Boeing, L-3 complete modernization of CF-188 aircraft

OTTAWA, March 12 (UPI) -- The Canadian Air Force has received the last of 76 CF-188 jet fighters modified under a contract with Boeing International.

The modifications, part of a project to upgrade the aircraft's electronics warfare suite, included modification of equipment for protection from air-to-air and ground-to-air threats, the Royal Canadian Air Force said.

Canada gave the modification contract to Boeing International, which then sub-contracted the work to L-3 Military Aviation Services. A dedicated modification line performed the work at the air force's 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta, beginning in March of 2011.

Modifications on each aircraft -- also called the CF-18 -- took 14 work days, the air force said.

"The close-knit fighter community came together to complete the modification line ahead of schedule," it said.

The Royal Canadian Air Force did not disclose the cost of the modernization of the CF-188 fleet's electronic warfare suite. It also gave no additional details of the modifications performed.