UK set to seal Nimrod replacement deal

[Mackrick]

Article courtesy of Flight Global

The UK Ministry of Defence will sign a contract within the next few weeks to replace its British Aerospace Nimrod R1 electronic intelligence aircraft, having deemed the capability an essential element of its future military equipment inventory.

Once finalised, the deal will advance the planned acquisition of three stored Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint airframes from the US government. These will be modified for operational use by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems in the USA.

Confirming that a previous proposal to modify BAE Systems' three development examples of the Royal Air Force's new-generation Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft has been rejected, a senior military source says the Rivet Joint contract will be signed "within weeks".

"We have the approvals, and we have an agreement. We just don't have a contract yet," the source adds.

Long-term activities with the RAF's three Nimrod R1s had appeared to be at risk following the MoD's surprise move in December to accelerate the retirement of its remaining Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft. Its last Kinloss-based MR2s will stop flying by 31 March, a year sooner than previously planned, and two years before the last of nine replacement MRA4s will be handed over.

The military source says operations with the R1 will be safeguarded until the new Rivet Joint assets become available, partially by using cost savings generated by the MR2 fleet retirement. "There will be no capability gap," the source adds.

[Xplumberlives]

Looking forward to seeing three RC135s at Waddington!

[Molerat]

Looking forward to seeing three RC135s at Waddington!

Alongside the MRA4's

[Xplumberlives]

Yep!

[Molerat]

Yep!

Someone else who thinks the same as me. Around here they are all in denial 'cos it's gonna make a big hole in the local economy but the writing is on the wall.

[Xplumberlives]

Although still called MR4 the Maritime element is rather a misnomer as they will be deployed looking for terrorists or drug runners, NOT WARPAC Submarines!

Because of this the need to live next to the sea is irrelevant!