Nimrod MR2
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Nimrod MR2
Wonder if anyone may offer a brief overview of the facilities offered to SAR helicopters by the Nimrod MR2 when operating as a scene of search controller at SAR incidents, or what resources it carries to deliver direct aid to those in the water?
Cheers.............Zap
Cheers.............Zap
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Standard MR2 bomb bay SAR load is 2 ASR's (Apparatus sea rescue) plus 3 dinghy pairs. An ASR is basically 3 fibreglass containers, the largest containing an MS10 dinghy, the 2 smaller ones survival supplies. All are buoyant, parachute retarded and joined by 600 yds of cord, giving it a 525 yd stick length once in the water. The Nimrod will aim to gain an accurate on top of the survivor(s) before setting up for a SAR drop aiming to put the ASR/dinghy pair upwind of the datum.
During any SAR incident involving cooperation with Helos the Nimrod will generally maintain top cover for the helo as it transits to and from the scene of action and will remain up at height. This is even more relevant if the incident is well offshore. As we will generally be there well before any helos arrive the aircraft will normally close the contact/ datum and attempt to provide an up to date Sitrep from low level before returning to height. For offshore ops where the helo may have a large transit the Nimrod's comms setup allows us to relay ops normals, get weathers for his dest./div etc.
In the case of a large scale disaster, involving large numbers of helos, the Nimrod SAC will maintain a tote of each asset involved, provide transit corridors to and from the scene, call in surface vessels for assistance and generally attempt to ensure a level of control is maintained, whilst liasing with the Rescue Coordination Centre. Tasking may be given to helos but the method of getting the job done is left down to the individual helo captain.
It's a pretty big subject with a vast number of permutations. If you have any more queries the boys at kinloss are always willing to talk to people about our SAR capabilities.
During any SAR incident involving cooperation with Helos the Nimrod will generally maintain top cover for the helo as it transits to and from the scene of action and will remain up at height. This is even more relevant if the incident is well offshore. As we will generally be there well before any helos arrive the aircraft will normally close the contact/ datum and attempt to provide an up to date Sitrep from low level before returning to height. For offshore ops where the helo may have a large transit the Nimrod's comms setup allows us to relay ops normals, get weathers for his dest./div etc.
In the case of a large scale disaster, involving large numbers of helos, the Nimrod SAC will maintain a tote of each asset involved, provide transit corridors to and from the scene, call in surface vessels for assistance and generally attempt to ensure a level of control is maintained, whilst liasing with the Rescue Coordination Centre. Tasking may be given to helos but the method of getting the job done is left down to the individual helo captain.
It's a pretty big subject with a vast number of permutations. If you have any more queries the boys at kinloss are always willing to talk to people about our SAR capabilities.
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Thanks Difar....
Thanks very much for the really comprehensive response you provided to my post.
In view of the above the Nimrod must be a very reassuring presence for all involved in long range SAR ops.
The use of the Nimrod seems one of the less publicised aspects of SAR, and I may well contact Kinloss to learn more about this invaluable asset.
Many thanks for your time and interest in replying to my enquiry,
Best Wishes.......Zap
In view of the above the Nimrod must be a very reassuring presence for all involved in long range SAR ops.
The use of the Nimrod seems one of the less publicised aspects of SAR, and I may well contact Kinloss to learn more about this invaluable asset.
Many thanks for your time and interest in replying to my enquiry,
Best Wishes.......Zap
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ZAP
The use of the Nimrod seems one of the less publicised aspects of the RAF as a whole.
Very few know what we actually do, many more think they know but are woefully out of date and don’t understand it.
The use of the Nimrod seems one of the less publicised aspects of the RAF as a whole.
Very few know what we actually do, many more think they know but are woefully out of date and don’t understand it.
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Like so many things in life.....
Thanks for your response Charlie,
I guess much like ourselves you suffer from rumour limitation!
Its great to have contact with you folks because much of the published lietrature is out of date.
It is certainly true that the MR2 and the good people who make it work do deserve a much higher profile, especially by the media.......keep up the great work!!
I guess much like ourselves you suffer from rumour limitation!
Its great to have contact with you folks because much of the published lietrature is out of date.
It is certainly true that the MR2 and the good people who make it work do deserve a much higher profile, especially by the media.......keep up the great work!!
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Zaplead, more than happy to give out info on the stuff the MR2 is involved in (that we can discuss in this forum). I'm glad it was of use to you and it's nice to see somebody admitting there is a lack of up to date info rather than diving in head first with an "I know your job and it's *****/you still do the things you were doing in 1978" approach which most seem to have when it comes to the kipper fleet. Thanks for the nice words.
Rivetjoint, maybe I'm being slow, but can you explain your point.
Rivetjoint, maybe I'm being slow, but can you explain your point.
