Upgrades to patrol aircraft delayed

A program to modernize the Canadian military’s fleet of surveillance aircraft has run into trouble, falling behind schedule and requiring another $52 million to complete.

The contractors working on the modernization of the CP-140 Aurora aircraft fleet warned the Department of National Defence they would be unable to meet all of its requirements within the current budget and schedule, according to a DND analysis on ongoing procurement programs produced in April.

Over the past 15 years, the Auroras have been put through a modernization process in various stages.

But national defence was told the last portion of the modernization was “behind schedule due to unforecasted design complexity and contractor delays in prototype aircraft modification,” according to the DND analysis provided to Postmedia. “Contractor advises that they will be unable to meet all DND requirements within current budget and/or schedule.”

DND was warned the program had fallen four years behind schedule, according to the document.

DND spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said $52 million will be provided to companies so the project can be completed. There will still be a delay in the project, but that has been reduced to about a year-and-a-half.

Full operational capability for the modernized Aurora fleet is now planned for March 2024.

The last portion of the Aurora modernization involved the installation of satellite communications systems, a self-defence system and a military tactical data exchange network used by NATO countries.

The Auroras are Canada’s primary surveillance aircraft, responsible for detecting illegal fishing, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and polluting along the Canadian coastlines. In addition, the planes have the role of providing aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to international missions such as in the Middle East.

Over the years, the 14 Auroras have had their outer wings replaced and new mission systems and sensors installed. The project, which costs almost $2 billion, will allow the planes to keep operating to 2030 and beyond.

Two prototype aircraft are in Greenwood, N.S., and are being used for concept development, training and ground and flight testing, Le Bouthillier said. The first production aircraft has been delivered to Greenwood, and three others are undergoing modifications at IMP Aerospace in Halifax.

Le Bouthillier said DND believes it made more financial sense to modernize the aircraft than to purchase new planes. “The modernized CP-140 is a world-class capability and will remain so for years to come,” he added.

The modifications will ensure the Auroras can continue to fly until the Forces can replace them, sometime in the 2030s.