VIRIN: 220609-N-NO901-1101 A German Navy P-3C Orion from MFG 3 and the Swedish Navy Visby-class corvette HSwMS Nyk?ping (K34) participate in anti-submarine warfare training in the Baltic Sea on June 9, 2022 during Exercise BALTOPS 22. (Courtesy photo via U.S. Navy) A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/download/image/7267002
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Re: PHOTO: “Bloodhounds” Orion
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PHOTO: “Bloodhounds” Orion
VIRIN: 220511-N-AS200-5603 A P-3C Orion from the “Bloodhounds” of VX-30 taxis at Point Mugu, part of NB Ventura County, on May 11, 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Drew Verbis/Released) A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/download/image/7191166
(Posted image was cropped from the original.) Lockheed P-3C AIP+ Orion
BuNo 162999
BH-300
c/n 285G-5806
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Florida NOAA hurricane hunter team getting new plane
Florida NOAA hurricane hunter team getting new plane
The Associated Press
November 25, 2021
LAKELAND, Fla. — The Florida-based hurricane hunter team is getting a new aircraft to help chase fierce storms.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s team will add a Gulfstream 550 to the three other aircraft at its home base at the Lakeland Linder International Airport in central Florida, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
The fleet currently consists of two Lockheed WP-3D Orion four-engined turboprop aircraft and one Gulfstream IV-SP – affectionately named after Muppet characters Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo.
NOAA’s 2022 budget request includes $100 million for the acquisition of a new hurricane hunter aircraft. The contract was awarded to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.
The agency has been trying to get a new aircraft since 2019 and originally wanted it to be active by 2022.
It will take a couple more hurricane seasons before the new aircraft joins the team and gets a Muppet moniker.
“We are continuing to work with Gulfstream on integrating the desired instruments and weather modifications and now expect delivery in time for the 2024 hurricane season,” NOAA Aircraft Operations Center spokesperson Johnathan Shannon told the newspaper.
Shannon said the new aircraft will be outfitted with real-time Doppler radar, dropsondes capabilities, enhanced sensors, and space for wing pods to mount cloud sensors. It also will be tailored to carry up to 14 crew and mission systems operators, including flight directors, meteorologists, hurricane specialists, and engineers, he said.
As a hurricane hunter plane, the aircraft will be flying between 43,000 and 49,000 feet (13,106 and 14,935 meters) at Mach 0.8 for nine-hour missions as they explore hurricanes and tropical storms.
The fleet’s current Gulfstream, named Gonzo, was built in 1994 and joined the fleet in 1997 after modifications were made to support NOAA’s scientific missions, Shannon said.
“[Gonzo] is reaching the end of its useful service life. There are no immediate plans to retire the NOAA Gulfstream IV-SP,” Shannon said. “It will continue to fly missions as long as it remains operationally capable.”
The fleet needs the addition because of the number of storms they chase each season. The 2021 season was well above average with 20 named storms. but not nearly as taxing to the hurricane hunter team as the 2020 season, which had 30. The team logged 3,500 flight hours in 2020. Last year was the first time both P-3s were deployed at the same time for hurricane exploration, Shannon said.
Both P-3s were obtained from Lockheed Martin in the mid ’70s, according to NOAA.
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VIRIN: 211111-Z-VY191-0091
A JMSDF P-3C Orion flies over Camp Lemonnier during Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa’s Allied Appreciation Day event on November 11, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns/Released)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
(Posted image was cropped from the original.)
Kawasaki P-3C-II? Orion
s/n 5066
c/n 9063
.
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20210709raaf8657697_001
Two AP-3C (EW) Orions from No 10 Squadron sit on the flightline at RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide in South Australia on 9 July 2021. No 10 Squadron maintains a culture of excellence with a number of significant achievements acknowledged in Air Force’s Centenary year. Awarded the Duke of Gloucester Cup in 2021 by the Chief of Air Force for the Most Proficient Flying Unit of 2020, the squadron’s success was attributed to consistently high levels of teamwork at every level. The unit sustained an intensive operational flying program over the period, delivering significant capability outcomes and achieving mission success. The RAAF fleet of two AP-3C (EW) Orions deliver an important airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Electronic Warfare capability and are a driver of how ISR EW operations will integrate into the future force. (RAAF photo)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Lockheed AP-3C (EW) Orion
s/n A9-657
FMS BuNo 162657
c/n 285D-5780
Lockheed AP-3C (EW) Orion
s/n A9-660
FMS BuNo 162660
c/n 285D-5785
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VIRIN: 210301-N-UJ449-1062
A German Navy P-3C Orion lands at NAS Sigonella on March 1, 2021 following a flight in support of Dynamic Manta 2021, an annual ASW and ASuW exercise hosted by NATO’s Allied Maritime Command. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josh Coté/Released)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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Members of RCAF’s 407 Squadron take prize at Exercise Sea Dragon in Guam
Members of RCAF’s 407 Squadron take prize at Exercise Sea Dragon in Guam
January 29, 2021
Royal Canadian Air Force Public Affairs
A CP-140 Aurora and crew from 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron and support personnel from 19 Wing Comox took part in Exercise Sea Dragon at Andersen Air Base, Guam from January 12 to 28, 2021. Hosted by the United States Navy’s Seventh Fleet, Exercise Sea Dragon 21 is a premier multinational anti-submarine exercise in the Pacific region. This year marked the first participation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in the exercise.
The RCAF’s participation enabled substantial training opportunities for the long-range patrol community working with allies and partners in the Pacific, including Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
This training is critical to ensuring the RCAF’s Aurora crews remain ready and able to conduct patrol missions at home and operate effectively with other nations, including those in the Indo-Pacific theatre.
The detachment’s exercise was very successful, culminating in their receiving the award given to the top-performing crew on exercise with the most efficient tactics.
“Training alongside our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region is critical to maintaining an effective and interoperable RCAF Long Range Patrol capability to meet our Defence Policy mandate,” said Major General Eric Kenny, Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division. “I am very proud of our deployed members who demonstrated the professionalism, agility, and mission-ready focus to take top prize during the exercise. I would like to thank the United States Navy for hosting this valuable and well-executed training opportunity.”
While Covid-19 precluded many exercises in 2020, the RCAF is safely and successfully engaging in training events at home and around the world through implementation of a number of safety measures, including pre- and post-exercise quarantines, separate accommodations, minimal physical contact with other exercise participants and locals, strict adherence to personal protective equipment use, and public health measures like two-metre physical distancing throughout the exercise, both on and off duty.
The CP-140 Aurora is a long-range patrol aircraft used for multiple types of missions over land and water.
The Aurora supports a wide variety of roles including operations management; maritime and overland intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare; strike coordination; and search and rescue. It can also assist other government agencies to combat, illegal fishing, pollution, drug trafficking, and more.
======================
An RCAF CP-140 Aurora from 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron returns to Andersen AFB after a training flight during Exercise Sea Dragon. (Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Glenn Slaughter, United States Navy)
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Lockheed CP-140M Aurora
s/n 140117
c/n 285B-5723
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NASA ID: KSC-2009-2350
An NP-3D Orion from the “Bloodhounds” of VX-30 taxis to the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral AFS on March 28, 2009. The plane will fly below space shuttle Discovery as it approaches Kennedy Space Center for landing following the STS-119 mission. Onboard instruments will check the orbiter’s exterior temperatures and a long-range infrared camera will remotely monitor heating to the shuttle’s lower surface, part of the boundary layer transition flight experiment. For the experiment, a heat shield tile with a “speed bump” on it was installed under Discovery’s left wing to intentionally disturb the airflow in a controlled manner and make the airflow turbulent. The tile, a BRI-18, was originally developed as a potential heat shield upgrade on the orbiters and is being considered for use on the Constellation Program’s Orion crew exploration vehicles. The data will determine if a protuberance on a BRI-18 tile is safe to fly and will be used to verify and improve design efforts for future spacecraft. (NASA photo by Jim Grossman)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
====================
NASA ID: KSC-2009-2351
An NP-3D Orion from the “Bloodhounds” of VX-30 takes off from the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral AFS on March 28, 2009. (NASA photo by Jim Grossman)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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Lockheed NP-3D-130-LO Orion
BuNo 158227
300
c/n 285A-5551
Specially-built RP-3D using nonmagnetic materials aft of the main cabin door for Project Magnet; named “Roadrunner”; named “Paisano Tres” with VXN-8 in May 1993; to AMARC as 2P0194, 29 December 1993; returned to service with Naval Research Laboratory Flight Support Detachment at NAS Patuxent River as NP-3D; returned to AMARC as 2P0194, 29 December 2003; returned to service with VX-30 at Pt Mugu, 14 September 2005. (sources: Joe Baugher, Wikipedia, NASA)
=========================
Also see:
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20201104ran8615597_0066-2
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion from No 5 Squadron overflies HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) on 4 November 2020 while deployed in North East Asia enforcing UNSC sanctions. (RAN photo by LSIS Jarrod Mulvihill)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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PHOTOS: AP-3C Orion gate guard
In recognition of the AP-3C Orion’s distinguished service history in the Royal Australian Air Force, a decommissioned and refurbished example, A9-658, was installed as the RAAF Base Edinburgh gate guard over the weekend of 31 October–1 November 2020.
With the project commencing in April 2019, the planning and execution of the refurbishment, relocation, and installation of the decommissioned P-3 has been a collaborative effort managed by Surveillance and Response Systems Program Office in consultation with the Air Force History and Heritage Branch and with support from various Defence agencies and community organisations.
After arriving at its permanent home as the RAAF Base Edinburgh gate guard, final refurbishment and restoration will take place in preparation for the official unveiling, which is planned to be held during Air Force’s milestone Centenary in 2021.
The installation formally acknowledges the AP-3C Orion’s significant operational contributions through its maritime role and, importantly, is a symbol of the enduring connection the aircraft has with the Adelaide community for more than half a century as the icon of South Australia’s skies.
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20201031raaf8485160_018
Wing walkers and safety personnel accompany an AP-3C Orion as it is towed from the flightline at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia on 31 October 2020. (RAAF photo by CPL Brenton Kwaterski)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
(Posted image was cropped from the original.)
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20201031raaf8485160_242
A decommissioned AP-3C Orion is towed by an Armoured Recovery Vehicle Light during its relocation to RAAF Base Edinburgh’s front gate on 31 October 2020. (RAAF photo by CPL Brenton Kwaterski)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
(Posted image was cropped from the original.)
=====================
20201101raaf8161446_050
A decommissioned AP-3C Orion rests in its final position at RAAF Base Edinburgh on 1 November 2020. (RAAF photo by SGT Pete Gammie)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
(Posted image was cropped from the original.)
=====================
Lockheed AP-3C Orion
s/n A9-658
FMS BuNo 162658
c/n 285D-5782
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Pakistan to replace Orion patrol aircraft with Brazilian jetliner
Pakistan to replace Orion patrol aircraft with Brazilian jetliner
By: Usman Ansari
Defense News
October 26, 2020
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Navy has selected the Embraer Lineage 1000 jetliner to replace its P-3C Orion long-range maritime patrol aircraft, a source with knowledge of the program has confirmed to Defense News.
Outgoing naval chief Adm. Adm. Zafar Mahmood Abbasi announced on October 6 that the Navy would replace its P-3C Orion fleet with ten converted commercial jets, the first of which has been ordered. However, he did not identify the type.
The Ministry of Defence Production, which handles acquisition, did not return requests for comment regarding the conversion and possible partners.
With only a single aircraft ordered thus far, the program is in its early stages. When converted for Pakistani service, the aircraft will be called Sea Sultan.
It is unclear if the aircraft is being acquired directly from the manufacturer or another party. Embraer did not respond to requests for comment.
The question of what issues may arise in converting the aircraft was put to Douglas Barrie, an aerospace analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
“Using a commercial turbofan engine-powered aircraft as the basis for an ASW platform is not unheard of. After all, the U.S. P-8 is a Boeing 737-800 derivative,” he said.
But there are challenges in converting the aircraft, he added, “not least of all if internal weapons carriage is required where a bomb bay will need to be cut into the airframe.”
“[It is a] significant undertaking and risk management is going to be important,” he said, adding that it’s likely Embraer will be asked to help with the conversion, “otherwise the challenges just get all the greater.”
Frederico Lemos, Embraer’s defense representative who handles business in Asia, did not respond to Defense News’ questions about whether the company is or would be involved in the conversion process.
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VIRIN: 200924-N-FA490-4017
An EP-3E ARIES II from the “World Watchers” of VQ-1 flies over the East China Sea on September 24, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf/Released)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Lockheed EP-3E ARIES II (converted from P-3C-110-LO Orion)
BuNo 156511
c/n 285A-5505
conv. no. PR-32
This is the one that collided with a PLAAF Shenyang F-8-II “Finback” (s/n 81192) on April 1, 2001 and made as emergency landing at Lingshui AB, Hainan Island, China. The 24 crewmembers were held until April 11. The dismantled aircraft was returned inside an An-124 in August 2001 and rebuilt by Lockheed Martin using parts of an NP-3D (BuNo 150525) and the wings of a P-3B (BuNo 153453). Its first flight after rebuild was on November 15, 2002.
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PHOTO: Aurora in the Arctic
20200821NKAD0266D010
A CP-140M Aurora flies over HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701) during Operation Nanook 2020 on August 21, 2020. (Canadian Armed Forces photo by Corporal David Feldman)
A much larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Lockheed CP-140M Aurora
s/n 140103
c/n 285B-5693
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An RCAF CP-140M Aurora from 14 Wing Greenwood flies over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nova Scotia on August 5, 2020.?(Photo: MCpl Manuela Berger)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Lockheed CP-140M Aurora
s/n 140110
c/n 285B-5712
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Fair winds and following seas to the Navy’s P-3C
Fair winds and following seas to the Navy’s P-3C
Geoff Ziezulewicz
Navy Times
June 4, 2020
The U.S. Navy’s P-3C Orion patrol aircraft fleet retired from active duty last month after nearly 60 years in service.
With the replacement P-8 Poseidon now taking on the mission for the Navy’s patrol squadrons, the Orion fleet are free to collect their shadow boxes and muse among themselves about how today’s land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft have it easier than they did back in the day.
This long-planned transition away from the P-3C was completed in mid-May, when VP-40 at NAS Whidbey Island turned in its last Orion, according to a Navy release.
The last of the active-duty P-3Cs, aircraft 162776, was delivered to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.
While technically a sub hunter, the workhorse flew missions during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, the campaign against the ISIS in Iraq and Syria, as well as countless other intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations over the decades.
In March 2019, the “Fighting Marlins” of VP-40 flew their P-3s from Whidbey to Bahrain for the aircraft’s last active-duty deployment.
Squadrons began transitioning to the Poseidon in 2013.
Despite VP-40 closing the door on the Orion’s active-duty service, two Navy Reserve squadrons – NAS Jacksonville’s VP-62 and Whidbey Island’s VP-69 --will continue flying the plane.
The last P-3C Orion is expected to be phased out in 2023.
VX-30 at Point Mugu will also continue to fly the Orion.
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20160421adf8160650_056
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion from No 5 Squadron prepares for a sortie in support of Exercise Bersama Shield 2016 at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, Malaysia on 21 April 2016. (RAAF photo by CPL Steve Duncan)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
Lockheed P-3K2 Orion
s/n NZ4202
FMS BuNo 152887
c/n 185-5192
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VP-40 Completes Fleet’s Final Active-Duty P-8A Transition
VP-40 Completes Fleet’s Final Active-Duty P-8A Transition
05.15.2020
Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jakoeb VanDahlen
VP-40
OAK HARBOR, WA, UNITED STATES — The “Fighting Marlins” of VP-40 successfully completed transition from the P-3C Orion to the P-8A Poseidon, the Navy’s newest maritime patrol aircraft, on May 14, 2020.
VP-40 began the P-8A platform transition in November 2019 following its return to NAS Whidbey Island after completing the Navy’s final active duty P-3C deployment. On this landmark deployment, the “Fighting Marlins” made significant contributions to international maritime security while conducting sustained operations from three continents, marking the conclusion of VP-40’s forward-deployed P-3C operations that began in 1968.
The squadron completed the last of its nine P-3C aircraft transfers with the delivery of aircraft 162776 to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida and then commenced P-8A transition training under the instruction of VP-30, the Navy’s Patrol and Reconnaissance FRS at NAS Jacksonville. VP-30 has been conducting squadron transitions to the P-8A since 2012 utilizing a team of military and civilian maintenance and aircrew professionals.
The first phase of the transition consisted of classroom, simulator, and aircraft ground training over the course of two months and took place at NAS Whidbey Island.
“Though our aircraft has changed, our vision has stayed the same,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Sarah Moore, “as every sailor learns different aspects of the job and they support our ‘Marlin’ family. Achieving our shared goals through teamwork has directly resulted in a successful transition from P-3C to P-8A.”
The second phase of the transition introduced in-flight training in addition to continued simulator, classroom, and ground training and was executed as a three-month detachment to NAS Jacksonville that concluded with a fleet-model performance in the Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection. During this phase, the “Fighting Marlins” also received tactical instruction and training support from other Jacksonville-based commands, including the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School and the “Tridents” of VP-26.
“The P-8 operates very differently from the P-3, but the fundamentals of being a pilot remain the same,” said Lt. Alan Thornhill, a pilot with VP-40. “The aircraft has a lot more technology [than the P-3C] and can provide its pilots an immense amount of information. Knowing what information is important and relevant at any given moment still takes practice and training. Automation makes the plane fly more safely, but is limited by the understanding and ability of the person managing the automation to make safe and timely decisions. We still focus heavily on the mantra of ‘aviate, navigate, communicate’ to keep ourselves caged on the important details of whatever phase of flight we are in.”
The third and final phase consisted of advanced training, evaluation, and inspections led by the VP-30.1 transition team in Whidbey Island. Support was also provided by other Whidbey Island-based commands, including Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 and the “Grey Knights” of VP-46. For the aircrew, this final phase culminated in nine aircrews successfully conducting exercise torpedo attacks on a subsurface training target and in all aircrew achieving positional qualifications in the aircraft. For the maintenance professionals of VP-40, this culminated in the successful completion of the Maintenance Program Assist inspection and subsequent Safe for Flight certification, signifying the completion of the transition and VP-40’s ability to independently operate as a P-8A squadron.
“The VP-40 ‘Fighting Marlins’ sustained their energy, motivation, and focus through seven months of rigorous training,” said Cmdr. Joseph Parsons, VP-40’s Executive Officer. “Our Sailors were consistently recognized by the VP-30 team for their positive attitude, extensive preparation, and exceptional performance.”
The squadron qualified 56 Collateral Duty Inspectors, more than twice the minimum amount of this advanced maintenance qualification required for squadron certification. Eight Sailors received designations as Safe for Flight aircraft certifiers, nine as Quality Assurance Representatives, 12 as Patrol Plane Commanders, and nine as Tactical Coordinators.
“These advanced qualifications typically require 12 to 18 months to achieve in a normal training environment, but were completed in only seven months thanks to the dedication and hard work of each VP-40 Sailor,” said Parsons.
With transition complete, VP-40 is now preparing to execute forward-deployed operations across the globe and across all Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance mission areas including anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and search and rescue.
“The hard work of our Sailors and the Sailors of VP-30 allowed us to complete this transition process so seamlessly,” said Cmdr. Matt McKerring, VP-40’s Commanding Officer. “Once again, VP-40 has accomplished our mission successfully and on schedule regardless of any obstacles or challenges. After more than 50 years with the P-3C Orion, the ‘Fighting Marlins’ are ready to tackle another 50 years with the P-8A Poseidon.”
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PHOTOS: New, old, older, oldest
20161128raaf8185068_0366
The Royal Australian Air Force’s first P-8A Poseidon flies in formation with an AP-3C Orion near RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia on 28 November 2016. (RAAF photo by CPL Craig Barrett)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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20161128raaf8185068_0273
The RAAF’s first P-8A Poseidon flies in formation with an AP-3C Orion near RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia on 28 November 2016. (RAAF photo by CPL Craig Barrett)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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20161128raaf8185068_0151
The RAAF’s first P-8A Poseidon flies in formation with an AP-3C Orion and past No 11 Squadron aircraft, a Lockheed Neptune, on 28 November 2016. (RAAF photo by CPL Craig Barrett)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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20161128raaf8185068_0093
The RAAF’s first P-8A Poseidon flies in formation with an AP-3C Orion and past No 11 Squadron aircraft, a Neptune and Catalina, on 28 November 2016. (RAAF photo by CPL Craig Barrett)
A larger, high-res version can be viewed or downloaded here:
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Boeing P-8A Poseidon
s/n A47-001
c/n 62288
l/n 5823
Lockheed AP-3C Orion
s/n A9-662
ex-BuNo 162662
c/n 285D-5789
Lockheed P2V-7 (SP-2H) Neptune
VH-IOY (owned by Historical Aviation Restoration Society)
s/n A89-273
c/n 7273
(sold to MHD Rockland Services USA)
Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina
VH-PBZ (owned by Historical Aviation Restoration Society)
ex-USN BuNo 46679
CAC no. 0101, seq no. t530, hull no. 2043
wears “s/n A24-362” and “OX-V” (which was Boeing-Canada PB2B-2 Catalina VI; ex-USN BuNo 44288, ex-RAF s/n JZ835; c/n 61194)
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Canada’s CP-140 Aurora MPA Upgraded to Block IV Takes First Flight
Canada’s CP-140 Aurora MPA Upgraded to Block IV Takes First Flight
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s first Block IV-modified CP-140 Aurora conducted its first flight to conduct test assessments. The test flight took place between Halifax and Greenwood.
Xavier Vavasseur
Naval News
22 Feb 2020
The Government of Canada is modernizing its fleet of 14 CP-140 Aurora aircraft. The Aurora Incremental Modernization Project involves 23 individual projects to acquire, integrate, and install new mission systems and sensors onto the CP-140 for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. This project is being executed in a phased approach with four Blocks: I, II, and III are complete and Block IV is now in the implementation phase.
? Block I: Replace the high-frequency radio and a number of obsolete systems in order to provide a baseline for the major upgrades that followed.
? Block II: Replace the outdated navigation and communication management systems and associated radios.
? Block III: Replace the mission computer and sensors (radar, electro-optics/infrared sensor package, ESM, and acoustic detection systems).
? Block IV: Upgrade three key features of the fourteen Block III configured aircraft: beyond-line-of-sight satellite communication, link 16 datalink (a military tactical data exchange network used by NATO countries), and self-defence system.
? Initial operational capability: June 2020
? Full operational capability: September 2022
The Government of Canada is also extending the life of the Aurora fleet. The Aurora Structural Life Extension Project involves replacing wings and horizontal stabilizers on the aircraft. It will extend the operational life of the CP-140 Aurora fleet to 2030. This full operational capability for ASLEP is set to be reached this month (February 2020).
About Canada’s CP-140 Aurora
The CP-140 Aurora is based on the Lockheed P-3C Orion, but is fitted with a different and more comprehensive sensor suite. When AIMP is fully implemented, the aircraft will be designated CP-140M.
The Aurora fleet is Canada’s primary airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. The Aurora provides a full range of maritime, littoral, and overland surveillance capabilities for domestic and deployed missions in support of Canadian sovereignty and international objectives, as well as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. It has been modernized with a world-class integrated mission suite with state-of-the-art avionics, communications systems, computer networks, and sensors.
Aurora specifications
? Length: 35.61 metres
? Wingspan: 30.37 metres
? Height: 10.30 metres
? Power: four Allison T56-A-14-LFE turboprop engines
? Maximum Speed: 750 km/h
? Cruising Speed: 556 km/h
? Range: 7,400 km
? Equipment:
? Navigation systems:
??? Control display unit, used to display all information critical to flight, including speed, altitude, heading
??? AN/ARN-508 VOR/ILS/marker beacon, used for en route navigation and landing
??? Embedded GPS/INS, used to provide aircraft position, heading, and velocity
? Communications systems:
??? AN/ARC-511 and AN/ARC-513 VHF radios, used for line-of-sight air traffic management and marine communications
??? AN/ARC-210 and AN/ARC-234 VHF and UHF radios, used for line of sight data communications and two-way radio communication
??? ARC-512 HF radios and Link-11 tactical data link, used to transmit, relay, and receive long-range tactical data and communication
? Data management system that integrates information and displays it from the following sensors:
??? AN/APS-508 multi-mode Imaging radar system, an exceptionally capable detection, tracking, and imaging radar system for weather avoidance, maritime and ground-mapping roles
??? MX-20 electro-optics/infrared sensor package that allows day and night visual surveillance at extended ranges
??? AN/UYS-504 modular VME acoustic sensor processor for analysis of information received from sonobuoys
??? AN/ASQ-508 magnetic anomaly detector, used primarily for the detection of submarines
??? AN/ALQ-507 electronic support measures system, used to identify and locate sources of radio-frequency emission
? Armament and search stores:
??? Mark 46 Mod 5 torpedoes
??? Sonobuoys
??? Signal charges
??? Smoke markers
??? Illumination flares
? Crew:
?? Standard crew complement of 10 members varying according to mission including:
????? 2 pilots
????? 1 flight engineer
????? 2 air combat sensor officers
????? 5 airborne electronic sensor operators
------------------------------
(DND photo)
I don't know if this is the first Block IV referred to above or just a file photo, but either way the s/n is 140108.
Jeff
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bigredlancer
_10Sqn_92Wg_Edinburgh.jpg)
