Final Upgraded CF-18 Delivered

Group photo of The Countermeasures Warning and Control System ALR-67 (V3) Mod line. Photo taken in on the floor of 1 Hangar on 21 January 2014 by Corporal (Cpl) Audrey Solomon, Imagery Technician, 4 Wing Cold Lake

March 4, 2014 By Captain John-Alec Bossence - RCAF / Defence Watch

The fighter force has achieved another significant milestone with the delivery of the final ALR-67 (V3) modified CF-188 Hornet from Boeing International. The milestone was marked at a ceremony held on January 21 at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta.

As part of the CF-188 defensive electronic warfare suite project, the objective of the ALR-67 (V3) modification sub-project was to upgrade the CF-188 Electronic Warfare self-protection equipment to improve the CF-188 survivability in a modern theatre of operation against both air-to-air and air-to-ground threats.

After a competitive process, the ALR-67 (V3) aircraft modification contract was awarded to Boeing who sub-contracted the work to L-3 Military Aviation Services (MAS). The work was performed through a dedicated modification line at 4 Wing Cold Lake, with modifications to the first aircraft starting in March 2011. Each aircraft required 14 work days in the modification line to incorporate the new advanced capability.

The close-knit fighter community came together to complete the modification line ahead of schedule. The combined efforts from L-3 MAS, 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, 410 Tactical Fighter (Operation Training) Squadron, Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment and 1 Air Maintenance Squadron (1 AMS), all from 4 Wing, and 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron from 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, were essential for the completion of the modification line. They all contributed to the preparation, configuration, transportation and logistical requirements to have every aircraft delivered to the Cold Lake modification line on time to meet the induction schedule and deliver aircraft on or ahead of schedule.

On January 21 the last of 75 aircraft was delivered and 1 AMS held a closing ceremony with representatives from Boeing, L-3 MAS and 4 Wing Cold Lake to recognize and congratulate the participants for this unique and outstanding success.