Canadian fighter jets more robust, Phase I CF-18 modernization complete

By Holly Bridges

Major André Lessard and Captain Jacques Gaudet, CF-18 fighter pilots and test pilots for the Phase I project, sit in the cockpit of the jet inside the L-3 MAS hangar in Mirabel. CREDIT:  WO SERGE PETERS

Five years, 80 aircraft and hundreds of test flights later, the first phase of an $880-million upgrade to Canada’s fleet of CF-18 fighter jets is finally complete.

The Department of National Defence accepted the delivery of the 80th and final Phase I modernized CF-18 Hornet from Boeing International in a ceremony last Thursday at the L3 Communications MAS facility in Mirabel, Quebec. The event marked the completion of Phase I of the CF-18 modernization project.

“This is one of those moments Presidents live for,” said Sylvain Bédard, President of L-3 Communications MAS, the company contracted by Boeing International to upgrade the fighters. “We have delivered the project on time, on budget, on schedule and to the highest possible quality.”

Phase I is considered the cornerstone CF-18 modernization project, providing the fleet with secure communications interoperability. The upgrades completed include: a new radar; jam-resistant radios; a combined interrogator-transponder; stores management systems; mission computers; and embedded global positioning and inertial navigation systems.

Phase I, in collaboration with Phase II (which began its prototype modification in January 2006) will provide the Canadian Forces with a technologically advanced, reliable and effective fighter aircraft.

Lieutenant-General Steve Lucas, Chief of the Air Staff, listens as Lieutenant-Colonel Alain Pelletier chats with a Montreal TV news reporter at the L-3 MAS hangar in Mirabel during the acceptance ceremony. LCol Pelletier flew combat missions aboard the CF-18 during the Kosovo conflict in 1999. CREDIT:  WO SERGE PETERS

“Canadians have made it clear that they want an effective and efficient military, one that is properly equipped and that will serve their interests both at home and abroad,” said Lieutenant-General Steve Lucas, Chief of the Air Staff upon receiving the aircraft.  “The government has made it clear they intend to give our men and women in uniform the resources and equipment they need to do the job.  By investing in modern technology and equipment, we are ensuring that the men and women of the Canadian Forces will continue to be among the best in the world at what they do.”

Major André Lessard, a CF-18 pilot posted to the project for the past year, has personally flown 54 of the 80 modernized jets and racked up 150 flying hours, testing out the upgrades as they were completed.

“I must say never did I feel unsafe or insecure in the aircraft during those test flights,” said Maj Lessard. “And that was because of the outstanding professionalism of the technicians (some of whom are retired Air Force aircraft technicians) who worked on the aircraft. It was just like being on a squadron the way they cared for us, cared for the aircraft and the work they were doing.”

Fellow test pilot, Captain Jacques Gaudet agreed.  “It was awesome because I got to fly and contribute to the project at the same time by assisting with the development of the various software that went into the project,” said Capt Gaudet. “Flying the aircraft is no different per se, it’s what’s inside that’s different – the radar, the interrogator function, the secure Internet – all of it is going to be a tremendous help for us in the battlefield.”

And in a timely reminder of why Canada and other nations need the best equipment possible in these uncertain times, the Vice President of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Jim O’Neil, took the opportunity to “thank the military men and women standing guard protecting our freedom, day in and day out. God speed to them.”

Boeing was awarded the $880-million contract for Phase I of the CF-18 Incremental Modernization Project in 2001. The contract included the procurement and installation of this sophisticated technical upgrade package to make the modernized CF-18 a much more relevant fighter aircraft well until its projected end of life, in about the 2017 timeframe.

Phase II will outfit Canada’s CF-18s with the latest in technologically advanced equipment.

The L-3 MAS technicians who made it all possible, flanked by Major Lessard(right) and Capt Gaudet (left) . CREDIT:  WO SERGE PETERS

The fighter jets will be equipped with a secure data and communications link that allow CF-18 crews to stay in constant contact with other jets, ground stations and airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) to maintain awareness in their constantly evolving environment.

New state-of-the-art colour display panels will provide pilots with improved access to flight data and communications. The colour displays will significantly improve the pilots’ ability to refine the reams of data they receive. Pilots’ helmets will be outfitted with new visors that display readings from the instrument panel, so that they can maintain visual contact with a target without having to look down into the cockpit to monitor flight instruments. A new ejection seat, in support of this new helmet display system, will also be procured under Phase II. The aircraft will also be outfitted with a new missile countermeasures chaff/flare dispenser.

Two prototypes are currently being modified at the Naval Air Warfare Center, in China Lake, California. Production is planned to begin in October 2006 at the L3 Communications MAS facilities in Mirabel, Quebec and will last for three years.