US Multirole Maritime Aircraft

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 26-04-02 AT 12:19 PM (GMT)]Gents,

Have recently heard of a rumour, originated by Flight International, that Nimrod MRA.4 is being seriously considered for the USN’s MMA requirement. Apparently this is something of a quid pro quo on the lines of a “thankyou” to Blair from President Bush for services rendered.

The MRA4 did involve an almost complete rebuild of the RAF’s extant MR.2 fleet to the extent that, I’ve read, the only original part left remaining was the main fuselage centrebody section. The facilities therefore exist, in the main, to build new Nimrods from scratch. A large order is therefore viable from BAE’s standpoint and would be quite a painless off-the-shelf purchase for the US compared against developing something, of equivalent capability, from a 737 or 767 airframe.

Has anyone heard any corroborating evidence to this rumour and do you think this would be a good purchase for the US?.