Roles

Four-engine, Intelligence Surveillance Targeting Acquisition Reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft. Crew of 12 or 13 depending on the role. Can fly for around 9 hours without air-to-air refuelling.

Specifications

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Who uses the Nimrod MR2

Details

The Nimrod MR1 entered service in 1969 and was upgraded to MR2 standard in the late 1970s. While the flight deck and general systems remained the same, the Mission System was given a significant upgrade. The Nimrod is the only jet powered maritime patrol aircraft in military service and offers the advantages of speed and height in transit, while still capable of operating for long on-task periods.

The Nimrod is used in four main roles: Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface-Unit Warfare (ASUW), Intelligence and Communications Support and Search and Rescue (SAR). The operating crew comprises two pilots and a flight engineer, two weapon systems officers (WSO) (tactical and routine), and a WSO who is the sensor and communications coordinator. He is, in turn, supported by a team of two ‘wet’ weapon systems operators (WSOps) and four ‘dry’ WSOps. The ‘wet’ team supervise the aircraft’s acoustic processors, which monitor active and passive sonobuoys, whilst the ‘dry’ team manage a range of radar and non-acoustic sensors, all of which are essential to delivering Nimrod’s full capability. The aircraft can carry in excess of 200 sonobuoys internally, of several different types, both active and passive, which are delivered via two unpressurised 6-buoy rotary launchers and two pressurised singleshot launchers. The Nimrod’s offensive weapons include Sting Ray torpedoes for use in the ASW and ASUW role and for self-defence the aircraft is fitted with Defensive Aids systems and may be armed with four wing-mounted Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. For SAR purposes the aircraft has a selection of air deliverable, multi-seat dinghies and survival packs.

The majority of the Nimrod’s tasking comes from the UK Maritime Air Ops Centre at the Joint Northwood HQ. Peacetime work includes worldwide surface and sub-surface surveillance and the maintenance of a permanent standby for UK and overseas operations or SAR in support of the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre, collocated at RAF Kinloss. SAR tasks include long-range search and shepherd, assistance to SAR helicopters and coordination of search activities as the On-Scene Commander at major incidents. The aircraft routinely operates over the sea down to 200 feet, but is limited to 300 feet at night or in bad weather.

The Nimrod MR2 has also provided a continual presence in the Middle East since late 2001. In that time, employment of the aircraft has evolved to take on an additional range of non-traditional tasks, including overland Electro-Optic IMINT (Image Intelligence) surveillance of Iraq and Afghanistan, and IMINT and communications support to coalition ground troops. The Nimrod MR2 will continue in service until it is replaced by the MRA4, which is expected to enter service around 2011.

Aircraft recognition - Nimrod MR2