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Replacing the Aurora

Background Intro

A  Modest Proposal

In Detail Intro

DND 101 Index

Background  –  Aurora Alternatives  –  Boeing P-8A Poseidon Project

Update – 29 Apr 2009:  The unpainted prototype P-8A Poseidon, originally scheduled to fly in March 2009, made its first flight on 25 April. DCC (Defence Construction Canada) is already seeking P-8A Poseidon CAD drawings/measurements for new hangars at CFB Greenwood.

Multi-mission  Maritime  Aircraft  –  an Airliner with Attitude Boeing's P-8A Poseidon was winner of the Multi-mission Mari- time Aircraft (MMA) program  to replace US Navy P-3C Orions (equivalent to CF  CP-140 Auroras). US Navy announced in late 2004 that Canada was likely to be a P-8A development partner – this was based on Canadian expressions of interest but it is not clear whether that was on behalf of industry or the CF.  The P-8 is a large aircraft  –  Poseidon weighs 35% more than a P-3/CP-140 and is 10% larger physically. Boeing became MMA prime contractor in 2004 with contracts for 108 P-8As valued at US $20B.

By 2012, MMA systems development/demonstration will be complete. This test phase involves 7 airframes beginning with  the current demonstrator, a B737-800 ERX (left). The actual P-8As will combine features of the -800ERX and -900 and,  like those airliners, will be powered by the CFM56-7B. At present, no prototype P-8A exists but  this patrol aircraft is based on a well- established family of airliners in use across Canada – three variants of  the "Next Generation" B737s fly with Westjet, for example). The CFM56 engines are in even wider use in Canada. [1]

The downside for the P-8A is cost, both purchase and operational. The unit price projected under a Foreign Military Sales procurement is US $150M. [2]  P-8A fuel burn is said to be the same as the Orion. An impressive claim, a P-8A being much larger but fuel costs are working against the CP-140 Aurora fleet. The question is what options exist other than the P-8A?

Boeing P-8A Poseidon  (MMA Project )   —   Specifications   Dimensions:   span: 35.72m, length: 39.47 m, height: 12.8m   Powerplant:   2 x 120 kN CFM Int'l  CFM56-7B turbofans   Performance:   max speed: 907 km/h,  max cruise: 815 km/h   Weights:   empty: 62730 kg,  MTOW: 85370 kg   Maximum range:   2220 km radius (with four hours on station)   Crew:   2 x flightcrew, 7 x mission systems operators   Armament:   Torpedoes, cruise missiles, bombs, mines

[1] CFM International  CFM56-7 engines are specific to B737s but the similar CFM56-5 series equip Air Canada A319s, A320s, and  A340s. [2] Based on Australian estimates related to their AIR 7000 Phase 2 requirement – an Aus $4B project (approx. Cdn $3.45B) to replace their AP-3C Orion fleet with a combo of MALE/HALE UAVs (similar to JUSTAS) and manned Maritime Patrol and Response Aircraft (MPRA).