UK Royal Air Force To Replace Nimrod SIGINT Aircraft with RC-135s

By: Chris Pocock

July 21, 2008
Aircraft

The UK Royal Air Force flies three Nimrod R.1 versions that are dedicated to SIGINT (signals intelligence). They were converted from MR.2 maritime patrol aircraft, and their sensors have been upgraded regularly to monitor emerging new threats and signals. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) developed a plan for a complete replacement of the aircraft’s SIGINT suite, Project Helix, and chose L-3 Communications UK to provide it. But after the fatal crash of a Nimrod MR.2 in Afghanistan in September 2006, aging airframe issues surrounding those aircraft became controversial. BAE Systems told AIN recently that supporting the three unique R.1 aircraft in future years “could be very expensive.”

The MoD therefore sought alternatives. It explored joining the U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint SIGINT operation, in similar fashion to the Joint Predator Task Force that was set up in 2004, so that RAF pilots and ground crew could operate alongside U.S. Air Force UAV crews. But some British insiders in the SIGINT community criticized that option, citing a possible loss of control and operational sovereignty over this sensitive and vital mission.

Now AIN understands that the U.S. Department of Defense has selected three USAF KC-135R airframes for a possible foreign military sale sale to the UK. They would be converted to an RC-135 SIGINT configuration by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems in Greenville, Texas. Meanwhile, L-3 Communications UK told AIN that its design for the Helix electronic reconnaissance system was “platform agnostic” and suitable for carriage on whatever medium-size aircraft the MoD chooses. In theory, the system could be carried on the new MRA.4 version of the Nimrod that BAE Systems is building to replace the MR.2 for the RAF. But the option of developing an “R.5” version incorporating the Helix system does not appear to have received serious consideration, possibly because BAE Systems would charge too much to do the conversion.

Back

VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Loses Critical Support November 05, 2009 Not unlike the way the Philadelphia Phillies’ chances of winning this year’s World Series decreased substantially on Sunday when they lost game... [more]
Airbus A400M Makes Progress as Negotiations Continue October 26, 2009 Airbus Military is increasingly confident about the technical progress of the A400M airlifter, but has refused to comment on the difficult,... [more]
Euro Hawk Is Unveiled, But Latest Global Hawks Face Problems October 26, 2009 The first Euro Hawk UAV for the German Air Force (GAF) was unveiled last month at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, Calif. facility. It was apparent... [more]
VH-71 Presidential helicopter teeters on the edge September 28, 2009 The future of the VH-71 presidential helicopter program neared the wire last month as Congress worked to pass a final 2010 defense... [more]
BAE 146 Airliners To Meet Airlift Shortfall, Budget Crunch? September 15, 2009 With the delay to the A400M in mind, as well as tight defense budgets, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is marketing surplus BAe 146 airliners to... [more]