Originally Posted by
Lowe Flieger
When it comes to cuts again (inevitable), you can chop some capability without cutting all capability.
Oddly enough this happened with the Mk 1 and early on with the Mk 2 Nimrods. The vertical cameras were withdrawn as their utility versus their maintenance costs made them ripe for a cost saving. The AS-12 was possibly another case in point with the threat from SAN greater than the capability of the AS-12 but now? The on-top drift sight and other goods were not procured or installed.
Other goods were of course installed in their stead, particularly on the comms fits.