Really hot aircraft news

The Air Force is beginning to plan for a replacement for the Auroras circa 2016. Thank goodness (though I think most people would be shocked to hear it described as a "spy plane"--maybe that's the headline writer's intent):

The Canadian military is laying the groundwork for a multi-billion-dollar purchase of a new surveillance plane to patrol the country's coastlines and replace the existing Aurora aircraft fleet, which is facing structural problems.

Among the options that could be considered is a U.S. military aircraft based on the Boeing 737 passenger jet, but outfitted with sensors, as well as a Bombardier Global Express jet equipped with surveillance gear.

The air force had intended to keep its CP-140 Auroras flying until 2025, but the service is now rethinking those plans and wants a new multi-mission aircraft ready in nine years when it retires its aging surveillance planes.

The Auroras were purchased in the early 1980s to conduct anti-submarine patrols and maritime surveillance. The 18 planes operate at bases on the East and West coasts and are considered vital for watching over the country's maritime approaches.

The air force's current strategy is to continue using the Aurora until a new aircraft is purchased. Military officials say the service is in the early stages of the process and needs to assemble a team to look at the basic requirements for a new plane.

"It's all very early in the conceptual stage right now," said air force spokesman Capt. Jim Hutcheson. "They haven't got to looking at options yet."

Military planners, however, have asked for information regarding the U.S. navy's Poseidon maritime aircraft. The plane, a 737 converted into a surveillance aircraft, is the U.S. navy's successor to its version of the Aurora.

Canadian officials have also asked for details on the ASTOR surveillance aircraft project under way for Britain's military. That aircraft uses the smaller Bombardier Global Express jet and is designed for providing surveillance of ground targets...

The initial search for a replacement plane comes as the military is conducting inspections on the 26-year-old Auroras to detect and repair possible structural damage, particularly in the wing area. The inspections were started as a precautionary measure because of warnings from the U.S. navy, which operates a similar fleet.

The Canadian Forces has already spent $900 million in upgrading navigation and radio equipment for its Auroras, but is reconsidering whether it should spend any more money to install new sensors and computers. It will decide on or before Nov. 20 on how to proceed on the upgrade program.

An earlier plan to spend $500 million for new structural components for the Auroras is also in question. That project would have dealt with the aircraft's wings, which several studies show have been "accumulating fatigue damage" at a rate faster than anticipated.

"The current thinking is that it would make more sense to proceed with an Aurora replacement in the 2016 timeframe and that's why we are thinking about not proceeding with the full range of upgrades, both mechanical and avionics and equipment," Capt. Hutcheson said.

No price tag has been set for a new aircraft, but defence industry officials say such a program is expected to cost several billion dollars.

More at Milnet.ca.

Of course the Bombardier would have to be massively and expensively reconfigured for the maritime patrol role [along with other problems, Dec. 10 update]. And I suppose the existing maritime patrol version of Bombardier's Q series turboprops doesn't have the range for the Air Force's needs . But it might be fine for the civilian missions the Auroras fly ( such as fisheries patrol in support of DFO). In fact I would argue that there should be a fleet of such aircraft dedicated to civilian missions (e.g. also ship pollution inspection, vessel identification) with the Air Force doing only what is truly military--UAVs could also do much of the civilian work. But no service wants to give up missions and the equipment and personnel slots that go with them (e.g. the Air Force doing the air role for search and rescue).

Update: More on the Bombardier Global Express airframe as a possible Aurora replacement (h/t to Jack MacLeod). And more on the fixed-wing SAR replacement.