Originally Posted by whitenoise
Can all the contenders do it? I would include P1,P8,C295,SeaHerc any others? This is a fair fight yes? Not just P8 because there are embedded crews?
I'm sure that the likes of Hercules and C295 are capable in itself but they are in a different league, no?
The P8 and P1 are also considerably quicker (time to reach station), can cover a lot more square kilometres and have much more range.
Also due to their size they are real NIMROD-like successors and probably have a lot more room for growth (other systems and tasks) I would imagine.
Maybe an A400 type or A320-esque might be more likewise competitors but they'll have to be developed, as an MPA, from the ground up and I don't see that as being a cheap and quick solution
Frankly if you're in the market for a P8 type of MPA only the KAWASAKI seems a reasonable alternative, no?