Auroras won�t fly over Afghanistan

but that is why you but kit, to use it. Unfortunately we don't have enough different aircraft to provide a full spectrum capability, which is why we are constantly refitting our kit to suit current needs.

If they wear out, buy new kit, or in this case they could upgrade the other 8 they chose not to upgrade beforehand.

Ohwell. Anyone know if the UAvs actually provide the equivilent surveillance capability?

Sound like the half dozen MacKay decided not to upgrade last year would come in handy right now. Let's just hope those Huron drones can offer similar capabilities.

I'm still unclear how well a maritime patrol aircraft is going to perform this task. If all we want is airborn FLIR, the drones are cheaper and more cost effective.

The maritime planes use their downward looking radar to identify targets, much in the same way the USAF uses JSTARS to track ground targets (in a similar fashion to how AWACS track airborne targets).

The Brits were using Nimrods to perform similar duties when they deployed in 2001 but I don't know if they still are, especially after they lost one a couple of years ago to a Taliban SAM.