LJ
If you really believe that helo`s or FF/DD can cover the LRMPA role you are obviously ignorant of maritime operations.
Even if there was a glimmer of hope that a surface unit can head out to 30west in a time period that would have any meaning to the scenario, i would suggest the running cost of such a unit is far higher than that of a 10 man aircraft and therefore the main argument for disposing of the fleet is void.