All UK Royal Air Force articles – Page 6

  • F-35B first mission - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURES: UK F-35s make operational debut

    2019-06-27T09:56:17Z

    ​The UK gave an operational debut to its Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning force in mid-June, with the fifth-generation type having flown missions over Iraq and Syria alongside Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons.

  • Tempest - BAE Systems
    News

    UK to pursue new partnership model for Tempest collaboration

    2019-06-12T16:21:35Z

    The UK wants to adopt a new partnership arrangement with international participants in its Tempest next-generation combat aircraft programme, in an effort to avoid the rigid workshare model employed during previous joint efforts.

  • News

    Lack of situational awareness blamed for RAF C-130J write-off

    2019-05-22T12:00:55Z

    ​UK military investigators have attributed a 2017 incident, in which a Lockheed Martin C-130J operated by the Royal Air Force’s 47 Sqn was written off, to the flightcrew’s lack of situational awareness as they attempted to land on a temporary strip in darkness.

  • P-8A - US Navy
    News

    CAE to supply UK with second P-8A simulator

    2019-05-14T11:09:35Z

    The UK has awarded CAE a contract to produce a second operational flight trainer (OFT) for its future fleet of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, with the device to follow another already ordered for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

  • News

    RAF to get second-hand jets as part of Wedgetail buy

    2019-05-13T14:55:15Z

    ​Two of the UK’s five on-order Boeing E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft will be converted commercial airliners, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

  • RAF P-8 - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURE: UK's first Poseidon takes shape in Renton

    2019-05-08T09:49:25Z

    ​Boeing has mated the wing and fuselage of the UK’s first 737NG-based P-8A Poseidon, as the Royal Air Force advances preparations to restore its lapsed maritime patrol aircraft capability.

  • Opinion

    E-7 purchase is good news for UK

    2019-03-29T12:09:00Z

    Confirming one of the worst-kept ­secrets in UK defence procurement, late March’s £1.5 billion ($1.96 billion) order for five Boeing 737NG-based E-7 airborne early warning and control system aircraft was nevertheless a welcome development for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

  • News

    Brimstone 3 test success fires MBDA ambitions

    2019-03-26T11:12:46Z

    ​The latest iteration of MBDA's combat-proven Brimstone precision-strike weapon has undergone a successful first test firing. Conducted at the Vidsel range in Sweden, the telemetry unit-equipped Brimstone 3 was deployed from a surface launcher against a pick-up truck target.

  • E-7 - Commonwealth of Australia
    News

    UK signs E-7 airborne early warning contract

    2019-03-22T16:00:48Z

    ​The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed plans to acquire five Boeing 737-based E-7 airborne early warning and control system aircraft, with the platforms to be modified by Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group.

  • F-35B ASRAAM
    News

    Meteor, Spear additions to give UK F-35s added punch

    2019-03-21T14:50:24Z

    Weapons integration activities on the Lockheed Martin F-35B are to be expanded for the UK, with the pending addition of MBDA's Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and in-development Spear ground-attack system.

  • Opinion

    OPINION: Bidding a fond farewell to RAF's mighty Tonka

    2019-03-08T15:50:27Z

    ​Out with the old, as the saying goes. This week, we mark the Royal Air Force’s retirement of its last Tornado strike aircraft, a half-century after it was conceived by the three-nation Panavia consortium, and 40 years after it entered UK service.

  • RAF Tornados - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURES: Diamond nine formation marks end for RAF Tornados

    2019-03-04T15:57:43Z

    ​The UK Royal Air Force has drawn to a close 40 years of service by its Panavia Tornado strike aircraft, with a final formation flight involving nine GR4-model examples conducted from the service's Marham base in Norfolk on 28 February.

  • Tornado GR4 - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURES: RAF Tornados complete operational duties

    2019-02-06T13:55:14Z

    ​Deployed operations with the UK's Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft have come to an end, with its last examples having returned to the Royal Air Force's Marham base in Norfolk.

  • News

    UK military studies high-speed helicopter benefits

    2019-02-05T18:11:19Z

    The UK Ministry of Defence intends to complete a study later this year that will determine the future requirements for its medium- and heavy-lift helicopter fleets, opening up the possibility of an acquisition of high-speed designs.

  • Tornado GR4 trio - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURES: RAF Tornados poised for operational end

    2019-01-28T17:26:50Z

    ​The UK Royal Air Force is within days of completing its last combat deployment involving the Panavia Tornado GR4, as preparations gather pace for the ground-attack stalwart's formal retirement by 31 March.

  • 617 Sqn F-35B - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURE: UK F-35s, Typhoon update hit operational milestones

    2019-01-10T16:14:38Z

    ​The UK has met its initial operational capability target for the Lockheed Martin F-35B, with nine examples assigned to the Royal Air Force's 617 Sqn now deemed "ready to be deployed on operations around the world".

  • RAF Shadow R1 - Peter Foster
    News

    Raytheon UK awarded 11-year Shadow support contract

    2019-01-07T15:24:03Z

    Raytheon UK has been awarded a £250 million ($315 million) contract to support operations with the Royal Air Force's Beechcraft King Air 350CER-derived Shadow R1 surveillance fleet until 2030.

  • Typhoon with Meteor - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURE: RAF Typhoon makes air-defence debut with Meteor missile

    2018-12-11T16:42:38Z

    ​UK Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons have begun flying quick reaction alert sorties armed with MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, the Ministry of Defence confirms.

  • RAF T-6C - Iain Mackenzie
    News

    PICTURE: T-6C arrival completes UK trainer fleet renewal

    2018-12-05T11:38:16Z

    ​A key milestone in the UK Military Flying Training System programme was met on 3 December, with the early arrival of the last of 38 fixed-wing aircraft acquired via Elbit Systems UK/KBR joint-venture Affinity Flying Training Services.

  • UK F-35B Marham - Crown Copyright
    News

    UK confirms new deal for 17 F-35Bs

    2018-11-15T17:58:10Z

    The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered its next 17 Lockheed Martin F-35Bs, as part of a 255-unit, multinational framework agreement announced by the US Department of Defense.