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CP-140 Aurora Modernization  –  DND/CF News Release  –  December 2007 Dep't of National Defence / Canadian Forces  News Release Continuing the Aurora Incremental  Modernization  Program [Update 06 Sept 2008: Among a slew of spending announcements, MND MacKay included a $20M project to "improve surveillance capabilities" [1] for the Aurora.] In Sept 2007, the Department of National Defence announced  the  cancellation of the  Aurora  Incremental  Modernization Project, the $1.6B project to upgrade the CF's aging fleet of  CP-140 patrol aircraft. Although AIMP is  two-thirds complete, the Minister of  National  Defence, Peter MacKay, stated a preference for phasing out and replacing the aging Aurora fleet. What prompted the sudden change of direction wasn’t the AIMP itself  but rather the discovery of  worse-than-expected  structural problems in this fleet of  30 year- old aircraft. This prompted a decision to cancel  the related  Aurora Structural  Life Extension Project.  Without ASLEP,  continuing with AIMP no longer made sense. However, on 18 Dec 2007, another change of plan was announced. It seems that  the 10 best CP-140 airframes are to be life-extended with AIMP Phase III equipment (sensors and communications gear) installed  by  IMP of  Halifax.  This compromise is meant to bridge the gap until Aurora replacement aircraft  enter  CF service  between 2015 and 2020. The first question that arises out of  the 18 Dec decision  is whether 10 serviceable Aurora are sufficient. When originally purchased, 14  CP-140s were to be based in NS, the remaining 4 in BC. [2]  Even with improved serviceability and more modern sensors, how can 10 aircraft cover the same patrol areas? Several years ago, it was suggested that the Auroras might be pulled from Comox to concentrate the fleet at Greenwood. Will the BC-based CP-140s be replaced by UAVs as then envisioned? The second question is  why,  in a DND news release,  was Mr. MacKay identified as both MND and "Minister of  the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency"? This decision may play well, politically, in Nova Scotia where all the work is to be done, but for the rest of  Canada, mention of ACOA simply  muddies the political waters. [1] The 06 Sept 2008 announcement says that the project involves minor improve- ments to CP-140 mission systems.  L-3 Communications  has been awarded  $10M as an amendment to a 10-year  Optimized Weapons System Support contract. The remaining $10M will  be spent on FMS contracts with the US Navy for equipment. [2] That mix changed with the delivery of  3 CP-140A Arcturus to CFB Greenwood. Six Aurora were then based at CFB Comox with 12 Aurora in Nova Scotia. Today, five CP-140s are based in BC, the other 14 (and two airworthy CP-140A) are in NS. The content of the 18 December 2007 DND/CF News Release is reproduced below. DND/Canadian Forces News Release The Future of the CP-140 Aurora NR-07.105 - December 18, 2007 OTTAWA  –  The  Department of  National  Defence today confirmed  its commit- ment to the [CP-140] Aurora fleet through continued modernization and structural upgrades,  keeping  the aircraft  flying until  2020.  As  part of  the  Government of Canada's  pledge  to ensure the  Canadian Forces  have the equipment  they  need and provide value for taxpayers' dollars, the Aurora modernization will ensure that the CF continues to protect Canada’s maritime and northern sovereignty. "The  Department will capitalize on these investments  by upgrading  the structure on the majority of  the fleet," said the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of  National Defence and  Minister of  the Atlantic Canada  Opportunities Agency. "The investment will keep the aircraft safe and operationally viable until 2020." "I am pleased  to let our  Aurora communities know that  this valuable information gathering  aircraft  will continue its proud legacy," said Lieutenant-General Angus Watt,  the Chief of  the  Air Staff.  "The Aurora  will  provide  the Air Force with a significant  surveillance capability until  such time as a future replacement capabil- ity is acquired." As part of its reexamination of long-term projects, the Department has rescinded a work suspension and moved forward with the next phase of Aurora modernization which will incorporate radar, computer and  other systems on Aurora aircraft. Core structural upgrades  will also be carried out  to ensure the longevity and safe oper- ation of these 10 aircraft. Three aircraft have been delivered under phase two of the fleet modernization pro- gram [AIMP, the Aurora Incremental Modernization Program] and three are under- going  these  communication and  navigation upgrades. The prototype aircraft  for the third phase is in [ie: out of service and in the shop] for a two-year modification and  testing period, and  is expected to fly in early 2009. The Air Force and  Navy are assessing and  defining  their needs for a [new] long- range  maritime surveillance aircraft to succeed the Aurora.  Technology upgrades already made [ to the existing Aurora]  fleet  may be transferred [to] and reinvested in the replacement aircraft [type].