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Post by turboNZ on Mar 8, 2005 6:30:40 GMT 12
With Dave's discussion on the other thread about the Air Force Programme got me thinking. Time is running out for the P-3K's. Like Dave said, you just can't keep replacing wings all the time. What are the alternatives? What about Nimrods? How comparable are the Nimrods to P-3K's for loitering and the sort of patrols the RNZAF does ? Are they a viable alternative ? I see the US Navy still uses P-3's (when they not being "shot down" over China  ). Do we look at Russian AWACS ? TNZ |
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Post by Bruce on Mar 8, 2005 7:29:49 GMT 12
Surprisingly there arent a lot of "top end" Maritime aircraft being developed now, all the main contenders are actually as old as the the P3s. Think of the lineage of the Nimrod (Comet) and the P3 (electra) even the Dassult Atlantique is a really old design. I would say the next generation Maritime machine would be based on a Turboprop airliner, such as a Dash 8 or Dash 7, something like that. Perhaps the Britten Norman Defender!
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Post by turboNZ on Mar 8, 2005 7:53:24 GMT 12
I wouldn't have thought the Britten Norman Defender would have the space for all of the radar gear plus ASW equipment the RNZAF utilises.
Also the Defender is based on the BN Islander which had a first flight in 1965 !!
I believe for big over-water loitering you have to have 4-engined safety. Hence Orion, Nimrod and that Ilyushin one also. But I guess the Alantique does okay.....
TNZ
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2005 9:52:36 GMT 12
I don't think the Nimrod is worth considering. It is so old and none are produced today. Whatever replaces the Orions would have to be bought new so the longest possibly lifespan can be envisaged for the fleet. They are very hard working aircraft in the maritime role.
I don't think that they could do any better than purchasing new Orions. I believe Lockheed still build them.
One alternative is the Albatross flying boat from Russia. That'd be awesome, and they have the advantage of landing to pick up survivors where he Orion cannot. It would secure Hobsonville's future too.
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Post by turboNZ on Mar 8, 2005 10:29:49 GMT 12
What about the big Japanese amphibian, the Shin Meiwa US-1 ?
That would be cool too.
TNZ
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Post by turboNZ on Mar 8, 2005 12:02:04 GMT 12
However, what is there not to like about this baby   TNZ |
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Post by Bruce on Mar 8, 2005 21:11:07 GMT 12
It seems as though the likely Orion replacement will be another Orion - Just like the Herk replacement. We really owe a lot to the Defence personnell responsible for the 1960s defence purchases. All the aircraft from that era have proven to be ideal for our purposes and an excellent long term investment - pity we dont see the same sort of wisdom today. Crystal ball gazing slightly longer term, perhaps we will see a maritime version of the Airbus A400M (the former "FLA") as by the time that flies Nato will be looking for a Nimrod / Atlantique replacement, and the 4 engine Turboprop Airbus would make a good platform. Of course with smaller modern search avionics, the host aircraft can be smaller so perhaps an ATR - based machine. Essentially once the avionics suite has been chosen, there could be any one of many aircraft to carry it. With modern fuel efficient turboprops 4 engines are not essential (the RNZAF seem to spend a lot of time using only 3) so one of the new generation turboprop airliners would be suitable. I dont see a pure Jet being suitable due to the range needed to cover the south pacific. Just an educated gues off course...
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Post by turboNZ on Mar 8, 2005 21:23:30 GMT 12
That turboprop Airbus does look the bees-knees and now with our new associated alliance with Airbus, could be a possibility. I hear what you're saying Bruce, turboprop technology has moved on a lot since Allisons were designed and they are infinitely more reliable now. But doncha just love the big smoke clouds the P-3's and Herks leave ........  ;D Cheers Chris |
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;D