BAE SYSTEMS Nimrod MRA4
In 1996 BAE SYSTEMS was awarded the contract for 21 Nimrod MRA4 aircraft (Initially called Nimrod 2000). Essentially, this consisted of using refurbished existing MR2 fuselages and outer wings with a new modern design deeper wing centre section in order to facilitate the Rolls Royce BR710 Engines.
Initially, FR Aviation at Hurn were tasked to refurbish the fuselages to provide a further 25-years of operational life. Four fuselages were stripped and airlifted from RAF Kinloss to Hurn. However, in 1999 these four fuselages and the FR Aviation task was transferred to Woodford.
(Bottom Left 4Nr Colour Photographs) - Nimrod MR2 fuselages arrive at Woodford for MRA4 Conversion.
(Top Right 2Nr Colour Photographs) - Nimrod MR2 Fuselages leave Kinloss for Hurn.
MR2 A/c MRA4Set NÂș Woodford ArrivalMRA4 Reg*
XV247 PAO1 Air Shipped 23/11/1999 ZJ516
XV234 PA02 Air Shipped 06/12/1999 ZJ518
XV242 PA03 Air Shipped 15/12/1999 ZJ517
XV251 PA04 Air Shipped 06/04/2000 ZJ514
XV258 PA05 Flown in 08/11/1999 ZJ515
XV284 PA06 Flown in 31/05/2000 ZJ519
XV233 PA07 Flown in 11/09/2000 ZJ520
XV253 PA08 Air Shipped 21/10/2001ZJ520 Fuselage Not Used
XV227 PA08 Flown in 11/09/2000 ZJ521
XV245 PA09 Flown in 27/04/2005 ZJ522
XV228 PA10 Flown in 03/11/2005 ZJ523
XV243 PA11 Flown in 27/04/2006 ZJ524
XV246 PA12 Air Shipped 19/12/2007 ZJ525
The Nimrod MRA4 Project and Design Authority Management was based at Warton.