Mod Delays Force Nimrod Theater Withdrawal

Douglas Barrie/London barrie@aviationweek.com Modification Delay Forces Nimrod Withdrawal from TheaterLondon

Delay in the completion of safety modifications is forcing the United Kingdom to withdraw Nimrod MR2 and R1 support from ongoing combat operations for several months.

The modification work resulted from the loss of a Nimrod MR2 and all crew onboard on operation in Afghanistan in 2006. The work - on hot air ducting - was due to be completed at the end of this month, but delays in the delivery of seals has slipped the whole program.

Around a third of the total number of MR2 and R1 aircraft have been modified so far. The Royal Air Force has 15 MR2 maritime reconnaissance and three R1 Elint aircraft in service.

The air force normally deploys at least two MR2s for operations in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. The R1 is also deployed into theater. Both are used to provide various forms of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. Seeb in Oman is the main operating base for the deployment.

The ability to redeploy the MR2 and R1 to support ongoing operations is expected during the summer.

The MR2 is due to be withdrawn from service in 2011 and replaced by the Nimrod MRA4. A replacement capability for the R1 is also being pursued.

Photo credit: U.K. Ministry of Defense