Anyway... sorry for the rant. It's a disappointing day ... with no way back. Time to drop the subject and morn their passing into history, to join the Harriers, Buccs, Vulcans, Victors, Canberras and Lightnings.
There isn't going to be a replacement for astor. The ground segment stays but the airborne segment is gone for good. And contrary to the prees the nimrod wasn't going to be patrolling over london during the olympics anyway. Plus the E3 has a maritime surveillance componenet anyhow.
