IMP Group Limited, Aerospace Division announced today that it will be rolling out the first re-winged CP-140 Aurora aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). These aircraft are receiving new wings as part of a mid-life structural upgrade being carried out by IMP Aerospace.
The wing replacement is part of the Aurora Structural Life Extension Project (ASLEP), which also includes the replacement of the center wing lower surface and horizontal stabilizer. Ultimately, all life limiting structure is replaced with new components made from advanced alloys that offer a five-fold increase in corrosion resistance, providing a significant reduction in future maintenance and sustainment costs.
IMP has been contracted by the RCAF to refit ten CP-140 Aurora aircraft under the ASLEP program. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, the CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft has been modified to expand its capabilities and can now take on a much broader range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, both at home and abroad.
David Gossen, IMP Aerospace President, stated, “IMP Aerospace has been supporting the CP-140 Aurora since its entry into service with the RCAF in 1981. The completion of the first ASLEP aircraft represents a major milestone for IMP Aerospace. Our company has made a significant investment in our people and facilities to establish this world-class capability, including construction of a purpose-built hangar equipped with specialized tooling to support major structural upgrades such as wing replacement, as well as extensive training for our employees. For the RCAF, the ASLEP installation provides an economic service life extension of an additional 15,000 flight hours, allowing them to keep this strategic asset operational for decades to come. IMP stands ready to carry out the ASLEP modification of Canada’s remaining fleet of CP-140 Aurora aircraft, thus providing the RCAF with a fully standardized fleet to support the demanding operational requirements over land and sea.”
“The Royal Canadian Air Force’s CP-140 Aurora fleet is a critical asset to the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community around the world. Lockheed Martin is honored to support both the RCAF and IMP in providing these new modernized CP-140s,” said Ray Burick, Lockheed Martin Vice President of P-3 Programs and Greenville Operations. “We look forward to continuing these relationships as we are committed to enabling CP-140 fleet operations for decades to come.”
Source: IMP Group
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