All UK Royal Air Force articles – Page 6

  • 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.

  • Protector 31 Sqn - Mark Kwiatkowski/FlightGlobal
    News

    UK watchdog concerned by defence funding shortfall

    2018-11-08T11:59:33Z

    ​The UK Ministry of Defence is making some progress with improving its financial planning around major projects, but the budget for its current equipment plan falls short of expected requirements by around £7 billion ($9.2 billion), the National Audit Office watchdog has warned.

  • Tornado GR4 9 Sqn tail - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURE: RAF Tornado gains retirement markings

    2018-11-08T11:57:06Z

    The UK Royal Air Force is advancing with preparations to mark the departure from service of its last Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft next March.

  • E-3D Sentry - Crown Copyright
    News

    Saab voices opposition to UK Wedgetail buy

    2018-10-24T11:36:04Z

    Rival producers of airborne early warning and control/battle management aircraft are stepping up their efforts to halt a non-competitive acquisition of the Boeing/Northrop Grumman E-7 Wedgetail system by the UK.

  • F-35B SRVL - Crown Copyright
    News

    PICTURES: UK trials unique carrier landing technique with F-35B

    2018-10-16T09:17:51Z

    The UK has for the first time tested an experimental shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) technique at sea using a Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning.

  • News

    UK in talks to buy Boeing E-7 Wedgetail Early Warning and Control aircraft

    2018-10-03T16:59:35Z

    ​The British Ministry of Defense (MOD) is in talks with Boeing to acquire the E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control System.