Originally Posted by
ORAC
That would seem to depend on the delivery rate, work-up to FOCUS and commitments of the P-8. With a predominant maritime role and RAF/RN crew composition as opposed to the tasking and crew composition of the Sentinel, it would seem debatable. Another "gap".
I'm thinking more Scavenger/Protector and assuming it comes with a SAR/GMTI fit that might cover Sentinel. I know it's not a like for like replacement, largely because of the platform operating concept, but it could be a replacement if adequate numbers actually turn up. And aren't the USN developing a multi-platform concept of P8s working alongside RQ-4?