Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the UK Armed Forces.

RAF Aircraft

A list including historical aircraft is at List of aircraft of the RAF.

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Many types of aircraft currently serve with the RAF, although there is less variety in the order of battle of the organisation than in previous decades due to the increasing cost of military systems.

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The types currently in the RAF inventory are listed below.

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The codes which suffix the each aircraft's name describe the role of the particular variant. For example, the Tornado F.3 is designated as a fighter by the 'F', and is the third variant of the type to be produced.

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Strike, Attack and Offensive Support Aircraft

The mainstay of what the RAF calls its Offensive Support fleet is the Tornado GR.4. 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 GR.7 & GR.7A and Jaguar GR.3 & GR.3A, which are used in the close air support role and to counter enemy air defences. The Harrier is in the process of being upgraded to GR.9 standard with newer systems and more powerful engines. The Jaguar is being withdrawn from service by 2008, to be replaced by the Typhoon.

Related Topics:
Tornado GR.4 - Storm Shadow - Harrier GR.7 & GR.7A - Jaguar GR.3 & GR.3A

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Air Defence and Airborne Early Warning Aircraft

The Tornado F.3 is the RAF's air defence fighter aircraft, based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Leeming to defend the UK’s airspace. The Sentry AEW.1 provides airborne 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 more agile Typhoon F.2.

Related Topics:
Tornado F.3 - RAF Leuchars - RAF Leeming - Sentry AEW.1 - Typhoon F.2

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Reconnaissance Aircraft

Variants of attack aircraft, the Jaguar GR.3/GR.3A and Tornado GR.4A are fitted with specialist reconnaissance pods and squadrons exist with both types in the reconnaissance role. The elderly Canberra PR.9 is also used in this role for its ability to fly at high altitude for long duration sorties. All three types are equipped with a range of cameras and sensors in the visual, infra-red and radar ranges of the spectrum. Providing electronic and signals intelligence are the Nimrod R.1 and the new Sentinel R.1.

Related Topics:
Jaguar GR.3/GR.3A - Tornado GR.4A - Canberra PR.9 - Nimrod R.1 - Sentinel R.1

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Maritime Patrol / Search and Rescue Aircraft

Three squadrons of helicopters exist with the primary role of rescuing aircrew who have ejected or crash-landed their aircraft. These are 22 Sqn and 202 Sqn with the Sea King HAR.3/HAR.3A in the UK and 84 Sqn with the Griffin HAR.2 in Cyprus. Although established in a military role, most of their operational missions are to rescue civilians from ships at sea, mountains and other locations.

Related Topics:
22 Sqn - 202 Sqn - Sea King HAR.3/HAR.3A - 84 Sqn - Cyprus

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The Nimrod MR.2 is also used in a search and rescue role, where its long range and extensive communications facilities allows it to co-ordinate rescues by acting as a link between rescue helicopters, ships and shore bases. It can also drop pods containing lift rafts and survival supplies to people in the sea. However, the primary role of the Nimrod is Maritime Patrol, specifically anti-submarine and surface ship warfare.

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Support Helicopters

An important part of the work of the RAF is to support the Army by ferrying troops and equipment to and across the battlefield. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command with Army and Navy aircraft. The large twin- rotor Chinook HC.2/HC.2A, based at RAF Odiham provides heavy lift and is supported by the smaller Merlin HC.3 and Puma HC.1, based at RAF Benson and RAF Aldergrove.

Related Topics:
Chinook HC.2/HC.2A - RAF Odiham - Merlin HC.3 - Puma HC.1 - RAF Benson - RAF Aldergrove

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Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling Aircraft

Formerly known as The Queen's Flight, 32 (The Royal) Squadron uses the BAe 125 CC.3, Squirrel HCC.1 and BAe 146 CC.2 in the VIP transport role, based at RAF Northolt in west London. More routine air transport tasks are carried out by the Tristars and VC10s based at RAF Brize Norton, both used to transport troops and cargo, and for air-to-air refuelling. Shorter range tactical 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 heavy airlift capability; it was announced in 2004 that these will be purchased, together with a further example, once the lease expires.

Related Topics:
32 (The Royal) Squadron - BAe 125 CC.3 - Squirrel HCC.1 - BAe 146 CC.2 - RAF Northolt - London - Tristar - VC10 - RAF Brize Norton - C-130 Hercules - C-17 Globemaster III - Boeing

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Training Aircraft

A wide range of aircraft types are used for training aircrew in their duties. At the more advanced stage in training, variants of front-line aircraft have been adapted for operational conversion of trained pilots, these include the Canberra T.4, Harrier T.10, Jaguar T.4 and Typhoon T.1. Advanced flying training for fast-jet, helicopter and multi-engine pilots is provided using the Hawk T.1, Griffin HT.1 and Super King Air T.1 respectively.

Related Topics:
Canberra T.4 - Harrier T.10 - Jaguar T.4 - Typhoon T.1 - Hawk T.1

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Basic pilot training is provided on the Tucano T.1 and Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1, while navigator training is in the Dominie T.1. Elementary flying training is conducted on either the Slingsby Firefly or Tutor T.1, depending on the new pilots route of entry to the service. The Tutor is also used, along with the Viking T.1 and Vigilant T.1 gliders, to provide air experience for Air Cadets.

Related Topics:
Tucano T.1 - Dominie T.1 - Tutor T.1 - Air Cadets

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Future aircraft

The aircraft operated by the RAF continue to be upgraded and improved throughout their service life. In addition, new aircraft to replace existing fleets or fill new roles come into service every so often.

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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. (Some of the C-130K fleet was replaced by 25 new C-130J Hercules in 1999, 5 C-17s will be retained).

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A new version of the Chinook, the HC.3, with improved avionics and increased range developed mainly for special forces missions.

Related Topics:
Chinook - HC.3

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Service entry delayed due to software problems and legal issues. 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.

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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.

Related Topics:
Airbus A330 MRTT - Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft - DC-10

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The Joint Combat Aircraft (the British designation for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter) will replace the Harrier GR.7 and GR.9.

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In the long term the Tornado GR.4 will be replaced by the Future Offensive Air System, although this project is at an early stage.

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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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