Royal Canadian Air Force Completes First CP-140 Aurora Structural Upgrade

A ceremony was held at IMP Aerospace's facility in Enfield, Nova Scotia, on December 9 to mark completion of the first Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 Aurora to be upgraded under the Aurora Structural Life Extension Project (ASLEP).

The aircraft, 140112, is the first of ten RCAF Auroras that will receive structural upgrades through the ASLEP

The project, launched in 2008, involves major upgrades to the aircraft, including replacement of the wings and tailplane, which will increase the structural life and operational availability of the fleet into the 2020 timeframe.

“The government is committed to providing our military men and women with the equipment they need to do their job. “This impressive and improved aircraft will allow the Royal Canadian Air Force to continue fulfilling its vital role of maintaining Canadian security here at home, while also making a valuable contribution to international security on deployed operations around the world,” said Canada's Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, at the ceremony.

The CP-140 Aurora, Canada’s only strategic maritime surveillance aircraft, is routinely used to patrol Canada’s coastlines, safeguarding its waters from foreign threats. More recently, two CP-140s were deployed to Sigonella, Italy, to provide support to NATO's Operation Unified Protector over Libya.

The completion of ASLEP modifications on 140112 is the second major milestone achieved this autumn in the CP-140 Aurora’s midlife upgrade. On September 27, 2011, the first Block III-modified CP-140 Aurora, 140114, was delivered to 14 Wing at Greenwood. The Block III modifications are the final round of upgrades made to the Auroras’ mission computer system through the Aurora Incremental Modernization Project (AIMP). Initiated in 1998, the project has transformed the aircraft into a modern multi-mission platform that can provide overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, in addition to its traditional maritime patrol role.

The Department of National Defence will now proceed with a combined programme, covering both the ASLEP and AIMP, to efficiently deliver the remaining life-extended and modernized Aurora aircraft. This will ensure the RCAF has relevant surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering capabilities on the Aurora aircraft. The delivery of the final aircraft to be upgraded under the combined modifications of AIMP and ASLEP is expected in 2014.

The combined projects represent a CDN$1.5 billion (US$1.47 billion) investment ($1.2 billion for AIMP and $279 million for ASLEP) by the Government of Canada in the RCAF and its CP-140 Aurora fleet. The upgraded aircraft will be based at 14 Wing Greenwood, and 19 Wing Comox. Operational Test and Evaluation will be conducted over the next year to determine appropriate procedures and tactics to take full advantage of the aircraft’s new capabilities.


Source: By Dave Allport - 11 December 2011 - Military Aviation News (www.key.aero.com)

Photo: Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora 140112 is the first of ten of these aircraft to complete a structural life extension that will keep them flying into the next decade. The aircraft is seen here before upgrade, at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta, on May 24, 2007, whilst participating in Exercise Maple Flag 40. Canadian Forces  (Photo by WO Serge Peters)

(11.12.2011)