NATO Maritime Operations Working Group
It has been decided by a group of our member states that we are to seek a Request for Proposals relating to a new class of littoral maritime patrol aircraft. This aircraft must be capable of operating for two hours on station when 250nm from its base and be equipped to take on both Diesel-Electric Submarines and also small surface craft. The primary operating locations for this aircraft have been deemed to be similar to the Baltic, Mediterranean and Persian Gulf areas and therefore this aircraft is not intended to be a replacement for existing Blue-Water Maritime Patrol Aircraft such as the Nimrod or P-3.
Therefore, the member states have asked that prospective entrants consider the following:
- Short Take Off and Landing performance
- Ability to accurately track submarines whilst submerged
- A mix of both depth bombs and Anti-shipping missiles
- Ability to carry 2 Short-Range Air to Air Missiles for self defence
- Use of off the shelf components in order to minimise costs (although this should not detract from advanced entries to the competition)
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YSFlight Related Things
- The entry should conform with Birdfarm guidelines as per the previous contest
- Either sonobuoy deployment or an advanced sonar usage
- The modding of the weapons is not required and we hope to have some weapons capable to be added to the aircraft to simulate the asthetic
- Proposals should be submitted no later than 31/12/2017 with a flyable model no later than 14/02/2018 (All Dates are World Format not US)
- The initial proposal should consist of a three view of the aircraft alongside some basic facts about the aircraft and the flyable model should be accompanied by a blurb regarding the aircraft and its development.
- Points will be awarded for more detailed proposals and although the detail will not be a large factor it will never the less be considered when the decision is made.