The Nimrod MR2 is a maritime patrol aircraft used primarily in the roles of maritime surface surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue. Carrying a crew of 13, the aircraft is fitted with radar, magnetic and acoustic detection equipment. The MR2 fleet, based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland, will be replaced by Nimrod 2000 in a refurbishment programme managed by British Aerospace. The refurbished aircraft, to be delivered between 2001 and 2006, will have new wings, BMW/Rolls Royce fuel efficient engines, modern control systems, 'glass' cockpit instrumentation, and a comprehensive suite of the latest sensor, computer and communications equipment. The Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft can also assist in search and rescue (SAR) operations by searching for survivors, giving guidance to rescue craft at the scene, and dropping survival equipment if needed

Powerplant: Four Rolls-Royce RB168-20 Spey 250 turbofans of 12,140lb st.

Span: 114ft 10in (35.00m)

Length: 126ft 9in (38.63m)

Max Speed: 575mph (926km/h)

Accommodation: Crew of 12

Armament: Internal bay for up to nine torpedoes, bombs and depth charges; Sidewinder AAMs can be carried on underwing pylons for self-defence.

Recognition: Resembles the DH Comet, from which it derived. Long 'double bubble' fuselage with the cockpit built into the steeply raked nose. The fuselage tailcone extends well beyond the fin and rudder to house a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) unit. The low-set wings are slightly swept on the forward edge. The four turbofans are buried in the inboard section of the wings. Bullet-shaped wing fairings project from the leading edges towards the wingtips. The Nimrod's fin, which has a large dorsal section extending well forward, is surmounted by an elliptical-shaped fairing. An in-flight refuelling probe projects from the fuselage above the cockpit.