MDA Begins Third Phase of CP140 Radar Surveillance Solution for Canadian Defence

, RICHMOND, BC: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has been authorized to commence the third phase of a three-phase development and production contract with Canada's Department of National Defence (DND) to deliver a new airborne radar surveillance solution for Canada's fleet of CP140 Aurora patrol aircraft. 
 
MDA is the prime contractor for the program, which was announced in January 2003 at a total value of approximately CAD $200 million. The first phase saw the completion of the high level design and the selection of a radar hardware supplier. The second phase saw the completion of detailed design and the initial development and laboratory tests of four prototype systems. 
 
Phase three, valued at approximately CAD $78 million, will complete the ground and flight testing of the four prototype systems. Also included in this phase is the upgrade of the prototypes to production standards, and the manufacturing, testing and delivery of 16 production systems for installation on the CP140 Aurora during the Aurora Incremental Modernization Project mission computer and sensors aircraft modifications efforts. The prototype aircraft modifications are scheduled to commence in April 2007. 
 
The CP140 Aurora patrol aircraft were acquired by Canada in 1980 and are used primarily for maritime surveillance. When the current Aurora upgrade program is completed, the radar surveillance solution on the Aurora will be able to detect, track, and image objects moving on land or sea.  
 
MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, produce essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide. MDA employs more than 3,000 people in locations across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.