Portal:Royal Air Force/Aircraft
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Aircraft This page only shows some aircraft. To see them all, follow the link below. The code which follows each aircraft's name describes the role of the variant. For example, the Tornado F3 is designated as a fighter by the 'F', and is the third variant of the type to be produced. The mainstay of the Offensive Support fleet is the Tornado GR4. This supersonic aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs and the ALARM anti-radar missile. The Tornado is supplemented by the Harrier GR7 & GR7A and Jaguar GR3 & GR3A, which are used in the strike and close air support roles, and to counter enemy air defences. The Harrier is being upgraded to GR9 standard with newer systems and more powerful engines. The Harrier GR9 was formally accepted into RAF service in late September 2006.
 The Tornado F3 is the RAF's air defence fighter aircraft, based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Leeming to defend the UK’s airspace. The Sentry AEW1 provides airborne early warning radar to detect incoming enemy aircraft and to co-ordinate the aerial battlefield. Both the Sentry and the F.3 have been involved in recent operations including over Iraq and the Balkans. The Tornado, in service in the air defence role since the late 1980s, is due to be replaced by the state-of-the-art, Typhoon F2 which is based at RAF Coningsby.The UK's second operational Typhoon unit,11 Sq,reformed on 29/March/07,joining 3 Sq, also based at RAF Coningsby.
Variants of attack aircraft, the Jaguar GR3/GR3A and Tornado GR4A are fitted with specialist reconnaissance pods and squadrons exist with both types in the reconnaissance role. All three types are/were equipped with a range of cameras and sensors in the visual, infra-red and radar ranges of the spectrum. Providing electronic and signals intelligence is the Nimrod R1. The new Sentinel R1 provides an ASTOR ground radar-surveillance platform based on the Bombardier Global Express long range business jet. Also used in a classified surveillance role, is a pair of Britten-Norman Islander CC2 aircraft. They form the Station Flight of RAF Northolt in London. A pair of MQ-9 Reaper have been purchased to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are operated by No. 39 Squadron RAF
Three squadrons of helicopters exist with the primary role of military search and rescue; the rescuing of aircrew who have ejected or crash-landed their aircraft. These are 22 Sqn and 202 Sqn with the Sea King HAR.3/HAR3A in the UK and 84 Sqn with the Griffin HAR2 in Cyprus. Although established with a primary role of military search and rescue, most of their operational missions are spent in their secondary role of conducting civil search and rescue; that is, the rescue of civilians from at sea, on mountains and other locations. Both rescue roles are shared with the Sea King helicopters of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, while the civil search and rescue role is also shared with the helicopters of HM Coastguard. The related Royal Air Force Mountan Rescue Service comprises four teams of trained mountaineers stationed in the mainland United Kingdom, first established 1943. The Operational Conversion Unit is 203(Reserve) Sqn RAF based at RAF St. Mawgan, equipped with the Sea King HAR3. The Nimrod MR2's primary role is that of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Unit Warfare (ASUW). The Nimrod MR2 is additionally used in a Search and Rescue (SAR) role, where its long-range and extensive communications facilities allow it to co-ordinate rescues by acting as a link between rescue helicopters, ships and shore bases. It can also drop pods containing life rafts and survival supplies to people in the sea.The MR2 will be replaced by 12 Nimrod MRA4 aircraft in the future.
An important part of the work of the RAF is to support the British Army and Royal Marines by ferrying troops and equipment at the battlefield. However, RAF helicopters are also used in a variety of other roles, including support of RAF ground units. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), along with helicopters of the British Army and Royal Navy. The large twin-rotor Chinook HC2/HC2A, based at RAF Odiham provides heavy-lift support and is supported by Merlin HC3 and the smaller Puma HC1 medium-lift helicopters, based at RAF Benson and RAF Aldergrove. It was announced in March 2007 that the RAF will take delivery of six additonal Merlins. The aircraft were originally ordered by Denmark, six new aircraft will be built for Denmark. Also announced that eight Chinook HC3s, that are in storage, will be modifed for the battlefield support role. 
More routine air transport tasks are carried out by the Tristars and VC10s based at RAF Brize Norton, both used to transport passengers and cargo, and for air-to-air refuelling of other aircraft. Shorter-range tactical-airlift transport is provided by the C-130 Hercules, the fleet including both older K-model and new J-model aircraft. The RAF has leased 4 C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Boeing to provide a strategic airlift capability; it was announced in 2004 that these will be purchased, together with a further example, .The fifth C-17 is due to be delivered in 2008. The MOD has expressed a wish to buy a further 3 C-17s, which could be delivered before mid-2009,when the C-17 production line may be closed.This would leave the RAF with a total of 8 C-17 aircraft,providing a significantly enhanced strategic airlift. Aircraft in development, or soon to be deployed, include the Airbus A400M, of which 25 are to be used to replace the remaining Hercules C-130Ks. A new version of the Chinook, the HC3, with improved avionics and increased range, was developed mainly for special forces missions. Service entry has been delayed due to software problems and legal issues.In late Mar/07,the MOD confirmed the intention of making the 8 HC 3,Chinook,aircraft operational. The Eurofighter Typhoon is entering service and the RAF will be the largest operator of the type.
The Typhoon will replace the Tornado F3 interceptor and the Jaguar GR3A ground attack aircraft by 2010. The Hawk 128 will replace the existing Hawks in service; the newer model being more similar in equipment and performance to modern front line aircraft. The ageing aerial refuelling fleet of VC10s and Tristars should be replaced with the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme. Problems with contract negotiations have led to unsolicited proposals for the conversion of civil Tristars or DC-10s. The Joint Combat Aircraft (the British designation for the F-35 Lightning II) will replace the Harrier GR7 and GR9. Studies have begun regarding the long term replacement for the Tornado GR4 (Although the Future Offensive Air System project was cancelled in 2005). The RAF transport helicopter force, the Puma and Sea Kings, are to be replaced by the Support Amphibious and Battlefield Rotorcraft (SABR) project, likely a mix of Merlins and Chinooks. |
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