Future UK MPA/ASW aircraft

A new thread to gather thinking me thinks. Inspired by this Lockheed Martin promo video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjFijMCgh24&feature=g-u-u

What I found interesting was even before it was mentioned by the Lock-Mart rep I was thinking this could be a way back into a Long range MPA for the UK. With Globemaster, Atlas and Voyager being the future UK transport triad and the intended retirement of the Hercules from that role maybe this is an affordable way to get an MPA type. Once the new transport triad is fully stood up and the C-130J gets close to draw down identify lets say eight of the best airframes out of the lot plus three or four parts mules and convert them into SC-130J configuration. They could also recycle parts saved from the MRA4 program like the Radar, optics turret, mission system, ESM/ESW and MAD sensors etc… It has the advantage of the upfront cost of the aircraft paid for and support infrastructure already being in place for the basic type. I envisage some kind of joint operation with the pilots and ground personnel coming from the RAF C-130 community and the sensor operators coming from the Navy Merlin community.

I know Marshall’s of Cambridge offered something similar and I see them getting sub contract and conversion work but maybe this rather open ended solution from Lock-Mart is the cheapest way into a credible long range MPA and ASW type. We have the airframes and we have significant sensors in storage.

Or do people have other ideas…