6 replies to this topic

[wilmet]

there are rumours that the RAF is considering changing the role of the Nimrod patrol/anti sub aircraft to that of a long range bomber. The plan apparently would be for the modified craft to carry 5 storm shadow missiles (2 on exterior hardpoints under the wings , 3 internaly in the bay area).

The plane has a range of 7000 miles without refueling (if I remember correctly) and would perhaps serve as an intermediate solution until the FOAS enters service in the next decade or two. If this is true this would be Britain's first long range bomber since it scrapped the old vulcans in the 1980s and could be quite a boost for its strike ability.

possibilities for the mod ? then again nothing is 100% sure yet , and I'd need to find the link with the story....

Edited by wilmet, 13 June 2005 - 08:55 PM.

[Andre27]

there are rumours that the RAF is considering changing the role of the Nimrod patrol/anti sub aircraft to that of a long range bomber. The plan apparently would be for the modified craft to carry 5 storm shadow missiles (2 on exterior hardpoints under the wings , 3 internaly in the bay area).

The plane has a range of 7000 miles without refueling (if I remember correctly) and would perhaps serve as an intermediate solution until the FOAS enters service in the  next decade or two. If this is true this would be Britain's first long range bomber since it scrapped the old vulcans in the 1980s and could be quite a boost for its strike ability.

possibilities for the mod ?    then again nothing is 100% sure yet , and I'd need to find the link with the story....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd like to see the link first before commenting.

[wilmet]

I was at work when I read it , it was a newspaper site I believe...I'm looking.
it's not 100% sure like I say , but I've heard this before in the past couple of months.

EDIT: here we are:

The Times June 12, 2005

RAF Nimrods may become bomber force
Peter Almond





THE RAF is drawing up plans to convert a fleet of 25-year-old patrol planes into Britain’s first long-range heavy bomber force since the Falklands war.

The plan is being seen as Britain’s answer to America’s B-52 bomber, still in regular use more than 50 years after it first flew.

The upgraded Nimrod reconnaissance planes, developed from 1950s Comet airliners, would be able to fly non-stop from Britain to hit targets in countries such as Iraq with cruise missiles or precision-guided bombs.

The RAF’s current bombers, mainly Tornados, have a far shorter range and, as in the Iraq war in 2003, depend on the use of airbases in nearby countries for attacking an enemy.

Britain has not had the capability to launch long-range airstrikes since a Vulcan bomber attacked Port Stanley airfield during the Falklands conflict in 1982. The Vulcans were scrapped shortly afterwards.

The cost and practicality of converting Nimrods is being studied and no final decisions have been taken, but senior RAF officials said a “big, versatile platform” could be valuable in attacking terrorist targets because of its long patrolling time and speedy response.

“We need to be able to find, identify, locate precisely, decide about and attack a target all within a small number of minutes, rather than the hours, or even days, that it’s taken us in the past,” Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said in a speech to the Royal Aeronautical Society last week. “This is particularly true in the kinds of asymmetric [anti-terrorist] situations in which we increasingly have to operate.”

RAF sources said the Nimrod upgrade would be a relatively cheap way of filling the gap in capabilities.

A dozen Nimrods are already being modernised to double their range to almost 7,000 miles and improve anti-submarine capability. Few of Britain’s potential enemies have submarines, however, and it is being earmarked for intelligence and communications.

The study, by BAE Systems, is looking at the possibility of the planes carrying up to five Storm Shadows. These British-designed cruise missiles were first used in action by Tornados against Iraqi bunkers in 2003.

The latest upgrade of the Nimrod, the MRA4, could be adapted to carry two Storm Shadows under each wing and another in a bomb bay. It could fly missions of 17 hours or more, with air-to-air refuelling, and hit targets with the missiles from up to 400 miles away.

there's abit of chauvinism from the reporter in this article, but the story sounds plausible.

Edited by wilmet, 13 June 2005 - 09:14 PM.

[Major_Gilbear]

Hmm, still I'd prefer a more definate plan though. There is no really commitment on part of the military to actually use these as long-range bombers...

At least the Eurofighter and JSF are virtually certain.

Also, player-buildable long-range high-level bombers don't really work all that well for several reasons (airfield size being one). There will be such bombers, but so far, they are not exactly player-buildable fighter-sized bombers are so far preferred to be player-buildable instead.

[wilmet]

well ,it would be cool if it happpened in real life anyway. Like they say , it's cheaper to modify an existing plane than build a new one , and seeing how cash isn't exactly growing on trees for the RAf at the moment...it might be interesting to keep an eye on this story in the coming months.

I don't suppose they could be used as airstrikes you call in if you use them one day as bombers in the mod ?

Edited by wilmet, 13 June 2005 - 09:48 PM.

[Mig Eater]

I'm against the idea of adding the Nimrod bomber. The only advantage it would have over the Tornado is its range & payload, which in-game doesn’t really mean anything so there is no need for it.

If the Nimrod were added it would best to use it for it’s proper role & arm it with long range anti-ship missiles.

[wilmet]

you might have a point there
oh well ,I thought it was an interesting story at least