September 26, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

BritainŐs Nimrods join hunt for bin Laden

LONDON, September 20, Graphic News: A small but important contribution that the United Kingdom and the Royal Air Force will make to the hunt for alleged terrorist Osama bin laden, and his al-Qaeda group in Afghanistan, is the Nimrod R Mk1. Number 51 Squadron based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire operate the aircraft.

Nimrod aircraft first entered service with the RAF in 1969. The Nimrod, which was developed from the Comet civil airliner, has become famous for its role in support of many air-sea rescue operations, but, less well known is the conversion of three aircraft for electronic reconnaissance. The anti-submarine warfare equipment and armaments of the maritime version were replaced with a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems used for reconnaissance and the gathering of electronic intelligence (ELINT).

ELINT radomes are located at the tip of the tanks on the leading edge of the wings, numerous antennas are mounted above and below the fuselage, and additional sensors are housed in a sealed weapons bay beneath the fuselage. Standard electronic support measures (ESM) equipment is mounted on the tail fin and at the wing tips.

The aircraft and a crew of twelve -- which include Arabic and Pushtu-speaking intelligence officers -- will examine radio emissions and radar reflections, and provide electronic support to military commanders seeking to locate members of bin LadenŐs terrorist group operating in Afghanistan.
/ENDS
Sources: Ken Petrie, IISS