Paper covering the subject of FW Maritime Patrol Aircraft for my degree in Applied Aviaiton.

2.  What is ASW?
 What is the threat?
 To the UK
 To British interests overseas
 Outline of ASW capabilities pre-SDSR
 UK ASW Area of interest
 Changes brought about through SDSR
 Why change?
 What next?

3.  Warfare against enemy submarines
 Combined operations consisting of:
 Warships (Frigates)
 Aircraft
 Friendly Submarines
 Other Assets (Space, Sea Bed)
 Multi-Sensor
 Locate, Track, Deter/Damage/Destroy

4.  Cold-War – Soviet Russia
 Modern Cold-War – China?
 Mutually Assured Destruction – Nuclear
Deterrent
 Strategic Capability

5.  11 SSBN (ICBM)
 5 SSGN (Tactical Missile)
 17 SSN (Sub vs Sub)
 17 SS (Sub vs Sub)
 3 SSBN in trials
 Around 10 other specialist submarines
 Possibly the same this number in reserve

12.  Argentina – 3 Diesel Electrics
 China – 51 Diesel Electric, 14 Nuclear
 Korea – 20 Diesel Electric, 50+ Midget
 Iran – 3 Diesel Electric, 25 Midget
 Pakistan – 5 Diesel Electric
 India – 20 Diesel Electric, 6 Nuclear
 Terrorism

14.  13 Type 23 Frigate
 9 Nimrod MRA 4
 Around 30 Merlin HM1

15.  Multi-Role, primarily
ASW
 Max speed 30 kts
 Flight deck for 1 Merlin
 Towed array sonar
 Short range surface
radar
 ESM

16.  Multi-Role, primarily ASW
 Max speed 500 kts
 Endurance 15hrs unrefuelled (Air to air)
 Very capable radar, sonar and ESM

17.  Multi-Role, primarily ASW
 Max speed 160 kts
 Endurance 5hrs
 Ship or landbased
 Radar, sonar and
ESM

19.  Non-introduction of Nimrod MRA4
 Re-rolling of other assets to cover the capability
gap

20. Option Annual Cost Cost per Unit Operating Cost £/Hr
Nimrod MRA4 £200 Million £400 Million* £30,000
Type 26 Frigate £340 Million £300 Million
Merlin HM1 £15 Million £28,000
(Estimated)
* Much higher than projected costs due to project overruns.

21.  P8-A Poseidon
 Casa CN-295M

22.  There is a need for a Maritime Patrol Aircraft
 Cost is an overriding factor
 Replacing the Nimrod MRA4 would take 10+
years
 Experience and skills will fade over time