Anticipated SRAAM contest will not take place, but competition is on the way for GPS-guided munitions
Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) has decided not to acquire a new short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) as part of a C$2.1 billion ($1.7 billion) upgrade to its Boeing CF-18 Hornets, but is to start the procurement cycle for advanced air-to-surface weapons.
“With respect to the short-range air-to-air missile, the department has decided not to pursue this initiative as we are realigning our priorities,” says Lt Col Mario Lagrange, project manager for the CF-18 incremental modernisation project (IMP). Canada’s new defence policy has shifted the emphasis towards air-to-ground weapons, says the DND.
The air force will seek DND and Treasury Board approval to acquire advanced precision-guided munitions in the fourth quarter of this year. “We are primarily interested in weapons with a GPS guidance capability,” says Lagrange.
The department is also about a month from releasing a request for proposals for an advanced multi-role infrared sensor to replace the Lockheed Martin NITE Hawk targeting pods now in service. It is also starting the procurement process for a new defensive electronic-warfare suite for the CF-18.
Canada plans to keep its upgraded Hornets in service until 2017-20 as an affordable alternative to acquiring a new fighter. Phase 1 of the modernisation is due for completion in 2006, with the 52nd of 80 aircraft having returned to service last month. The first phase of the IMP, valued at C$880 million, includes installation of Raytheon’s AN/APG-73 radar, a new identification friend-or-foe transponder, radio and mission computer.
Phase 2, which includes a C$117 million contract with Boeing for new colour cockpit displays and installation kits to be fitted by subcontractor L-3 Communications, will begin in October 2006. This phase will also include the procurement of a Link 16 datalink, chaff and flare dispensers and a helmet-mounted sight.
Testing of the CF-18’s new air-combat manoeuvring instrumentation system, which digitally records missions for use in debriefings, will be completed in the third quarter of this year, while testing of its night-vision imaging system is continuing at Cold Lake, Alberta.
Production of the latter system is scheduled to begin in December 2005, says Lagrange.
Canada has already opted to buy Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles under a foreign military sales deal worth $65 million.
ANDRZEJ JEZIORSKI/VANCOUVER
Source: Flight International
