PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - US puts 3 KC-135Rs forward to the UK for SIGINT
Old 29th Jul 2008, 09:57
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ZH875
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 64
Posts: 2,278
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Wonderful Media Reporting (Again)

From that wonderful local newspaper The Lincolnshire Echo

Nimrod spy planes that fly over the skies of Lincolnshire may be scrapped, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The MoD is considering axing three Nimrod spy planes based at RAF Waddington and replacing them with American RC-135 Rivet Joints.

The spy planes, operated by 52 Squadron, are due for an upgrade as part of a £3bn programme to refurbish the entire Nimrod fleet.

But the upgrades are now well behind schedule and millions over budget.

An MoD spokesman said: "We are considering a range of options to continue the capability currently provided by the Nimrod R1 until around 2025 - namely airborne electronic surveillance.

"As part of this work we are currently considering acquisition of the Rivet Joint system as an option to meet the capability requirement."

The decision to look at the future of all Nimrods follows an inquest where its aged design was blamed for a crash in Afghanistan which claimed the lives of 14 servicemen.

Craig Hoyle of Flight International said: "There have certainly been quite a lot of rumours about getting the Rivet Joints and the fact that the MoD has confirmed it is under consideration is significant."
The BBC must get their reporters from the local newspapers.
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