Well if we agree that 'something has to go' then perhaps we should look at the P-8A as a multi-mission aircraft and not simply a replacement MPA.
It could replace the dated concept (radar only) Sentinel R Mk1 in the broad area surveillance role adding other sensors with on-board analysis, doing the job better. Leasing aircraft from the production line shouldn't be out of the question, the US Navy have already indicated that 'we' could take some of their allocated slots.
The current 5 Sqn organisation could be retained, replacing the current 'brown jobs' with Dark Blue uniforms and renumbering it 201 Sqn. (201 was the former 1 Sqn RNAS before 1918) it might even keep everyone happy. The 'green slime' could move in with 14 Sqn when they replace the Islander/Defender ... oh hang on I'm not the CAS. Let's wait and see what happens...
