Discover

The 'Lockheed CP-140 Aurora' is a Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). The aircraft is based on the Lockheed P-3 Orion airframe, but mounts the more advanced electronics suite of the S-3 Viking. Aurora is the Greek goddess who restored Orion's eyesight.
The 'CP-140A Arcturus' is a related variant used primarily for pilot training and coastal surface patrol missions.

Contents

Design and development

Operational history

CP-140 Aurora

CP-140A Arcturus

Operators

Specifications (CP-140)

References

External links

Related Content

Design and development

The CP-140 Aurora is virtually identical externally to the Lockheed P-3C Orion predecessor, but internally is quite different, using computer systems that were first installed in yet another Lockheed anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the carrier-based S-3A Viking. The aircraft's sensors are primarily intended for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) work but are also capable of maritime surveillance, counter-drug and search-and-rescue missions. Current Operations have the CP-140 as Canada's only strategic Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, conducting Long range missions; Over-Land, Over-Water and the Littoral areas. These missions are flown in support of CANCOM, CEFCOM, CANSOFCOM, the RCMP, as well as many other government departments.

Operational history

CP-140 Aurora

The aircraft were acquired in the early 1980s to replace the CP-107 Argus and to further support Canada's anti-submarine warfare mission obligations under NATO for the northwest Atlantic sector. However, since the end of the Cold War, they had been used primarily in coastal surveillance and sovereignty patrols by providing an all-weather mission surveillance platform. Increasingly as the CP-140 moves into the 21st century it is employed for Domestic and International surveillance by CANCOM http://www.canadacom.forces.gc.ca/en/index_e.asp for security, counter-terrorism and smuggling, as well as to monitor foreign fishing fleets off Canada's coasts. CP-140s have also been deployed on operations such as ''Operation Assistance'' and ''Operation Apollo''.

CP-140A Arcturus

In 1991, Lockheed shut down its production lines in Burbank, California for the P-3 Orion, which shares the same airframe with the CP-140. Three surplus airframes were on hand and were purchased by Air Command but delivered without the anti-submarine fit. These three aircraft were designated the 'CP-140A Arcturus' and are used primarily for pilot training and coastal surface patrol missions.
Lacking the expensive, heavy and sensitive anti-submarine warfare as well as the anti-surface warfare fittings of the CP-140 Aurora, the Arcturus is much more fuel efficient and is used for crew training duties (such as ''touch-and-go'' landing practice), general maritime surface reconnaissance (detecting drug operations, smuggling of illegal immigrants, fisheries protection patrols, pollution monitoring, etc), search-and-rescue assistance and Arctic sovereignty patrols. The Arcturus does possess a superior surface search radar, incorporating modern functions such as track-while-scan that the Aurora's radar lacks.
All three aircraft are based at 14 Wing, one of which is currently being used for training with the school on base CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia. The CP-140As were scheduled to be deactivated in 2004, but are still very much in active duty.

Operators

;

★ Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM)

★
★ 404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron, CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia

★
★ 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron, CFB Greenwood

★
★
★ 10 × CP-140 ''Aurora'' and 3 × CP-140A ''Arcturus''

★
★ 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron, CFB Comox, British Columbia

★
★
★ 5 × CP-140 ''Aurora''

Specifications (CP-140)

References

1. CP-140 Aurora


★ Winchester, Jim, ed. "Lockheed CP-140 Aurora." ''Modern Military Aircraft (Aviation Factfile)''. Rochester, Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-640-5.

External links

★ Canada's Air Force: CP-140 Aurora

★ Canada's Air Force: CP-140A Arcturus

Related Content

http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/14wing/squadron/405_e.asp