our Fokker 50 MPA is what it is - a Maritime Patrol Aircraft,
not a dedicated ASW patrol plane like a P-3 Orion. it has search
radar and an IR/optronics suite, which are intended for surface
targets like ships. it was not intended for sub-hunting, and the
fact it can detect periscopes is secondary to its primary mission
against surface ships.
therefore, MPA has no sonobuoys or MAD or torpedo capability that
appear on ASW craft like the orions.
in contrast our Seahawks are dedicated ASW craft, and have all the
modern ASW equipment - sonobuoys, search radar, optronics suite,
dipping sonar, torpedoes, datalink to mother ship etc.
it is interesting to note that our Seahawks are souped-up SH-60R
variants - the very top of the line. they'll actually be even more
capable than USN Seahawks.
