AVRO 696 Shackleton 2

Apart from surface detection, the "sniffing" gear carried on-board the Shackleton meant they were able to detect submarine exhaust emissions at great distances. When submerged and using the underwater submarine breathing apparatus, the necessary mast (snorkel), which projected above the surface, was capable of being detected at ranges of up to 36 miles.

Shackletons regularly shadowed the Russian Spy Trawlers that were ever present around the UK coasts. The job of the Trawler was to attempt to pick up military radio transmissions and any other intelligence which may be considered of use.

Once found by a Shackleton, which could patrol for up to 18 hours, a NATO surface ship could be vectored onto the intruder to deter further incursion, particularly when in UK coastal territorial waters.

The most sophisticated radars and weaponry to deal with these threats was regularly updated in the various marks. Avro, through Chadwick, had again provided the answers to the threats against the U.K. as they had with the Lancaster in WW 11. Came the need, came the aeroplane.

The M.R.I radome positioned under the chin of the aircraft was prone to damage from "bird strike". Avro solved the radar restrictions and the damage problems with a centrally located retractable Radome. This provided a 360 degree sweep instead of the limited forward arc and it turned the Shackleton into a flying radar station; this modification was incorporated in the Mark 2, forerunner of the present day AWACS aircraft. This was particularly useful if they encountered "hostile" aircraft. Interceptors could be sent by land based controllers to locate, confirm and deter the aircraft.

(Monochrome Photograph showing - Shackleton MR.2 in foreground in formation with an MR.1 Showing the new nose profile and the radar amidships on the MR.2.)