Canada upgrades Aurora ISR

Canada is upgrading its Lockheed CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft with a ViaSat satellite communications system.

The upgrade will enable data streaming from Aurora aircraft over the ViaSat satellite network, according to a ViaSat news release. ViaSat is collaborating with L-3 Electronic System Services and Canadian aircraft integrator IMP Aerospace.

The project was completed from project start to first light in less than 90 days. "We're able to meet this kind of urgent timeline because of the global reach of our ViaSat network and the maturity and reliability of our VR-12 mobile satellite system," said John Hoffman, senior director for ViaSat ISR broadband. "We had to make a number of modifications for the Aurora aircraft integration, but to serve this market our team is built for rapid response."

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