All UK Royal Air Force articles
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News
Boeing steps up promotion of T-7A for UK Royal Air Force Hawk replacement need
Boeing is stepping up its efforts to promote the T-7A Red Hawk for a near-term requirement to equip the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) with new advanced jet trainers and aerobatic display aircraft.
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Turkey finalises deal to acquire 12 ex-Royal Air Force C-130J airlifters
Turkey’s defence ministry has confirmed that a long-expected deal for the nation to acquire a dozen ex-UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports has been finalised.
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Marshall Group eyes £200m boost from sale of ex-RAF C-130s
A long-running effort by the UK Ministry of Defence to sell a fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130Js formerly operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) appears to be nearing a successful conclusion, according to one firm involved in the process.
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USAF’s prototype Wedgetails will undergo airframe modification work in the UK
A pair of prototype Boeing E-7A airborne early warning and control jets on order for the US Air Force (USAF) will undergo modification work in the UK.
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Congress moves to protect US E-7A production from Pentagon cancellation
A clause included in a draft of the annual US defence authorisation bill would prohibit the Pentagon from terminating its E-7A rapid prototyping programme with Boeing or attempting to shut down production of the airborne early warning and control jet.
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Agile, integrated, ready - new RAF chief details priorities as service evolves
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth will use his tenure as chief of the air staff to further hone the Royal Air Force’s capabilities, the service’s newly appointed senior officer says.
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UK industry looks to accelerate Typhoon capability boost via ECRS Mk2 radar
The UK could accelerate the availability of advanced features to be introduced via a major radar upgrade for its Typhoon combat aircraft, according to Eurofighter partner company BAE Systems.
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Leonardo offers UK final assembly of M-346 as Hawk replacement need grows
Leonardo is open to its M-346 undergoing final assembly in the UK should the type gain selection as a replacement for the Royal Air Force’s BAE Systems Hawk T1 and T2 fleets, a senior official at the Italian airframer says.
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Raytheon UK’s updated Paveway IV bomb hits the spot with Italian-produced warhead
Raytheon UK has completed a series of integration trials with the Eurofighter Typhoon involving its Paveway IV precision-guided bomb carrying an Italian-produced warhead.
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BAE Systems and partners ready RJ100 regional jet for Typhoon ECRS Mk2 flight tests
BAE Systems and partner Qinetiq are gearing up to begin transformation of an Avro RJ100 regional jet into a flight-test asset for trials of the ECRS Mk2 radar under development by Leonardo UK for Royal Air Force-operated Eurofighter Typhoons.
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UK F-35B makes historic landing on Japanese carrier Kaga
A Royal Navy F-35B has made the first landing of a UK-operated stealth fighter on a Japanese vessel during a major trilateral carrier exercise in the Western Pacific.
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UK flies Chinook self-protection update, trials FPV drone deployment
The UK has performed a first test flight of a Boeing CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter equipped with a new infrared suppression system installed to boost the platform’s survivability.
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In depth
NMH win ‘critical’ for Yeovil but opportunities exist for AW159 and AW101, says Leonardo Helicopters UK chief
The new boss of Leonardo Helicopters UK has stressed the “criticality” for the business of winning the ongoing New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contest, but believes the airframer can grasp other opportunities – even including selling new AW101s to the Royal Navy.
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News
RC-135 Rivet Joint platform remains best in the business, L3Harris official says
Decades after first entering service, the Boeing RC-135V/W Rivet Joint remains a critical electronic intelligence-gathering capability for the USA, the UK and their allies, L3Harris Technologies says.
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Red Arrows make switch to SAF for aerobatic displays
The Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows are performing the team’s first aerobatic displays with their BAE Systems Hawk T1s using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied by Power Electrics.
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UK’s first Wedgetail makes public debut with RIAT appearance
The UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) first Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft has made its public debut, appearing at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) on 19 July.
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In depth
UK military’s F-35B shortcomings laid bare by spending watchdog
The UK National Audit Office (NAO) has detailed the challenges faced by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) in fielding the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, while projecting that the nation’s through-life spend on the stealth fighter programme could potentially top £70 billion ($94 billion).
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AirTanker to deliver A330 Voyager connectivity upgrade for RAF
AirTanker has been awarded a £170 million ($231 million) contract to modernise communication equipment aboard the Voyager tanker/transports it provides for use by the UK Royal Air Force (RAF).
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RAF opens Protector training centre at Waddington base
The UK Royal Air Force has opened a new training centre for its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Protector RG1 remotely piloted air system, with the facility also available for use by allied nations.
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UK F-35A deliveries to support pilot training from late this decade
The UK expects to begin receiving a batch of 12 nuclear weapons-capable Lockheed Martin F-35As before 2030, while decisions around its broader future combat air capability are likely to be reached later this year.