Canada orders new radar for CP-140 surveillance aircraft

The Canadian Department of National Defense has contracted MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to provide radar surveillance systems.

The eight systems to be provided under the $57 million contract will be for integration aboard CP-140 Aurora fleet, which Canada is upgrading. MDA's said its surveillance system for theCP-140 provides high-resolution imaging capability to detect, locate, and classify, land and marine-based objects.

"Canada's DND and MDA have developed a successful working relationship based on quality, reliability and value,” said Don Osborne, an MDA vice president. “We are pleased to support DND with this repeat business and provide additional high-performance airborne radar surveillance systems.

"This contract underscores the global need for critical multi-mission intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that aid in the detection of illegal or hostile activity in maritime approaches or remote regions."

The CP-140 Aurora is Canada's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance Aircraft. The Lockheed Martin aircraft is based on the P-3 Orion airframe. Canada currently operates a fleet of 14 updated Auroras but announced last week it is investing in four more modernized CP-140s. Modernization will be conducted under existing competitively awarded industry contracts and will include new avionics and missions systems.