Status Of The Nimrod MR4A
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The briefing I had from the project team a few years ago was quite impressive. If they can get it all to work it will be very good AND have a role for the future.
It is just a shame it has taken so long and wasted so much money.
It is just a shame it has taken so long and wasted so much money.
Getting back to the original point about the status of the Nimrod MRA4.....
I thought the contract was due to be signed at ministerial level in Dec 05. To the best of my knowledge it has still not been (and no doubt that nice Mr Browne will be too busy 'reading into his brief' to do so for a while). Presumably this 6+ month delay will result in further overall delays in the project, or are BAe at Warton and Woodford going ahead at full speed at their own risk in 'anticipation' of a contract actually being forthcoming?
Hopefully somebody out there has some actual news, or is it all 'commercial in confidence', etc.....
I thought the contract was due to be signed at ministerial level in Dec 05. To the best of my knowledge it has still not been (and no doubt that nice Mr Browne will be too busy 'reading into his brief' to do so for a while). Presumably this 6+ month delay will result in further overall delays in the project, or are BAe at Warton and Woodford going ahead at full speed at their own risk in 'anticipation' of a contract actually being forthcoming?
Hopefully somebody out there has some actual news, or is it all 'commercial in confidence', etc.....
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Helpful Stacker - You seem like top quality 4* material to me. Apart from the fact that the Warsaw Pact folded around 1990 and has subsequently lost interest in its Red Banner submarine fleet since then, one can only wonder why this expensive red herring is still being pursued? Apart from a few unfortunate Sperm Whales, who exactly are you going to blow up? Why aren't our US chums upgrading the somewhat aged P-3 Orions? Is it because there is a lack of credible threat? For a project that was started by our erstwhile Defence Secretary of the day, Mr Miguel Portaloo (who now, obviously, enjoys a non executive seat on the board of BAE) with an in service date of 2003 (err make that 2009 if your lucky) and an estimated cost of 3.5 billion from a projected cost of 2 billion - All for 12 aeroplanes circa 1955.
I am not even going to ask why the RAF feel the need for an anti-submarine capability
I am not even going to ask why the RAF feel the need for an anti-submarine capability
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You might be surprised how much the Nimrod spends feet wet these days. Or feet dry.
Its's also got a a bomb bay that can carry more (oh, so much more) than bombs; dumb, smart or rubber.
True, the Yanks are not upgrading the P3. They have caught up and are going for jets (the 737 derivative).
Also true, the Red Banner fleet is not what it was. Ivan has gone for the cold, hard, cash option and flogged them to .... just about anyone with cold, hard, cash. Or maybe oil.
Its's also got a a bomb bay that can carry more (oh, so much more) than bombs; dumb, smart or rubber.
True, the Yanks are not upgrading the P3. They have caught up and are going for jets (the 737 derivative).
Also true, the Red Banner fleet is not what it was. Ivan has gone for the cold, hard, cash option and flogged them to .... just about anyone with cold, hard, cash. Or maybe oil.
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Originally Posted by Letsby Avenue
Helpful Stacker - You seem like top quality 4* material to me. Apart from the fact that the Warsaw Pact folded around 1990 and has subsequently lost interest in its Red Banner submarine fleet since then, one can only wonder why this expensive red herring is still being pursued? Apart from a few unfortunate Sperm Whales, who exactly are you going to blow up? Why aren't our US chums upgrading the somewhat aged P-3 Orions? Is it because there is a lack of credible threat? For a project that was started by our erstwhile Defence Secretary of the day, Mr Miguel Portaloo (who now, obviously, enjoys a non executive seat on the board of BAE) with an in service date of 2003 (err make that 2009 if your lucky) and an estimated cost of 3.5 billion from a projected cost of 2 billion - All for 12 aeroplanes circa 1955.
I am not even going to ask why the RAF feel the need for an anti-submarine capability
I am not even going to ask why the RAF feel the need for an anti-submarine capability
You are not Lewis Page are you?
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I'm glad that Woodford was finally correctly identified as the current hidyhole for the Nimrod 2000 (remember the original date tag!) instead of Woodvale, I was beginning to think it was going to degrade into another VGS bashing session. 
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For those less well informed people amongst you, the following link may be of assistance.
http://www.manw.nato.int/manw/pages/...l_aviation.htm
Hopefully you will see that that the term MPA is somewhat misleading these days. For the future, MMA (Multi-Mission Aircraft) is a more appropriate term. With the many capabilities mentioned in the official site above maybe those sceptics will stop the blinkered approach and go and find out some information, if they can, before gobbing off so much. Although the MRA 4 is having some troubles and no doubt will have teething troubles when it has entered service, given time it will be a massive step forward. Maybe the fast jet lords and masters will realise the capabilities and have to fight their corner for funding on the small pointy jets.
ps There are plenty of websites giving details of the MRA 4 capabilities and potential capabilities, so no excuse for ignorance folks. The "A" in MRA isnt there for no reason.
http://www.manw.nato.int/manw/pages/...l_aviation.htm
Hopefully you will see that that the term MPA is somewhat misleading these days. For the future, MMA (Multi-Mission Aircraft) is a more appropriate term. With the many capabilities mentioned in the official site above maybe those sceptics will stop the blinkered approach and go and find out some information, if they can, before gobbing off so much. Although the MRA 4 is having some troubles and no doubt will have teething troubles when it has entered service, given time it will be a massive step forward. Maybe the fast jet lords and masters will realise the capabilities and have to fight their corner for funding on the small pointy jets.
ps There are plenty of websites giving details of the MRA 4 capabilities and potential capabilities, so no excuse for ignorance folks. The "A" in MRA isnt there for no reason.
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At close to a projected £1/3Bn / $1/2Bn per frame it'd better be pretty *&%^$£? special. That's a whole p*sspot full of transport a/c and helos (at American, not BAe, prices) that could be bought off the shelf. Oh, and I have little faith in projected capabilities after observing defence matters from the outside and inside over the last 20+ years.
Perhaps the only blinkers are those worn by those who unquestioningly toe the company line.
Perhaps the only blinkers are those worn by those who unquestioningly toe the company line.
Last edited by Confucius; 26th May 2006 at 23:00.
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aaargh!!
It really never fails to amaze me the blind ignorance/stupidity of those that have little or no knowledge of what the kipper fleet and their allied bretheren have been employed with over the years.
Maybe they should ask to be assigned to an operational Sqn not a training one for a tour or 2.
Sorry what am I thinking the airforce is all about blunties with clipboards and the odd fast jet for the summer airshow season
Hook, line, sinker, rod, game chair and the friggen boat if i can fit it
.
Charlie sends
It really never fails to amaze me the blind ignorance/stupidity of those that have little or no knowledge of what the kipper fleet and their allied bretheren have been employed with over the years.
Maybe they should ask to be assigned to an operational Sqn not a training one for a tour or 2.
Sorry what am I thinking the airforce is all about blunties with clipboards and the odd fast jet for the summer airshow season
Hook, line, sinker, rod, game chair and the friggen boat if i can fit it
.Charlie sends
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
no doubt will have teething troubles when it has entered service, given time it will be a massive step forward.
Last edited by ORAC; 27th May 2006 at 06:57.
I take it nobody has anything constructive to say in response to my earlier comment on this page........
Ok, thought not. I'll let you all get back to the uninformed/informed should we/shouldn't we arguement about whether it is actually worth while getting the MRA4 (think smaller B-52 for overland options, multi storm shadows with loiter capability, as much firepower as a 4 ship of Tornados with AAR support, NEC hub, etc..... You actually need to have some VISION - which our airships probably won't!!) in the first place!
Ok, thought not. I'll let you all get back to the uninformed/informed should we/shouldn't we arguement about whether it is actually worth while getting the MRA4 (think smaller B-52 for overland options, multi storm shadows with loiter capability, as much firepower as a 4 ship of Tornados with AAR support, NEC hub, etc..... You actually need to have some VISION - which our airships probably won't!!) in the first place!
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Originally Posted by Sideshow Bob
FormerFlake
There are plans for R1 upgrades
There are plans for R1 upgrades
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As Oscar Wilde said
"Some people know the price of everything, and the value of nothing"
Nimrod has been, and always will be, the only true multi role ac in the RAF inventory!
Must end with a joke - Tornado MRCA - Ha!
"Some people know the price of everything, and the value of nothing"
Nimrod has been, and always will be, the only true multi role ac in the RAF inventory!
Must end with a joke - Tornado MRCA - Ha!