Replacement for the Dassault Atlantique ATL2

[McColm]

The French Navy are looking for a replacement for it's 18 Dassault Atlanique ATL2. The two proposals so far are based on the A321 and the Falcon 10 bizjet.

There have been proposals for a ATL3, along the lines 'if it ain't broke don't fix it ' just update the engines and avionics.
Personally a four engined version but with new technology two engines even if the wings were swept for the inclusion of a pair of turbofans.
I have built a turbofan version based on the 1/72 Mach2 Breguet Br.1150 kit, parts from the Revell kit aren't compatible, their latest one based on the Italian Eagle. Just new decals and  updated colour instructions. There's a ATL2 update set but most likely a scratch built or improvements can be made with less cost.

If I can get hold of the Airfix BAe Nimrod MR.2 kit this would look good in French decals .
The Mach2 Caravelle which I have in the past tried to kitbash into a maritime surveillance patrol aircraft changing the engines and landing gear. Needs another attempt.
There are several smaller scale options.

Other suggestions have been a maritime version of the C-160 and the Airbus A400M Atlas. Smaller cargo/passenger aircraft either turboprops or turbofans.
The whatif ideas or could have been are endless.

[Scotaidh]

I like the Caravelle idea.  I have one in the SSR (Strategic Styrene Reserve) that I'd planned to make into an eye-in-the-sky AEW, possibly in the the Nimrod AEW style (which I think looks much cooler than the AWACS).

[Beermonster58]

It was announced a few days ago that the A321 had been chosen as the replacement for the Breguet Atlantic.
Makes the choice easier as, I'd already obtained the excellent Zvezda 1/144 A321 for an MPA project.

[McColm]

In the whiffing world I would have liked to see the Airbus Nimrod in French decals which could be a future project for 2025.