LO: A brief look at the
SAAB data sheet suggests no ASW mission for the 2000, no mention of deployable stuff (like sonobuoys), a maritime "surveillance" radar (is it good enough to detect fleeting targets like a periscope?), 5.5 hours endurance at 200 nms (so not long on station at 6 or 700 nms?) and no mention of weapons capability at all; so sort of half a P-3 then.
Looks like it would be a good option for Border Agency, Immigration, Customs, pollution and SAR work though, but not convinced by its military (ASW/ASuW) role; unless SAAB have a cunning plan.
I understand that Erieye radar is pretty good but have no idea how it compares to Wedgetail. As for minimising airframe types; isn't it a shame we cannot take the RJ systems and put them on board a far more modern airframe? Something already in service with the RAF? Perhaps something like an A330? High altitude, long range/endurance, stacks of space (although I guess the US would want a 767 based version to match their future tanker force).