All UK Royal Air Force articles – Page 2
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NewsRAF test pilot to fly with Virgin Orbit crew
A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) test pilot will be seconded to support Virgin Orbit’s small satellite launch activities, with a successful candidate to fly on board its modified Boeing 747-400 platform, named “Cosmic Girl”.
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News
RIAT: UK takes wraps off unmanned LANCA concept
Three bidders have been selected to pursue a UK demonstration-phase contract for an unmanned lightweight affordable novel combat aircraft (LANCA) capability.
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News
RIAT: How Typhoon updates put Centurion on guard for UK
The past 12 months have seen a momentous shift in the UK’s combat aircraft balance, with Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s having received new ground-attack weapons, its last Panavia Tornado GR4s retiring and the type’s successor – the Lockheed Martin F-35B – conducting its first operational missions in the ...
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RIAT: Acquisition reform to boost UK defence programmes
The UK's defence procurement body is pursuing an acquisition review process, with a new way of working with suppliers, more rapid and efficient development activities and increased export sales among its objectives.
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RIAT: New MFTS arrivals add lift to UK pilot training
All three of the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) new fixed-wing training aircraft types will be in the static display at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the hands of military operators, following the recent completion of deliveries via Affinity Flying Training Services.
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News
PHOTO GALLERY: All the best images from RIAT 2019
We showcase some of the hardware on display at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), taking place from 19-21 July at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
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News
PICTURES: UK's second F-35B squadron arrives at Marham home
Six Lockheed Martin F-35Bs assigned to the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) 207 Sqn operational conversion unit touched down at the service’s Marham base in Norfolk on 16 July.
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News
Marshall, Boeing sign UK E-7 risk-reduction contract
Boeing and the UK's Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group have signed a risk-reduction-phase contract linked to the latter's modification of five 737NGs for the Royal Air Force (RAF) E-7 airborne early warning and control system aircraft acquisition.
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PICTURES: UK's first Poseidon MRA1 makes flight debut
The UK’s first Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft made its flight debut on 12 July.
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PICTURES: UK F-35s make operational debut
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.
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UK to pursue new partnership model for Tempest collaboration
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.
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Lack of situational awareness blamed for RAF C-130J write-off
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.
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CAE to supply UK with second P-8A simulator
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).
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RAF to get second-hand jets as part of Wedgetail buy
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.
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PICTURE: UK's first Poseidon takes shape in Renton
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.
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Opinion
E-7 purchase is good news for UK
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).
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News
Brimstone 3 test success fires MBDA ambitions
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.
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UK signs E-7 airborne early warning contract
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.
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Meteor, Spear additions to give UK F-35s added punch
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.
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Opinion
OPINION: Bidding a fond farewell to RAF's mighty Tonka
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.
