Page 48 - Leverage and Learn

Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

“For 58 years, we have had a bi-national command, NORAD. The current government faces a set of tough
problems, not the least of which due to past governments not addressing re-capitalization.

“Clearly, what they need to do is to recapitalize their air and maritime force, and preferably, one that can
work together from the ground up as an integrated force. I think NORAD needs to become a multi-domain
command, and their forces could flow into that command and out of that command as a key enabler.”

http://breakingdefense.com/2016/04/northcom-defending-north-america-at-ten-and-two-oclock/
Recently, I had a chance to interview the head of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt. General Michael Hood, to
discuss the evolving Canadian role in the 10 O’Clock, notably with regard to ASW and participation in the
evolving maritime domain strike enterprise in this key area of operations.

Currently, the Canadians are flying upgraded CP-140s which are variants of C-130s along with introducing
new ASW helicopters, the CH-148 Cyclones along with upgrading their frigates for ASW operations.

“We have been flying two members of the RAF crews on our ASW aircraft in the interim between the sunset
of Nimrod and the sunrise of the P-8. We have also filled the gap left by the sun setting of Nimrod with our
own ASW assets. We have done so by operating from either RAF Lossiemouth or Keflavik to help manage the
GIUK gap. Out of all of the NATO ASW platforms in there, the most effective one has been our CP-140. I am
exceptionally proud of our ASW capability and when I couple it with the new advanced capability on our
upgraded frigates, I see us a backbone of NATO's ASW capability.”

He argued that the current CP-140s have better sensors than currently operating onboard the P-8s.

“We have better capability from an ASW perspective in the CP-140 than comes off the line presently in the
P-8. We have just gone through a Block III upgrade that has completely modernized the ASW capability as
well as adding an overland ISR piece. We have replaced the wings on many major empennage points and
the goal is to get our CP-140 out to about 2032 when we're going to replace it with another platform.”

Lt. General Hood focused very much on the evolving maritime domain and strike enterprise emerging in the
North Atlantic as a key domain to which Canada currently contributes to in significant ways.

http://breakingdefense.com/2017/07/allies-and-the-maritime-domain-strike-enterprise/

The General noted that the new defense policy has authorized adding a UAS capability for the ASW effort
as well. “In the next three years, we'll be under contract for a medium altitude UAS system that is going to
have both domestic and coastal abilities as well as expeditionary strike capabilities. We participate in
NATO AGS as well. We've got a number of people and have funded significantly NATO AGS in a Triton-like
capability.”

And now that the RCAF has been given the space mission, the General discussed as well the satellite side of
the equation with regard to ASW and the High North as well. The new RADARSAT constellation will provide
enhanced sensor coverage and Canada plans to launch a polar constellation satellite system to provide for
High North communication needs.

“That is actually going to finally allow us to see operate UASs up above 70 degrees north.”

The integration of space with unmanned assets such as Triton along with the various manned Maritime Patrol
Aircraft operating in the North Atlantic, upgraded French Atlantiques, Canadian Auroras and new P-8s is how
the new enterprise is being crafted. And for Lt. General Hood, this evolving mix of capabilities into a more

Second Line of Defense

Page 47