ANALYSIS

Since 1980 the CP-140 AuroraGoddess of the Dawn (fromGreek mythology, and appro-priately, the scientific name for thenorthern lights) has been CanadasStrategic surveillance asset and wasregarded as the most sophisticatedadvanced maritime patrol aircraftworldwide when it entered servicein 1980 as it married the provenP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft(MPA) with the, at that time,advanced systems from thecarrier-borne S-3A Viking.

Unfortunately, since acquisi-tion, there have been nomajor Aurora upgradesundertaken and its capabili-ties are atrophying, eventhough most Auroras havehandsomely exceeded the12,000 hour benchmark estab-lished for the USN refurbish-ment program to ensure theirP-3Cs remain operationaluntil their designed fatigue life.

Like the P-3Cs, theAuroras are experiencingfatigue and corrosion prob-lems, especially wing and tailareas, treated by exception on a case-by-case basis, including some aircraftexperiencing skin delamination (result-ing in operating restrictions). The bur-geoning supportability problems (asnoted in Vanguard Issue 2, 2000), as wellas emergent regulatory aviation regula-tory standards, highlight the urgentrequirement to modernize the Aurora.

The US has upgraded its Vikings toS-3B standard and is implementing a

fleet-wide Warfare ImprovementProgram for as many as 200 of their 238P-3Cs to Update III improved capabilitystandard to maintain effectivenessagainst modern maritime targets andenhance suitability for overland littoraloperations. Allied nations such asNorway have recently undertaken anUpgrade Improvement Program for itsP-3C IIIs, while the Netherlands isimplementing a Capability UpgradeProgram for their P-3C IIs, to ensurethey remain among the most capableMPAs in the world. Other nations such

as France, Germany, Italy and UK havesimilar upgrades in the works to ensuretheir MPA (Atlantique and Nimrod)remain similarly capable.

AIMPThe Aurora Incremental ModernizationProject (AIMP), approved in August1998, evolved out of the Aurora LifeExtension Project that originallyintended to modernize the combined

Aurora/Arcturus fleet. Upon completionof a budgetary driven force structureanalysis in spring 2000, to determine asustainable and affordable Air Forcestructure, it was decided to reduce theAurora fleet to 16 modernized aircraftby 2010/2011. Air Force Public Affairshead, LCol Walter Chipchase notes thethree Arcturus will be (declared sur-plus) and retired upon Flight DeckSimulator (FDS) implementation (inapproximately April 2004) as they havemainly a training responsibility, atwhich time they will presumably be auc-

tioned, off as were theeight CC/CE-144s sold toa US airline in early 2000for US$30 million. LColBruce Lewis, the AIMPProject Manager, toldVanguard the plan is toupgrade 18 CP-140 air-craft throughout AIMP. 16aircraft will be productionstandard and two will beused for prototyping andtesting. A maximum offive CP-140 Aurora air-craft will be out of serviceduring AIMP.The $1 Billion umbrella

AIMP is being implemented between1999 and 2009 and will restore theAuroras operational capability until atleast 2020 while retaining interoperabil-ity with allied forces and rectifyingmany supportability issues. Besidesnormal depot-level maintenance efforts,which are expected to extend airframelife expectancy to 2015, Canada isparticipating in USNs Service LifeAssessment Program to examine struc-

20VANGUARD Issue 4, 2001

AIR FORCE UPGRADESAURORA

By Mark Romanow

US Customs P-3 AEWC Aircraft like the CP-140/140A, isone of numerous specialized variants of the P-3 airframe.

tural initiatives to extend P-3 airframelife beyond 2015. The avionics, commu-nications equipment and sensors thatrequire replacement were divided into21 sub-projects under the Incrementalfunding policy.

An even more severely delayed pro-gram than AIMP is the Australian SeaSentinel upgrade for their P-3C II.5s(which are also Harpoon capable) with6 aircraft now undergoing modification,since program commencement in 1997,with no deliveries as of early-2001 severelyimpacting operational readiness.

The AIMP Project Office (PO) devel-oped a Master Implementation Plan(MIP), combining the 21 AIMP sub-pro-jects and four pre-AIMP projects, intofour groups for concurrent implementa-tion, with major sub-projects in GroupsI to III completed by 2006. The MIP mini-mized the number of configurations ofprototype, test and production aircraftthereby reducing AIMP impact onCP-140 operations. Ideally, the newequipment should have been installedunder an omnibus program, while theAurora undergoes a concurrent struc-tural refurbishment program, as thiswould have minimized operationaldisruptions even further over a muchshorter time-period.

An omnibus approach would alsomaximise technical synergies as thecomplex AIMP should be designed andintegrated as a single system, instead ofpiecemeal, as the cost is probably neu-tral, but it does increase the projectcomplexity and therefore risk.Purchasing direct from vendors can becheaper than through a prime contrac-tor, but the integration and manage-ment costs incurred by DND equalizeany savings confirms LCol Lewis.

Group I: LegacyThe Legacy group (with prototypetested late 2000 and production fromJanuary to December 2001) establishesthe baseline configuration for follow-onprojects, for concurrent test in a com-mon airworthy certified prototype andproduction installations, and consoli-dates several pre-AIMP approved pro-jects addressing mainly flight-safety/supportability issues. Prior to AIMP,DRS Technologies received a $2 millioncontract in, December 1998, for theirEmergency Avionics Systems (EAS)-3000F modular crash-survivable/deploy-able beacon system. The EAS- 3000Fintegrates a digital Flight DataRecorder/Cockpit Voice Indicator with a

Crash Position Indicator meeting legisla-tive requirements.

The Scan Converter project is sup-plying a digital signal data converter-storer, with enhanced capabilitiessupporting track-while-scan and imag-ing modes for the AN/APS-506 radar.The AN/ARR-502(V)3 SonobuoyReceiver system will provide a 99-channel capability (replacing the lim-ited 31-channel capable AN/ARR-76)and compatibility with all Sonobuoysin service. The Flight Director Indicatoris being modified, integrating newfault-detection circuitry and correct-ing erratic frozen spheres, while theAN/ARC 512 HF Radio is undergoingmodernization by Rockwell Collins.Additionally, the Teletype Printer isbeing replaced to provide enhancedimage and text-printing capability.

Group II: Navigation/CommunicationThis group consists of enhanced pri-mary avionics systems, with prototyp-ing planned from January to May2003, and production planned fromJune 2003 till May 2004. On August 25,2000 CMC Electronics (formerly BAESystems Canada) received a $58 mil-lion contract, as prime contractor andsystems integrator, for the Navigationand Flight Instrument ModernizationProject (NFIMP), scheduled for com-pletion by December 2003. The NFIMPincludes a twin laser-ring gyro(required for radar antenna stabiliza-tion to attain minimum resolution forthe Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)planned for group III) GlobalPositioning/Inertial NavigationSystem, electronic flight instruments,digital Auto Pilot and improved RadarAltitude Warning System, rectifyingsafety and reliability issues. Capt GlenHuffman, NFIMP project officer, notedwe will have increased navigationalaccuracy on board the aircraft and wewill be able to meet new and emerginginternational requirements. To beimplemented with the NFIMP is acqui-sition of an Airborne CollisionAvoidance System to provideimproved air traffic awareness andoperational safety, while satisfyingemergent global airspace access regu-latory requirements.

22VANGUARD Issue 4, 2001

Operator screenshot of AMASCOS tactical display with FLIR visual displayed in insetwindow. Some 12 AMASCOS systems are in Indonesian military service with additionalsale announcements expected later this year.

Once part of NFIMP is a stand-alone requirement for a new FDS,incorporating Group II modificationswhile providing a modern visual system,and an upgraded Cockpit ProceeduresTrainer (CPT) with a formal Requestfor Proposals (RFP) expectedSeptember/October as approval isstill pending. Both CAE MilitarySimulation and Training, plus ThalesTraining and Simulation (TT&S) haveindicated they will be competing.

A SATellite COMmunications capa-bility is being acquired to supportAurora operations, while the UHF &VHF Radio project will provide suffi-cient digital radio capability to remaininteroperable in a multi-force environ-ment. The UHF portion will be fulfilledby AN/ARC-210s, acquired throughForeign Military Sales, with advancednarrowband capability; digital voiceterminal and Have Quick II, correctinginteroperability, jamming and fre-quency agility deficiencies. A thirdUHF radio will support simultaneous:Data Link; command activatedsonobuoy control; secure tacticalcommunications; air coordination anddigital data transfer. Meanwhile, theAN/ARC-511 will be modified to meetEuropean legislative requirements forreduced channel spacing (8.33 KHz),while a replacement VHF-FM radiowill comply with Transport Canadaregulations re: the internationalSafety Of Life At Sea convention byFebruary 1, 2003, and support digitalselective call.

Lastly, LCol Lewis expects the $60million Communications ManagementSystem (CMS) contract to be awardedSeptember 1, which will replace theInter-Communications System (ICS),integrate the communications equip-ment mentioned above and maximisenewly acquired capabilities. Bids arebeing evaluated from: CMC (teamedwith Telephonics for the ICS), DRS andTeam Thales (integrated project teamwith Thales Systems Canada (TSC) asprime contractor, teamed with ThalesCommunications France, both part ofThales communications businessgroup, and IMP Group Limited forinstallation; testing and support, plusPalomar Products digitally controlledICS qualified on P-3 aircraft).

Group III: Computerand Sensors

The projects in this group provide thebulk of the Auroras primary missionsensors and processing capability,with prototyping planned from May toDecember 2004, and productionplanned from January 2005 to May2006. On February 9, 2001 the $58.6million Modular VME Acoustic SignalProcessor (MVASP) and Fast TimeAcoustic Analysis System (FTAAS) con-tract was awarded to ComputingDevices Canada Ltd. (CDC a GeneralDynamics subsidiary) to maintaininteroperability with allied forcesundertaking similar upgrades. CDCwill supply 27 MVASP, upgraded tomonitor 32 acoustic Channels simulta-neously for detection and tracking ofsubmarines and maritime vessels replacing current 16 Channel capability with a growth potential to 64, whoseinstallation will be sequenced with thenew mission computer during 2004-2005, plus provide and undertake con-current integration of a new digitalacoustic tape recorder. The fourFTAAS, providing an acoustic data andanalysis capability, will update thestand-alone ground stations locatedwithin the two Data Interpretationand Analysis Centres and two sepa-rate Acoustic Data Analysis Centres one of each on either coast, and alongwith the MVASP will be deliveredfrom 2003-2004.

Recently, an RFP was released fora new Data Management System(DMS), including multi-function work-stations with high-resolution colour

displays; control-and- display periph-erals and upgrades to related shore-based facilities, with a potential contractvalue exceeding $100-140 million,dependent on options. As the AIMPshighest priority candidate for replace-ment, and the core of the Aurora, theDMS will provide sufficient computercapability to sustain operations.

A major hurdle is expected to beCMS-2Y software migration from theAYK-10, not nearly as capable as per-sonal computers today, with no 1553data-bus handling capability. LColLewis notes Were (optimistically)looking at the prototype in probably2004, and delivery starting in 2005.Previously, Lockheed Martin Canada(LMC) won a $14 million contract inDecember 1997 to replace the AYK-10with the AYK-23(V) mission com-puter, but this contract was cancelledin December 1999 when LMC closedits Winnipeg plant and schedule slip-page occurred.

The AIMP PO expects responsesto the RFP by October 2001, with con-tract award mid-2002. Companies thathave expressed an interest in biddingare: Boeing, CDC, LMC, Raytheon andThales. CDCs partners on the DMSbid include Litton Systems Canada,IMP and CMC with a DMS solutionwhich Bob Fischer, vice president ofCDC, notes is based on home growntechnologies, exempt from foreignexport controls (ie. ITARs). CDCsDMS solution extends back to themid-1980s, with over $8 millioninvested since 1993 under CDCs ASW-503 designation, and has maintained aclose dialogue with the Maritime Air

23VANGUARD Issue 4, 2001

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24VANGUARD Issue 4, 2001

community during development toreduce program risks and closelyreflect evolving user requirements.

LMC has signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with xwave (an Aliantcompany) to compete jointly for theDMS, while LMCs other key partner isparent LM Tactical Systems, specializ-ing in P-3 and S-3 aircraft mission sys-tem integration.

Dan Spoor, president and CEO ofLMC, noted LM mission systems flyin 98% of operational P-3s world-wide, including those presently in theCP-140. This depth of airborne sys-tems integration experiencewill bethe single most important factor inensuring (DMS) programme success.Raytheons commercial off-the-shelf(OTS) DMS could, like LMC, providecommonality synergies if they winboth the Aurora DMS and MHP mis-sion system contracts. Thales coreteam for the DMS is comprised of TSCand Thales Airborne Systems, theEuropean leader for airborne missionsystems offering AMASCOS (seeVANGUARD Issue 3, 2001).

LCol Lewis noted the Electro-Optics(EO) program has been approved,with RFP and procurement awaitingDMS contract award. A new stabilizedEO suite with growth potential,including an improved Forward-Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR); lowlight level television and laser illumi-nator, housed in a retractable ball tur-ret similar to the current FLIR, willmeet operational requirements forenhanced stand-off identificationcapability allowing the name of sus-pect ships beyond-visual-range to beread at night. Companies that haveexpressed an interest in supplyingthe EO system are Westcam; FlirIndustries and Raytheon.

DND approval is still pendingwithin the next 12 months for boththe Electronic Surveillance Measures(ESM) and Imaging Radar projects.The new ESM system will allow for thedetection and localization of contem-porary signal emitters, such as airdefence and missile guidance radarsproviding a self-protection and target-ing capability as the ALR-502 beingreplaced is only capable of detectingsubmarine radars, while also being

capable of ELectronic INTelligence(ELINT) in littoral areas. LCol Lewisexplained that going from a standardESM to more of an ELINT capability(involves significant cost) thats stillbeing wrestled within DND. The com-panies that have expressed interestare: Condor, Elisra and Elta.

Meanwhile, numerous companies,including Thales and MacDonaldDettwiler, have expressed interest inproviding an advanced Imaging Radarbased on SPOTlight SAR technologycapable of providing a stand-off sur-veillance and identification capability.LCol Lewis said it has not beendecided to buy a complete newradar, to buy a new radar and addextra components and upgrades, or totake components out of existingradars and put them together in apackage that best meets our needs.AIMPs Scan Converter and NIFMPwould seem to indicate preparatorywork for a made in Canada solutionas modifications have been developedfor the existing radar includingSPOTSar, ISAR, believed to be moreeffective than the P-3Cs APS-137 ISARmode able to identify surface ship tar-gets past 100nm, and Strip Map modes.

Group IV: UpgradesThis group will provide for technol-ogy insertions and upgrades for OTSsystems selected for the previousgroups, possibly including addition ofprecision air-to-surface weapons, main-taining supportability and meetingintegration requirements not fullyaddressed during separate acquisi-tions. It also covers Data LinkModernization to meet new standards,such as NATO improved link-11/22,while adding a capability to maintainnational/international data/imagerytransfer interoperability. The

Defensive Electronic Warfare Systemwill provide an urgently requiredcapability for missile warning andcountermeasures to enhance surviv-ability in hostile environments.Additionally, the Magnetic AnomalyDetector will be modernized to accom-modate shallow water operations.Independent of AIMP is a requirementto modify or replace the OperationalMission Simulator (OMS), incorporat-ing any mission systems upgradesand additions, for which both CAEand TT&S have indicated they will bebidding.

HurdlesThe projected reduction in YearlyFlying Rate (YFR) to 8,000 hours by2003 (reduced from 19,000 in 1999),and impending Arcturus retirementconcurrent with AIMP impact onoperations will necessitate heavydependence on: FDS, CPT and OMS toachieve flight crew and sensor opera-tor proficiency training. As noted onDNDs website the Arcturus aircraftwere procured to augment the CP-140Aurora fleet (and) will be assignedall the roles of the Aurora (includingsupport to Other GovernmentDepartments which averages 13% ofYFR and Arctic and maritime surveil-lance with a limited suite of surveil-lance equipment fitted to enable this),except that of ASW. The repercus-sions of the premature Arcturus with-drawal, plus planned reductions inYFR and aircraft fleets, will be thefocus of an upcoming article. b

Mark Romanow is adefence/geopoliticalanalyst basedin Edmonton. Hecan be reached atdefencegeopol@sprint.ca

An Aurora on an anti-submarine partrol. The CP-140 Aurora is equipped tocarry out a variety of rolesincluding anti-submarinewarfare, environmental andfisheries patrols. With itsfour GE T-56 turbopropengines, the Aurora will do405 knots and has a rangeof up to 5,000 miles. A singleflight can last up to 14 hours.