Room 40
Who said R1 and MR were in the same role?
Don't known anything about the kit to be used in a future platform. However, neither was I aware that it might only be able to be used in a C135?
No problem with the idea of using same kit as an ally if we are actually wanting to do exactly the same thing.
IMHO as an equally useles civvy, I've read in the past that our colonial brethren have specifically asked for the support of 51 sqn in situations where their systems have provided additional capabilities. So, maybe having exactly the same system is not the answer for working with the US.
Advice taken, saves the keyboard. Airframe numbers... In a perfect (non noo-labour) world those 3 'new' Nimrod airframes would be made operational in the MR role as oiginally intended.