Canada Replacing Aurora's

[Gary]

The Canadian defense minister suggested in the press that next week they will announce a replacement for the Aurora's as they are rather old and in the government's opinion, asking the military to fly in the harsh environments up north in 40 year old airframes is an unacceptable option. (40 by the year 2025 is what I think they mean)

Possible contenders for replacement, Boeing's P-8 Poseidon and Bombadier's Astor. You fellows who do those cool profile drawings have some stuff to draw!

Does anyone know the scoop on either of these aircraft? All I can find on the web is corporate promo propaganda.

[B777LR]

The P-8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-8_Poseidon

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/mma/

[Jennings]

CP-180 Poseidon.  Okay, I know they'll be ugly grey when/if they enter service, but still....



J

[Brian da Basher]

Looks smashing in those colors though!

Brian da Basher

[Jennings]

And in camo...

[Deino]

Ohhhh ... wonderfull ... and now PLEASE a US Navy bird ... maybe one in a colourfull scheme and one in grey.

Thanks, Deino

[B777LR]

CP-180 Poseidon.  Okay, I know they'll be ugly grey when/if they enter service, but still....



J

Woooo, retro coolness!

[Gary]

Oh man! That retro look put a Harpoon in my pants! Mr. J, you rock!

I hope like heck they do one like that, you know, for one of those special events type things. It's so danged sexy!

I read that GB choose the Astor over other contenders for a bunch of reasons, but one big one was that the P-8 hasn't yet flown. Is that true? Astor is apparently in use? (true or false? I've pics of it flying but couldn't sort out the markings) The site had a bunch of other commentary too that seems kind of slanted so I'm not too sure. India had considered the P-8 and was also looking at an Airbus as well as a few Russian airframes and even remanufactured Orions and they too seemed very hesitant about the P-8 for the same reason Great Britian did.

Cheers guys.

This really is the bestest websight in the world!

[lancer]

Oh man! That retro look put a Harpoon in my pants! Mr. J, you rock!

I hope like heck they do one like that, you know, for one of those special events type things. It's so danged sexy!

I read that GB choose the Astor over other contenders for a bunch of reasons, but one big one was that the P-8 hasn't yet flown. Is that true? Astor is apparently in use? (true or false? I've pics of it flying but couldn't sort out the markings) The site had a bunch of other commentary too that seems kind of slanted so I'm not too sure. India had considered the P-8 and was also looking at an Airbus as well as a few Russian airframes and even remanufactured Orions and they too seemed very hesitant about the P-8 for the same reason Great Britian did.

Cheers guys.

This really is the bestest websight in the world!

5 SQN are using the Astor operationally. I think they are the only ones that are ATM,  but I might well be wrong on that, I don't have access to the resources others have at the 'mo.  

[Captain Canada]

Nice thread, Gary !

Love the profiles, Jennings ! Especially the retro one.....and the camo one !

Canada getting the ASTOR would rock...we could really use an a/c with her abilities.

You guys remember the model ( on ARC or HS ? ) that a guy did of a 737 based MMA in NF markings ? The freaking thing was awesome !

 

[Gary]

You guys remember the model ( on ARC or HS ? ) that a guy did of a 737 based MMA in NF markings ? The freaking thing was awesome !

Bob Aitkens. The guy here in Halifax is a local legend, but he retired from work and moved to Newfoundland

Miss him a bunch, great guy

[B777LR]

I read that GB choose the Astor over other contenders for a bunch of reasons, but one big one was that the P-8 hasn't yet flown. Is that true? Astor is apparently in use? (true or false? I've pics of it flying but couldn't sort out the markings)

Yes, its in service. And it seems very logical to choose it over the P-8, since final assembly of the P-8 prototype has only just begun yesterday

India had considered the P-8 and was also looking at an Airbus as well as a few Russian airframes and even remanufactured Orions and they too seemed very hesitant about the P-8 for the same reason Great Britian did.

I belive the plan for india is to upgrade the remaining Il-18s, and when the P-8s arrive they replace Il-18s. And i also think the P-8 will be chosen over the P-3 and A-319 ASW, due to the reason that its newer, theres plenty of NG 737 in india (= easy maintenence), and that the A-319 ASW aircraft hasnt even got a single order yet (i dont even think its been launched yet)...

And for the canadian competition, i beleive the most natural thing would be the ASTOR (its canadian ), but since canada has Boeing C-17s, and the US goverment probably would try to affect the order, i dont really see any of them as winners, until it is delivered.

[kitnut617]

So you don't think the Government would go for something already proven and being built now-----like a Nimrod MR.4      

[Mike Wren]

oooh lovely!    

[nev]

Yep, based down at Waddington.  Saw one cruising over the house a few months ago.  They're in service with 5 squadron which is fitting considering the sqdn heritage and markings.

I belive the plan for india is to upgrade the remaining Il-18s, and when the P-8s arrive they replace Il-18s. And i also think the P-8 will be chosen over the P-3 and A-319 ASW, due to the reason that its newer, theres plenty of NG 737 in india (= easy maintenence), and that the A-319 ASW aircraft hasnt even got a single order yet (i dont even think its been launched yet)...

I believe India are also using upgraded Bears for maritime patrol?

So you don't think the Government would go for something already proven and being built now-----like a Nimrod MR.4

Problem there is lack of aiframes - the MR4 is being converted from existing a/c (hence the problems fitting computer built wings with 40yr old hand built fuselages...)