Hornet Extension Project
Project summary
Canada requires fighter aircraft to contribute to the safety and security of Canadians and protect the sovereignty of one of the largest expanses of airspace in the world.
The Hornet Extension Project will help ensure that the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-18 Hornet fighter fleet is able to meet operational commitments, including to the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), until 2032, when the permanent fleet of F-35As is expected to be fully operational.
Project phases
Currently in Phase 4: Implementation
1. Identification
1. Identification
- N/A
2. Options analysis
2. Options analysis
- Statement of Requirements (SOR) Approval: January 28, 2019
- Project charter sign-off: March 29, 2019
3. Definition
3. Definition
- Project approval phase 1: June 6, 2019
- Project approval phase 2: May 15, 2020
4. Implementation
4. Implementation
- Project approval: May 15, 2020
- Amended project approval: December 9, 2021
- Initial operational capability: June 24, 2024
- Full operational capability: June 2025
5. Close-out
5. Close-out
- December 2026
Learn more about the Defence procurement process.
Additional information
Project updates
Project updates
June 24, 2024
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was achieved with the delivery of the first six upgraded aircraft to 3 Wing Bagotville as part of HEP phase 2.
May 4, 2022
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) contract awarded to Raymond EMC.
February 7, 2022
Start of Phase 2 flight testing.
December 9, 2021
Treasury Board approval for full Implementation with amended expenditure authority and contracting authority received.
February 26, 2021
All nine letters of offer and acceptance from the United States Government have been accepted for acquisitions under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
May 15, 2020
Treasury Board project approval (Definition) phase 2 and (Implementation) with expenditure authority and contracting authority received.
March 4, 2020
Start of Phase 1 flight testing.
November 29, 2019
Defence Procurement Strategy Governance Board Gate #2 and #3 completed for specific phase 2 systems.
September 27, 2019
Defence Procurement Strategy Governance Board Gate #1 completed for phase 2.
June 20, 2019
Independent Review Panel Defence Acquisition (IRPDA) for phase 2 was completed.
June 6, 2019
Treasury Board has approved the project and expenditure authority was received for phase 1.
Industry
Benefiting Canadian Industry
Industrial Technological Benefits will be considered for all acquisitions in excess of $20M.
Technical information
Technical information
The Hornet Extension Project was approved in two phases that are being implemented in parallel.
Phase 1 is providing interoperability and aviation regulatory upgrades for up to 84 CF-18 aircraft. Specifically, the fleet is being upgraded with:
- a new transponder and interrogator to discern friendly from enemy aircraft (equipment acquired separately from HEP)
- a new Link 16 tactical radio system has been fully implemented across the fleet (equipment acquired separately from HEP)
- new radios with satellite communications
- upgrades to the onboard mission computer, aircraft software and aircraft interface systems
- modifications to the targeting pod
- helmet night vision cueing devices
- simulator enhancements incorporating the upgrades for training purposes
Phase 2 is providing improved combat capability for 36 CF-18 aircraft within the CF-18 fleet with upgrades to sensors, weapons, survivability and mission support. Specifically, the 36 aircraft are being upgraded with:
- new short and medium range air-to-air missiles
- new advanced radars
- upgraded aircraft software to include an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (being provided for up to 84 aircraft)
- upgraded security and mission planning systems
- simulator enhancements incorporating the upgrades for training purposes
Project costs
Project costs
The acquisition cost, including project management costs, infrastructure, contracts and contingency is estimated at $1.3 billion.
Issues/Risks
Issues/Risks
N/A
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