Nimrod MR2

The Nimrod is a four-engined maritime patrol aircraft that carries out three main roles: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface unit warfare and search and rescue.

The Nimrod entered service in 1969 as the MR1 version and was upgraded to MR2 standard in the early 1980’s. Based on the civilian Comet airliner, the Nimrod was, and remains, the only jet-powered long-range maritime patrol aircraft in military service. This offers the advantages of speed and height during transit, long patrol periods and stealth in the anti-submarine mission.

The Nimrod can fly for around 10 hours which can be extended by the use of air-to-air refuelling. The operating crew comprises of two pilots and a flight engineer, two navigators and an air electronics officer who is sensor and communications co-ordinator. They are supported by a team of three ‘wet’ air electronics operators (AEOs) monitoring the aircraft’s acoustic processors and four ‘dry’ AEOs managing the avionics and weapon systems.

The Nimrod’s weaponry includes Stingray torpedoes for the anti-submarine role and Harpoon missiles for use against surface vessels. For self defence the aircraft can be armed with four Sidewinder air-to-air missiles carried under the wings.

An aircraft is kept available for search and rescue tasks, primarily for downed military aircrew and military maritime incidents, although Nimrods are tasked by the Air Rescue Co-ordination Centre to attend many civil incidents. In this role the aircraft has a selection of multi-seat dinghies and survival packs that can be delivered from the air. The Nimrod routinely operates over the sea down to 200ft, but is limited to 300ft at night or in bad weather.

Nimrod aircraft are operated by 120 Squadron and 201 Squadron based at RAF Kinloss, also the home for the Nimrod operational conversional unit, 42(R) Squadron. Military Air Solutions maintain the aircraft at the station under the Nimrod Integrated Support Contract. Under this arrangement, aircraft availability for operational duties has increased by 40% and costs reduced by 8%. Military Air Solutions are responsible for on-aircraft depth maintenance, spares management and fleet management and are incentivised to make the optimum number of Nimrods available each day to meet operational requirements.

Support of the current UK Nimrod fleet is paving the way for the introduction into service of the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft, providing a seamless transition between the two platforms.

Specifications

• Powerplant: Four Rolls Royce Spey turbofans
• Wingspan: 35m
• Height: 9.14m
• Length: 38.65m
• Max Speed: 575 mph
• Max Altitude: 44,000 ft
• Crew: 13