknown
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	58,500 ft (17,850 m)
Range	typical: unknown ferry: unknown
g-Limits	unknown
ARMAMENT:
Gun	none (?)
Stations	one internal weapons bay
Air-to-Air Missile	8 Sparrow AAM
Air-to-Surface Missile	none
Bomb	none
Other	none
KNOWN VARIANTS:
Arrow Mk.1	Prototype; 5 built
Arrow Mk.2	Production model with a new engine; only 1 completed before project cancellation
KNOWN COMBAT RECORD:	none
KNOWN OPERATORS:	Canada (Royal Canadian Air Force)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Air Vectors Avro Arrow site Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 88, Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow. Winchester, Jim. Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 2005, p. 20-21, Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow.