Mercury computers to be used in Canadian patrol aircraft

Chelmsford, 11 February 98 The Canadian company Array Systems Computing, has placed a $1.5 million order for 58 Mercury RACE computer systems. The order is part of an Array Systems contract with Lockheed Martin Canada to equip the Canadian Forces' 18 CP-140 Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft with signal processing systems for their surveillance missions.

When completed, the systems will augment the existing AN/APS-506 radar on the aircraft by providing radar scan conversion, multiple target tracking, data display and radar system control. This digital scan converter upgrade also facilitates the insertion of the Spotlight Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) processing equipment into the CP-140. Array is developing this SAR processor using Mercury computers.

The Aurora radar system will be upgraded for a variety of mission profiles, including classification of ships and icebergs, surveillance of battlefields and individual targets, land mapping, economic zone enforcement, and search and rescue. Array, under license from the Canadian Department of National Defense, is developing the synthetic aperture radar processing system. Array markets the product as TriSAR.

Maritime patrol platforms are an example of how governments continue to upgrade defense electronics systems. Both the Canadian Aurora and US P-3 Orion aircraft serve peacetime missions as well as their traditional military duties.

Array's began developing radar and SAR in the 1980s, when the company supported research for the Defense Research Establishment in Ottawa. Currently Array develops radar imaging systems for the Canadian CP-140, the UK Royal Air Force Nimrod aircraft, and the Royal Australian Navy SH-2G helicopter.

Sandra Wermer