Editing Lockheed CP-140 Aurora (section)

==Operational history==

===CP-140 Aurora===
[[File:Kaneohe ROK and Canadian P-3s.jpg|thumb|CP-140s and [[Republic of Korea Air Force|South Korean]] P-3s at [[Marine Corps Base Hawaii|Kaneohe Marine Corps Base]] in [[Hawaii]]]]

The Aurora was 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.<ref>Donald 1997, p. 118.</ref> Short deployments to Alaska (Adak), Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay), Iceland (Keflavik), the UK (St Mawgan and Kinloss), and Norway (Andoya) were the norm. However, since the end of the [[Cold War]], they have 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 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]].

Deployments have included OP SHARPGUARD (Yugoslavia blockade), OP SIRIUS (Mediterranean Patrols), OP APOLLO (Persian Gulf region), and counter-narcotics patrols in the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific.<ref name="CP-140 Aurora">[http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-current/cp-140.page "CP-140 Aurora."] ''airforce.forces.gc.ca.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>  Through all this, patrols of the Canadian Arctic continue to take advantage of the airframe's unique abilities.<ref>[http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/page-eng.asp?id=13 "What we do: In Canada."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205180702/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/page-eng.asp?id=13 |date=2010-12-05 }} ''airforce.forces.gc.ca.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>

In 2011 and 2012, CP-140 aircraft performed maritime patrol missions in the Libyan waters to help in the enforcement of the no-fly zone over Libya under [[Operation Odyssey Dawn]] and [[Operation Unified Protector]].<ref>[http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=00&id=3758 "Canadian Forces Deploy Maritime Patrol Aircraft In Response To Situation In Libya."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922024407/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=00&id=3758 |date=2012-09-22 }} ''Canadian Forces website'', 25 March 2011.</ref>

As of January 2017, two CP-140s were conducting overland surveillance missions against ISIL as part of [[Operation Impact]]. However one aircraft was withdrawn in May 2017.<ref>[http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-abroad-current/op-impact.page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021003736/http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-abroad-current/op-impact.page |date=21 October 2018 }} "Operation IMPACT" Retrieved:  08 Jan 2017</ref>

From October 2018, due to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea, Canadian Armed Forces deploy periodically a Canadian frigate and/or a CP-140 Aurora on Operation Neon.<ref>[https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/operations/military-operations/current-operations/operation-neon.html] "Operation NEON" Retrieved :07 Aug 2019</ref> In June 2022 it was reported that Chinese jets had repeatedly intercepted the Aurora in a manner which the Canada military said failed to adhere to international air safety norms.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada alarmed as Chinese fighter pilots 'buzz' Canadian planes over international waters |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8885980/canada-china-pilots-buzz-planes-asia |agency=Global News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Canada says Chinese warplanes harassed its patrol aircraft on N.Korea sanctions mission |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/canada-says-chinese-warplanes-harassed-its-patrol-aircraft-nkorea-sanctions-2022-06-02 |work=Reuters |date=June 2, 2022}}</ref> Some of these intercepts forced the Aurora to change its flight path to avoid collision with the intercepting aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada says Chinese warplanes harassed its patrol aircraft on N.Korea sanctions mission |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/canada-says-chinese-warplanes-harassed-its-patrol-aircraft-nkorea-sanctions-2022-06-02 |work=Reuters |date=June 2, 2022}}</ref> Canadian government officials said the incidents were happening with increasing frequency and that they had lodged protests on multiple occasions with their Chinese counterparts, although an article by Global News said that China is not believed to have responded to the reprimands as the interceptions had not stopped continuing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canada alarmed as Chinese fighter pilots 'buzz' Canadian planes over international waters |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8885980/canada-china-pilots-buzz-planes-asia |agency=Global News}}</ref> On October 16, 2023, during a Canadian reconnaissance flight over international waters as part of a United Nations resolution to stop illegal oil shipments to North Korea, Chinese fighter jets intercepted the Aurora for multiple hours over the course of the Aurora's flight. One of the fighter jets behaved in an "aggressive manner" by flying back and forth in close proximity and flying with the Canadian plane within its blind spot, and firing off flares from near the front of the plane.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinese military jet intercepts Canadian Forces plane in 'aggressive manner' - National {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10027324/chinese-military-aircraft-intercept-canadian-forces/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2023, as a result of [[2018–2023 Haitian crisis|recent violence and unrest]], a CP-140 was deployed to [[Haiti]] to help "disrupt the activities of gangs" by providing surveillance and intelligence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2023 |title=Canada sends military aircraft into Haiti's skies as gang violence escalates |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-sends-military-aircraft-into-haiti-s-skies-as-gang-violence-escalates-1.6260765 |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=CTV News}}</ref> Separately, a CP-140 collaborated with USAF F-22 Raptors to intercept and down an unidentified object over Yukon Territory.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 February 2023 |title=US stealth fighter shoots down unidentified object over Canada |url=https://news.sky.com/story/trudeau-orders-take-down-of-unidentified-object-in-canadian-airspace-12809002 |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=Sky News}}</ref>

===CP-140A Arcturus===
[[File:CP-140A Arcturus.jpg|thumb|A CP-140A Arcturus 140120 at [[Downsview Airport]] in [[Toronto, Ontario]], [[Canada]] in 2008]]

Lacking the expensive, heavy and sensitive anti-submarine warfare as well as the anti-surface warfare fittings of the CP-140 Aurora, the Arcturus was more fuel efficient and was 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 did possess a superior AN/APS-507 surface search radar, incorporating modern functions such as [[track-while-scan]] that the Aurora's AN/APS-506 radar lacks but the Arcturus did not have an integrated mission computer, or mission systems. It did, however, maintain the same military communications suite as the CP-140 Aurora.{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}}

All three aircraft were based at 14 Wing. Upon retirement from flying operations, one was used for technician training with [[No. 404 Squadron RCAF|404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron]] on base [[CFB Greenwood]], [[Nova Scotia]], before being moved to the [[Greenwood Military Aviation Museum]] on base.  The last two of the CP-140As were retired in 2011 when they were delivered to the [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)]] in [[Tucson]], [[Arizona]].<ref>Nicholson, Pete (Sergeant). [http://www.aviation.ca/content/view/9662/117/ "The Final Flight of CP140/A AC120 to Tucson, Arizona."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317033143/http://www.aviation.ca/content/view/9662/117/ |date=2011-03-17 }} ''aviation.ca,'' 12 March 2011. Retrieved: 20 March 2011.</ref>

===Replacement===
Several options had been suggested for a CP-140M replacement. These included the [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon]] and the [[Raytheon Sentinel]],<ref>
{{cite web
 | url         = http://www.casr.ca/bg-cp140-replacement-p8.htm 
 | title       = Background – Aurora Alternatives – Boeing P-8A Poseidon Project
 | website     = Canadian American Strategic Review
 | date        = 29 April 2009
 | access-date  = 23 April 2011
 | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100524005715/http://www.casr.ca/bg-cp140-replacement-p8.htm  
 | archive-date = 24 May 2010
 | url-status  = dead
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
 | url         = http://www.casr.ca/bg-cp140-replacement-sentinel.htm
 | title       = Background – Aurora Alternatives — Global Express / R1 Sentinel
 | website     = Canadian American Strategic Review
 | date        = 29 April 2009
 | access-date  = 23 April 2011
 | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110610152254/http://www.casr.ca/bg-cp140-replacement-sentinel.htm 
 | archive-date = 10 June 2011
 | url-status  = dead
}}
</ref> based on the [[Bombardier Global Express]]-6500, as well as late entrant [[PAL Aerospace]] Global Express 6500-based P-6.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2023-02-28/pals-global-6500-based-maritime-patroller-emerges | title=PAL's Global 6500-based Maritime Patroller Emerges &#124; AIN }}</ref>

The RCAF had planned to downsize the fleet from eighteen to fourteen aircraft, with three already being withdrawn and a fourth test aircraft to be retired in the near future. The retirement of the CP-140 was originally expected around 2030, and could have resulted in a capability gap as the RCAF did not anticipate replacements to be delivered until 2032 to 2038.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dgpaapp.forces.gc.ca/en/defence-capabilities-blueprint/project-details.asp?id=975 | title=Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft - Defence Capabilities Blueprint | date=30 May 2018 }}</ref> The RCAF's Weapon System Manager (WSM) had prepared plans to have the CP-140M operational until 2035 to 2040.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vol21/no2/page26-eng.asp | title=The Lockheed CP-140M 'Aurora', Canada's Current Long Range Patrol Fleet | date=23 February 2021 }}</ref>

On March 28, 2023, the Government of Canada sent a Letter of Request to the US's [[Foreign Military Sales]] program to approve the purchase sixteen P-8A to replace the current CP-140 fleet, but it did not indicate any timeline for delivery.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/canada-selects-poseidon-as-cp-140-replacement#:~:text=The%20Canadian%20Government%20has%20selected,been%20in%20service%20since%201980 | title=Canada selects Poseidon as CP-140 replacement - Australian Defence Magazine }}</ref> On June 27, 2023, the US Congress approved the LOR for the Canada to acquire the P-8.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/canada-p-8a-aircraft | title=Canada – P-8A Aircraft &#124; Defense Security Cooperation Agency }}</ref>

On November 30, 2023, Minister of National Defence Bill Blair announced the acquisition of sixteen P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. This acquisition is initially set for fourteen aircraft, with an option of two additional aircraft. It is anticipated by the Department of National Defence that the first aircraft will be delivered in 2026, with full operational capacity by 2033.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Defence |first=National |date=2023-11-30 |title=Canada purchasing up to 16 P-8A Poseidon Multi Mission Aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/11/canada-purchasing-up-to-16-p-8a-poseidon-multi-mission-aircraft-for-the-royal-canadian-air-force.html |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>