Aircraft

Canada's military has decided to upgrade 10 of its 18 Lockheed Martin CP-140 Auroras, rather than replace the entire fleet with a new maritime patrol aircraft.

The decision, announced on 18 December, lifts a suspension order on the next phase of modernisation and structural repair work on 10 CP-140s, the Canadian military's designation for Lockheed's P-3 Orion.

The decision also ends speculation that Canada could retire its CP-140s and buy a new maritime surveillance fleet based on the Boeing P-8A Poseidon or an adaptation of Raytheon's Bombardier Global Express-based airborne stand-off radar system.

"The Aurora will provide the air force with a significant surveillance capability until a future replacement capability is acquired," says chief of air staff Lt Gen Angus Watt.

The planned radar upgrade and structural enhancements, possibly including a rewinging, should keep the CP-140 fleet airworthy and operationally viable through 2020. Some of the radar and mission system upgrades may then be transferred and "re-invested" in the replacement aircraft, says Canada's Department of National Defense.

Three aircraft have already been delivered to begin phase two of the Aurora modernisation programme, which includes the radar and "core" structural upgrades. A prototype aircraft for phase three has also been inducted for a two-year modification and testing period, with first flight scheduled in early 2009.