List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

Tri-service badge of the United Kingdom's armed forces.

List of active United Kingdom military aircraft is a list of military aircraft currently in service with the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom. For RAF aircraft no longer in service see List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force. For aircraft expected to enter service with the RAF in the future, see Future of the Royal Air Force.

Royal Air Force

Main article: Royal Air Force
Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number[1][2][3] Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
Boeing E-3D Sentry  United States AEW&C aircraft AEW1 6 Airborne early warning and control aircraft. A seventh aircraft has been withdrawn from use.[4]
Raytheon Sentinel  Canada
 United States		 Battlefield surveillance aircraft R1 5 ISTAR aircraft. Will be retained until suitable replacement is found.[5] Will be kept in RAF service until at least 2018.[6]
Beechcraft Shadow  United States Battlefield surveillance aircraft R1 6[7] ISTAR aircraft.[8]
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II  United States Multirole fighter aircraft FGR1 4[9] 48 announced for carrier duties from 2016.[10] Decision on final orders to be made in 2015.[11] Aircraft jointly operated with the FAA.[12]
Eurofighter Typhoon  United Kingdom Multirole fighter aircraft T3
FGR4		 22
103[3][13]		 FGR4 variants will replace the Tornado fleet by 2019.[14]
Panavia Tornado  United Kingdom Strike aircraft GR4
GR4A		 98[15] The GR4A variant performs an additional reconnaissance role. The Tornado fleet will be retired in March 2019.[16]
Boeing RC-135W Airseeker  United States Signals intelligence aircraft R1 1 The first of three aircraft has been delivered in preparation for the UK aircraft entering operational service in late 2014[17] and will be flown by No. 51 Squadron RAF. The squadron is due to be fully operational by mid 2017.
Britten-Norman Islander  United Kingdom Surveillance aircraft CC2A 3 Used for photographic mapping and light communications.[18]
Airbus Voyager  France
 Spain		 Tanker & Transport aircraft KC2
KC3		 11[19] There are 2 KC2 and 6 KC3 aircraft plus three further currently unconverted planes. 3 more to be delivered by 2016 for a total of 14.[20] The aircraft are jointly operated by the RAF and the AirTanker consortium.
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III  United States Transport aircraft C-17A-ER 8 Operated by No. 99 Squadron.
Airbus A400M Atlas  Spain Transport aircraft C1 4[21] Total of 22 on order, deliveries started November 2014. A total of 7 aircraft are expected to have been delivered by the end of 2015.[21]
Lockheed C-130J Hercules  United States Transport aircraft C4
C5		 14
10		 The C4 (C-130J-30) is a stretched version of the C5 (C-130J), which adds 15 feet to the fuselage. Nine C-130J have been upgraded for extended range.[22] To be withdrawn from service by 2022, and replaced by 22 Airbus A400M Atlas.
BAe 146  United Kingdom Transport aircraft CC2
C3		 2
2		 The CC2 (-100 variant) is used predominantly for VIP transport and the C3 (-200QC variant) for tactical transport.[23] Operated by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron A Flight.
British Aerospace Hawk  United Kingdom Trainer aircraft T1
T2		 103[3]
28[1]		 Hawk T1 and T2 are used at RAF Valley for fast-jet training with No 208(R) and No 4(R) squadrons. Additionally, the Red Arrows use the T1 at RAF Scampton. The T1A is used for weapons and tactical training with No 208(R) Squadron at RAF Valley, and by No. 100 Squadron at RAF Leeming for advanced fast-jet weapons systems officer training and operational support flying.
Beechcraft Super King Air  United States Trainer aircraft B200
B200GT		 2
3		 Used as an advanced, multi-engine pilot trainer by No. 45(R) Squadron, which is part of No. 3 Flying Training School based at RAF Cranwell, in Lincolnshire. Contractor owned.
Short Tucano  United Kingdom Trainer aircraft T1 82[15] Operated primarily from No. 1 Flying Training School, at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, to provide basic fastjet flying training to RAF and RN student pilots and basic Weapon Systems Officer training. 43 of the airframes are in storage.[15]
Helicopters
Boeing Chinook  United States Transport helicopter HC3
HC4
HC6		 8[24]
38[15]
6[3]		 HC2/HC2As have been upgraded to HC4 standard.[15] The HC3s have yet to been upgraded to HC5 standard. A further 8 HC6 Chinooks are due to be delivered by December 2015.[24] A total of 60 Chinooks will be in service by early 2017.[25]
Westland Puma  United Kingdom Transport helicopter HC2 24[26] The last of the 24 HC2 helicopter has completed its conversion with the remaining 7 HC1s already having been removed from service in December 2012.[27][28] Two of the HC2s are currently with QinetiQ at Boscombe Down for flight trials of the enhanced variant.[28]
Agusta A109  Italy Transport helicopter A109E Power Elite 1[29] Used predominantly for VIP transport. Contractor owned. Operated by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron B Flight.
Bell Griffin  Canada Utility helicopter HAR2 4 Used at RAF Akrotiri for search and rescue duties and support of the UN in maintaining the Buffer Zone. Contracted from FB Heliservices.
Westland Sea King  United Kingdom Search and rescue helicopter HAR3
HAR3A		 21 To be withdrawn in March 2016 following the phased contracting out of search and rescue services to Bristow Helicopters between 2015-17.[30][31]
UAVs
MQ-9 Reaper  United States Battlefield surveillance aircraft 10 Predominantly employed as an ISTAR RPAS but is routinely equipped with Hellfire missiles and Paveway II laser-guided bombs, giving it a secondary hunter-killer role. Operated by 39 Sqn & XIII Sqn.[32]

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
Grob G115E Tutor  Germany Trainer aircraft T1 119 Used for Elementary Flying Training by the 14 University Air Squadrons and 12 Air Experience Flights in UK. It is also used by the Central Flying School and for elementary Weapons System Officer training at the RAF College Cranwell. Contractor owned.
Grob Vigilant  Germany Trainer aircraft T1 65 Used by the Air Cadet Organisation to give basic flying and gliding training to air cadets.
Grob Viking  Germany Trainer aircraft TX1 81 Used by the Air Cadet Organisation to give basic flying and gliding training to air cadets.

RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
Hawker Hurricane  United Kingdom Fighter aircraft Mk IIc 2
Supermarine Spitfire  United Kingdom Fighter aircraft Mk IIa
Mk Vb
LF.IXe
LF.XVIe
PR.XIX		 1
1
1
1
2
Avro Lancaster
PA474		  United Kingdom Heavy bomber aircraft B.I 1
Douglas Dakota  United States Transport aircraft C.3 1
De Havilland Canada Chipmunk  United Kingdom Trainer aircraft T.10 2

Fleet Air Arm

Main article: Fleet Air Arm
Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number[33][34] Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II  United States Multirole fighter aircraft FGR1 4 To be operated by 809 Naval Air Squadron "The Immortals". First squadron flights from HMS Queen Elizabeth expected during 2018. 48 aircraft initially ordered for carrier operation and will be jointly operated with the RAF.
British Aerospace Hawk  United Kingdom Trainer aircraft T1 17 Used for fast-jet training and target facilities as part of 736 Naval Air Squadron. Has been used for short range reconnaissance.
Beechcraft Avenger  United States Trainer aircraft T1 4 Contractor owned and operated by 750 Naval Air Squadron for observer training.
Grob G115E Tutor  Germany Trainer aircraft T1 5 The Grob Tutor is operated by 727 Naval Air Squadron and is used for Air Experience Flights. Contractor owned.
Helicopters
Westland Lynx  United Kingdom Battlefield helicopter
Naval helicopter (ASW/ASuW)		 AH7
HMA8		 4[35]
28[3]		 To be replaced by the Wildcat starting 2015.
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat  United Kingdom Battlefield helicopter
Naval helicopter (ASW/ASuW)		 AH1
HMA2		 4[36]
13[3]		 The four AH.1 aircraft will be operated by 847 NAS as part of the Commando Helicopter Force.
A total of 28 HMA2 aircraft have been ordered with all deliveries due to be complete by January 2015.[37]
EH Industries EH101 Merlin  United Kingdom Naval helicopter (ASW)
Transport helicopter		 HM2
HC3/HC3A		 30[3]
27[3]		 Option exists to upgrade remaining eight HM1 to HM2 standard.[38] HC3/HC3A's officially handed over to the Fleet Air Arm.[39] First HC3/HC3A to undergo the marinisation upgrade to HC4/HC4A starting 2017, entire fleet complete by 2022.[40]
Westland Sea King  United Kingdom Transport helicopter
Search & Rescue
AEW&C		 HC4
HU5
ASaC7		 12[3]
12[3]
11[3]		 All Sea Kings have an out of service date of 31 March 2016.[30] HC4's to be replaced by upgraded Merlin HC4/HC4A's. HU5's to replaced by a PFI with Bristow Helicopters.[31] ASaC7 capability to be replaced by Merlin HM'2 equipped with Crowsnest AEW&C.[41] Seven ASAC7's will remain in service until 2018.[42]
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II  France Transport helicopter 2[43] Used in Flag Officer Sea Training to ferry instructors to vessels with minimal delay during periods of intense training.
UAVs
Boeing Insitu ScanEagle  United States Surveillance UAV 3[44] Procured as part of a Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) that runs out in 2017,[45] the vehicle is used predominantly on Type 23 frigates and RFA vessels.[46][47]

Royal Navy Historic Flight

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
Hawker Sea Hawk  United Kingdom Fighter bomber aircraft FGA6 1
De Havilland Sea Vixen  United Kingdom Fighter bomber aircraft D.3 1
Hawker Sea Fury  United Kingdom Fighter bomber aircraft FB11 1
Fairey Swordfish  United Kingdom Torpedo bomber aircraft Mk.I/II 2
De Havilland Canada Chipmunk  United Kingdom Trainer aircraft T10 1

Army Air Corps

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number[33][34] Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
Britten-Norman Islander  United Kingdom Command and control AL1 9[3] Light aircraft used for airborne reconnaissance, command and communications, also has a limited use in transporting personnel. It has a range of 380 nautical miles and can carry two crew and six passengers.[48]
Britten-Norman Defender  United Kingdom Command and control AL2
T3		 9[3] Light aircraft used for airborne reconnaissance, command and communications. It has a range of 380 nautical miles and can carry two crew and six passengers. Also has a limited use in transporting personnel.
Helicopters
Westland Apache  United States
 United Kingdom		 Attack helicopter AH1 50[49] 16 of the Armys 66 Apache helicopters have been mothballed, leaving 50 in operational service.[49]
Westland Lynx  United Kingdom Battlefield helicopter AH7
AH9A		 18[3]
21[3]		 The AH7 aircraft are due to be replaced in 2015 by 34 Wildcat, the AH9A were upgraded to have the same engine as the Wildcat for increased 'hot and heavy' performance and part commonality.[50]
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat  United Kingdom Battlefield helicopter AH1 21[51] A total of 34 aircraft have been ordered, 4 in the LAH configuration to be operated by the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing. The Wildcat will enter operational service in 2014[37]
Bell 212  United States Battlefield helicopter AH1 8 Used in the jungle areas of Belize and Brunei.
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II  France Special forces 5 The Eurocopter Dauphin is used by No. 658 Squadron AAC in support of the United Kingdom Special Forces attached to the SAS.[52]
Westland Gazelle  United Kingdom Reconnaissance helicopter AH1 34[3] The MOD has launched a process to extend the planned Out of Service Date to 31 March 2018.
UAVs
Thales Watchkeeper WK450  United Kingdom Battlefield surveillance aircraft 30 ISTAR UAV.[53] A total of 30 air vehicles and 14 ground systems have already been produced with an additional 24 air vehicles and one ground system to be delivered.[54][55] Operated by 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery.

Defence Helicopter Flying School

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number Note
Helicopters
Bell Griffin  Canada Training helicopter HT1 11 Contractor owned.
Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel  France Training helicopter HT1 34[56] Contractor owned.

Empire Test Pilots' School

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
JAS 39B Gripen  Sweden Multirole fighter aircraft 1[57] Leased from SAAB Aviation AB.
Avro RJ  United Kingdom Jet airliner RJ70
RJ100 		1[57]
1[57]
Beagle Bassett  United Kingdom Experimental aircraft CC1 1[58] Variable Stability System.
British Aerospace Hawk  United Kingdom Trainer aircraft
Experimental aircraft 		T1
ASTRA 		2
1[57]
Advanced Stability Training and Research Aircraft.
Short Tucano  United Kingdom Trainer aircraft T1 2
Helicopters
Agusta A109  Italy Military helicopter A109E Power 2[57]
Westland Gazelle  United Kingdom Military helicopter HT2
HT3 		1
1[59]
Westland Lynx  United Kingdom Military helicopter AH7 1[60]

Ministry of Defence

As well as the military services a number of defence contractors operate military aircraft on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number Note
Fixed-wing aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon  United Kingdom Fighter aircraft 2 BAE Systems, Warton for trials and development.
Panavia Tornado  United Kingdom Strike aircraft GR4A
GR4 		1
1 		BAE Systems, Warton for trials and development.
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet  Germany Trainer aircraft 4 QinetiQ, Boscombe Down.
Gloster Meteor  United Kingdom Fighter aircraft T.7 (Mod) 2 Martin Baker Aerospace, Chalgrove for ejector seat trials.
Hawker Hunter  United Kingdom Fighter aircraft F58
T8B		 2
1		 Hawker Hunter Aviation, used as airborne targets for naval trails and exercises.
North American Harvard  Canada Trainer aircraft 1 QinetiQ, Boscombe Down for trials and photographic chase aircraft, active in military service since 1944.
Helicopters
Agusta AW109  Italy Military helicopter AW109E 1 QinetiQ Boscombe Down.
Westland Sea King  United Kingdom Military helicopter Mk 4X 1 QinetiQ, Boscombe Down.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 House of Commons Hansard Written Answers (publications.parliament.uk) 17 July 2013
  2. ↑ House of Commons Hansard Written Answers (publications.parliament.uk) 17 Mar 2014
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 House of Commons Hansard Written Answers (publications.parliament.uk) 15 December 2014
  4. ↑ "Out of Service British Military Aircraft". Demobbed. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  5. ↑ "Sentinel R1/ASTOR". RAF. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  6. ↑ "Farnborough 2014: UK announces GBP1.1 billion in defence projects". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  7. ↑ House of Commons Hansard Written Answers (publications.parliament.uk) 4 July 2013
  8. ↑ "Raytheon touts future roles for RAF's at-risk Sentinel R1". Flightglobal.com. 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  9. ↑ Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft:Written question - HL2709, (parliament.uk), 6 November 2014
  10. ↑ "UK set to procure first F-35 Lightning II squadron". Janes.com. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  11. ↑ Brooke-Holland, Louisa (12 April 2013). "The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - Commons Library Standard Note". Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  12. ↑ Farmer, Ben. "Dambusters to get new F-35 Lightning II fighter". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  13. ↑ "Manufacturing Fault Suspends Typhoon Deliveries to Germany, Italy, Spain". Defense News. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  14. ↑ MoD to speed up Typhoon upgrade for Iraq campaign "The MoD announced earlier this year it planned to fit the missiles to Typhoons by 2019 so they can take over the Tornados ground attack duties when the jets retire that year.", Telegraph. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Military Aircraft:Written question - 225369 (House of Commons Hansard), parliament.uk, 25 February 2015
  16. ↑ "Tornado GR4 upgrade" 16 July 2014
  17. ↑ Ministry of Defence and Defence Equipment and Support (2013-11-12). "First Rivet Joint aircraft delivered to the UK - News stories". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  18. ↑ "Islander BN2T CC Mk2". RAF. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  19. ↑ "Airbus Defence & Space UK - ATLAS MONTHLY" (PDF). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  20. ↑ "Voyager fuel costs, A400M levy top UK MoD overspend". Flightglobal.com. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 A400M Atlas delivers the goods for RAF, flightglobal.com, 16 March 2015
  22. ↑ RAF Hercules get extended range upgrade
  23. ↑ BAe 146s enter conversion for Royal Air Force, flightglobal.com, 18 Jun 2012
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 First Chinook HC.6 helos for RAF arrive in the UK, janes.com, 14 January 2014
  25. ↑ "South Coast jobs boost with £420m defence contract". Ministry of Defence. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "Login - AirForces Daily". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  27. ↑ Puma HC2 Training Continues With Qinetiq, airforcesdaily.com, 2013
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Training Now Underway On Upgraded RAF Puma HC2s, airforcesdaily.com, 2013
  29. ↑ Life in 'The Royal' Squadron, gov.uk, 10 June 2013
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 UK MoD issues Sea King helicopter support contract, shephardmedia.com, 28 December 2012
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Britain’s Next Search-and-Rescue Helicopters: Civilian Contractors, defenseindustrydaily.com, 24 July 2013
  32. ↑ UK cheers the Reaper UAV, flightglobal.com, 16 Jun 2008
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 02 Nov 2011 (pt 0002)". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 31 Jan 2012 (pt 0002)". Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  35. ↑ Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm - 847 Naval Air Squadron - Individual Aircraft, touchdown-aviation.com
  36. ↑ "Future Aircraft in Fleet Air Arm". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 UK Royal Navy primed to receive first Lynx Wildcat, flightglobal.com, 12 Dec 2012
  38. ↑ Britain’s AW101 Merlin Helicopters: Upgrading the Fleet, defenseindustrydaily.com, 19 October 2014
  39. ↑ Royal Air Force Hand Over Merlin To Royal Navy, raf.mod.uk, 1 October 2014
  40. ↑ Royal Navy Continues Preparations For Ex-RAF Merlins, airforcesdaily.com, 2014
  41. ↑ "Crowsnest AEW project to costup to 500mn". Flightglobal.com. 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  42. ↑ "UK extends Sea King ASaC.7 life out to 2018". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  43. ↑ Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm - SA365 Dauphin - Individual Aircraft, touchdown-aviation.com
  44. ↑ X-men take to the Cornish skies, Royal Navy, 25 November 2014
  45. ↑ Think Defence. "Royal Navy Scan Eagle Contract Extension". Think Defence. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  46. ↑ Royal Navy gets Eagle eyes in £30m deal for unmanned planes, royalnavy.mod.uk, 20/06/2013
  47. ↑ "Royal Navy ready to launch ScanEagle operations", flightglobal.com, 16 January 2014
  48. ↑ "Defender – British Army Website". Army.mod.uk. 1989-03-10. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 UK mothballs quarter of Apache fleet with end of Afghan ops, janes.com, 19 March 2015
  50. ↑ "Lynx AH9A Upgrade Program and Lynx Wildcat « Fast Air Photography". Fast-air.co.uk. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  51. ↑ "AgustaWestland funded for FASGW integration on Wildcat". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  52. ↑ Tim Ripley (10 December 2008). "UK Army Air Corps received Dauphins". Janes Defence Weekly, Vol. 45, Issue 50: 10.
  53. ↑ "UK's Watchkeeper UAV inches towards release to service". www.janes.com. IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  54. ↑ British Watchkeeper UAV Finally Cleared to Enter Military Service, 5 March 2014
  55. ↑ "UK's Watchkeeper Fleet To Be Completed by End of Year". Defense News. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  56. ↑ "UK selects Affinity to conduct fixed-wing training under UKMFTS". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 57.4 Empire Test Pilots' School - Our Fleet and Facilities, etps.qinetiq.com
  58. ↑ Royal Air Force - Bassett CC2, touchdown-aviation.com
  59. ↑ Royal Air Force - Gazelle, touchdown-aviation.com
  60. ↑ Royal Air Force - Lynx, touchdown-aviation.com

External links