Nimrod MRA4

The Nimrod MRA4 offers unrivalled operational effectiveness, incorporating an advanced technical and mission capability and a fully integrated training system and logistics support package.

The Nimrod MRA4 offers a step change in capability in comparison with the previous Nimrod MR2 fleet. It will meet the UK's Maritime Patrol, Reconnaissance, Intelligence and Strike requirements well into the 21st Century  The Nimrod MRA4 will fulfil a number of roles: anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; maritime reconnaissance and intelligence collection; search and rescue and attack.

Key Facts/Figures

• The MRA4 is essentially a re-engineered, re-built aircraft that is 93 per cent new.
• Three design and development aircraft (PA01, PA02 and PA03) were built for flight test and proving ground and maintenance operations.
• The design and development flight test programme was completed at the end of 2009.
• All nine production aircraft are in build and are on target against an incentivised programme.
• PA04, the first production aircraft, flew for the first time in September 2009 and was accepted by the UK Customer in March 2010.

Performance

• Gathers, processes and displays up to 20 times more data than the MR2.
• Equipped with more than 90 antennae and sensors and contains over six million lines of software code.
• Able to fly 6,000 miles or 14 hours without refuelling and can scan an area the size of the UK every 10 seconds.