RAF Nimrod

RAF Nimrod

I originally wanted to cover just the �MR.A4� upgrade program but thought that many people would not know what a Nimrod is anyway so I decided to do the whole thing. Therefore, this will be much longer. Words in italic can be looked up in the glossary. This first article is about the MR2 and R1 versions. Further down will be information on the new MR4 aircraft.

History

The Nimrod is based on the airframe of the world�s first jet passenger airliner, the deHavilland Comet. After several disastrous Comet crashes in the 1950s caused by metal fatigue, the Comet 4 version was developed. For passenger service this was commercially unsuccessful, as the damage had already been done to the Comet�s reputation and there was already a very successful passenger jet liner in service by the time the Comet was allowed to fly again.

The Nimrod first entered RAF service in 1969. The Nimrod MR2 can carry out the roles of Anti Submarine or Surface Unit Warfare and Search and Rescue. The R1 version collects electronic intelligence.

Description

The Nimrod is powered by four jet engines and performs the dedicated role of maritime patrol. The Nimrod can fly on just two engines, conserving fuel, allowing it to patrol for 10 hours without refuelling. However, the Nimrod is also capable of in flight refuelling.

The Nimrod is still the only land based, jet powered marine patrol aircraft in the world. Jet aircraft are more stealthy than propeller powered aircraft because propeller-engined aircraft make a discrete resonance that can be detected by submerged submarines whereas the jet noise of the Nimrod is virtually undetectable.

Crew

� 2 Pilots and a flight engineer operate the flight deck.
� 2 Navigators, who swap between routine and tactical responsibilities every other sortie.
� An Air Electronics Officer (AEO), who is sensor and communications coordinator.
� The sensor team includes 3 Air Electronic Operators (known as 'wet men') who are responsible for monitoring both active (searching) and passive (listening) sonobuoys.
� The remaining 4 Air Electronic Operators (known as 'dry men') manage a wide range of avionics and weapon systems essential in delivering Nimrod's capability.

Roles

Weapons discussed in the roles section will be discussed later in much more detail.

Anti Surface Unit Warfare role (ASUW)

The Nimrod carries weapons in a weapons bay. It�s weapons bay is the largest on any MPA in the world. For the Anti surface unit warfare role, the Nimrod can attack ships using bombs or the long range missiles.

Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW)

For Anti Submarine Warfare the Nimrod can find and track enemy submarines. From it�s internal weapons bay it can then drop depth charges or torpedos.

Search and Rescue role

The aircraft can operate as low as 200 feet whilst over the sea. The Nimrod can drop multi seat dinghies, survival packs and other stores to help people.

Electronic Intelligence gathering

A few Nimrods had all their maritime equipment removed and replaced with a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems used for reconnaissance and the gathering of electronic intelligence. The Nimrod is particularly suited to this role as it can loiter for long periods and make a high speed dash to the area of operation. These Nimrods are known as R1s.

Specifications

Crew : 13
Engines : 4 Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans (MR2 and R1)
Thrust : 48560 lbs combined total of 4 engines
Top Speed : 575 mph
Length : 38.63 m
Range : 3800 miles

Weapons

For ASUW, the Nimrod can carry General purpose 1000lb bombs or Harpoon anti ship missiles in the internal weapons bay.

For ASW, Stingray torpedos or depth charges are deployed.

Sea mines can also be dropped from the aircraft.

In the weeks preceding the Falklands war of 1982, some Nimrods were modified to carry two Sidewinders on each wing. Incredibly, these weren�t just for self defence. They were intended to allow for opportunity attacks on enemy Argentinean surveillance aircraft.

See www.raf.mod.uk..." target="_blank" class="postlink" rel="nofollow">this page for more information on any of these missiles

Sites I used for information

RAF

Target Lock


[edit on 5/8/04 by Hyperen]