The CC-144 Challenger, DND’s twin-engine, long-range executive jet, offers rapid air transportation to Canadian and international VIPs. With a range of up to 5930 km and a maximum speed of Mach 0.83, the Challenger can quickly deliver passengers almost anywhere in the world.
The Air Force’s Challenger fleet includes four VIP aircraft and two utility aircraft. The utility jets are used for military transport and can be configured for medical evacuations (medevacs) when our troops are in need. The CC-144’s crew consists of two pilots, one flight engineer and one flight steward to tend to government officials and foreign dignitaries.
In its role as a VIP transport, the Challenger has supported many international humanitarian and diplomatic efforts. The jet carried Canada’s Minister of International Development to Jakarta, Indonesia in support of our aid efforts after the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. A Challenger also flew former Prime Ministers Paul Martin and John Turner to Kiev, Ukraine to monitor the 2004 free elections.
The CC-144 continues to fly missions in support of ongoing Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan.
