British Airforce

These are the Aircraft that britain currently use:


Tornado GR4
The Tornado Multi-Role Combat aircraft (MRCA) has been the RAF’s principal strike weapon system over the past two decades. Designed in the Cold War to penetrate Soviet air defence at low-level, the Tornado is nuclear-capable.

Since the withdrawal from service of the WE177 nuclear bomb in 1998, the Tornado strike capability has been restricted to conventional weapons.

Height 5.9m Length 16.7m
Max Speed Mach 2.2 (1,452 mph/2,333kph)
Engines 2 x Turbo-Union RB 199-34R Mk103 Turbofans
Armament 1 x 27mm Mauser Cannon, 3 x weapon points under fuselage, 4 x weapon points under wings, AIM-9L Sidewinder AAM


Harrier

The Harrier GR7 (two seat variant T-10) is the latest of Harrier 'Jump Jets' originating from the 1960s. Capable of taking off and landing vertically, the Harrier is not tied to airfields with long concrete runways but can be dispersed to sites in the field close to the forward edge of the battle area.

Height 4.17m Length 17m
Max Speed 1,065 k/ph (661mph)
Engines 1 x Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk 105
Armament 2 x 30mm Aden guns, 4 x wing weapon pylons, 1 x under-fuselage weapon pylon, Conventional or cluster bombs, 2 x Sidewinder AIM-9L AAM



Eurofighter Typhoon

The first production aircraft flew in 2003, and delivery should start later in 2003. Typhoon is scheduled to enter RAF service in the very near future, and reach its full operational capability some three years later.

Height 5.23m Length 15.96m
Max Speed 1,321mph/2,125 kph
Engines 2 x Eurojet EJ200 turbofans
Armament 1 x 27mm Cannon, Sidewinder AAM, Meteor BVRAAM, Paveway II,III, EPR (IV) LGB, JDAM or other PGB


Globemaster

The C-17 meets an RAF requirement for a interim strategic airlift capability pending the introduction of Future Transport Aircraft (A400).

The decision to lease four C-17 aircraft for some £771m from Boeing was taken in 2000, and the aircraft entered service in 2001. The lease is for a period of seven years, with the option of extending for up to a further two years.

Height 16.8m Length 53.04m
Max Speed 648 kph/403 mph
Engines 4 x Pratt and Whitney F117 turbofans
Armament n/a

More to come...

Interesting post and some fine planes there

One thing I would like to see the RAF aquire that they seem to be lacking is a dedicated long-range bomber. Much of that role is put on the Tornado's shoulders since the retirement of the RAF Vulcan.

I remember some talk awhile back of perhaps using upgraded Nimrods in this role but dont know whatever happened to that idea.

I thought we were uing the harrier GR9 now now the GR7???

and what about the:

Tordano F3
Jaguar
Nimrod
Awacs
Hawk

All the rotary wing aircraft too

Yeah i decided to start this thread but didnt have much time, Im gonna add all the rest of the aircrafts when i get more time... Theres another 10 i think.

Tornado F3

The Air Defence Variant (ADV) of the Tornado from which the F3 was developed flew for the first time in October 1979. The aircraft has a long-range, autonomous capability that enables operations to be conducted some 350 nm away from bases in bad weather, in an ECM environment and operating against multiple targets at high or low-level, which can be engaged at distances in excess of 20 nm.

Height 5.9m Length 18.7m
Max Speed Mach 2.2 (1,452 mph/2,333kph)
Engines 2 x Turbo-Union RB 199-34R Mk104 Turbofans
Armament 1 x 27mm Mauser Cannon, AAM 4 x Sky Flash, AMRAAM, 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder, ALARM, ASRAAM



Jaguar GR3/3A and T4

Produced to meet a joint Anglo-French requirement in 1965 for a dual-role advanced/operational trainer and tactical support aircraft, the Jaguar has been transformed into a potent fighter-bomber.

Height 4.89m Length 16.83m
Max Speed 1,056mph/1,690k/ph
Engines 2 x Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 106s
Armament 2 x 30mm Aden Cannon, (T4)1 x 30mm Aden Cannon, 2 x Sidewinder AAM, JP233, CBU-87, CRV-7 rockets, Paveway II, III



Nimrod MR2

Nimrod is a development of the basic Comet No 4C airframe that dates from the late 1940s. Both the current variants are descended from the original Nimrod MR Mark 1 version (first flight May 1967) upgraded during the 1980s.

Height 9.08m Length 38.63m
Max Speed 575mph/926kmph
Engines 4 x Rolls Royce Spey RB 168-20 Mark 250 Turbofans
Armament Sidewinder AIM-9, Harpoon, 9 x Mark 46 or Stingray Torpedoes, Bombs



Sentry AEW1

Deliveries of the Sentry AEW1, commenced in March 1991 and delivery of all seven airframes was complete in early 1992. These seven aircraft are of the same type as the 18 delivered to the multinational NATO early warning force between 1982/1985.

Height 12.73m Length 46.61m
Max Speed 853 k/ph (530 mph)
Engines 4 x CFM-56-2A-3
Armament Provision for self-defence air-to-air missiles



Hawk T1/T1A

The Hawk first flew in 1974, and entered RAF service two years later both as an advanced flying trainer and a weapons training aircraft. It has an economical Adour engine an un-reheated version of the same turbofan powering the Jaguar.

Height 3.99m Length 11.96m
Max Speed 622mph/1,000kph at sea level
Engines 1 x Rolls Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk 151 turbofan
Armament T1 1 x 30mm Aden cannon pack, Up to 5,600lb/2,540kg of under-wing stores for rockets, bombs and missiles T1A In addition has inboard pylons for Sidewinder AIM-9 AAM.



Tristar K1/KC1/C2/C2A

The Tristar K1 and KC1 are strategic tanker conversions of the Lockheed L-1011-500 Tristar commercial airliner. The Tristar K1 can be fitted with up to 204 passenger seats for the trooping role.

Length 50.09m
Max Speed 545mph/872km/h at 30,000ft
Engines 3 x Rolls-Royce RB211-524B4 turbofans
Armament n/a



VC 10

The VC-10 is a fast transport aircraft which is the backbone of Strike Command's long-range capability, providing flexibility and speed of deployment for British Forces. This multi-purpose aircraft can be operated in the troop transport, freight and aeromedical roles in addition to maintaining scheduled air services.

Height 12.04m Length 48.36m
Max Speed 425 mph
Engines 4 x Rolls Royce Conway turbofans
Armament n/a



Tucano T1

Originally designed by the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, the Tucano was selected in 1985 to replace the Jet Provost as the RAF basic trainer.

The development and production contract was awarded to Shorts of Belfast under licence. The first squadron aircraft was delivered in June 1988. Student training on the aircraft started at RAF Church Fenton in December 1989.

Height 3.04m Length 9.86m
Max Speed 507k/ph /315mph
Engines 1,100shp Garrett TPE-331 turboprop
Armament n/a



Chinook HC2

The Chinook is a tandem-rotored, twin engined medium-lift helicopter. It has a crew of four (pilot, navigator and 2 x crewmen) and is capable of carrying 45 fully equipped troops or a variety of heavy loads up to approximately 10 tons.

The first Chinooks entered service with the RAF in 1982. The triple hook system allows greater flexibility in load carrying and enables some loads to be carried faster and with greater stability.

Height 5.68m Length 15.54m
Cruising Speed 270 k/ph/158mph
Engines 2 x Avco Lycoming T55-712 turboshafts
Armament n/a



Puma HC1

Following the retirement of the last Wessex in 2003, the Puma is the oldest helicopter in RAF service.

The 'package deal' between the UK and France on helicopter collaboration dates back to February 1967.The programme covered the development of three helicopter types - the Puma, Gazelle and Lynx.

Height 4.38m Length 14.06m rotors turning 18.15m
Max Speed 163mph/261 kph
Engines 2 x Turbomeca Turmo 111C4 turbines
Armament n/a



Sea King HAR3

The Westland Sea King HAR3 Search and Rescue helicopter entered RAF service in 1978. The aircraft is powered by x Rolls Royce Gnome gas-turbine engines, each rated at 1,660 shp and is fitted with advanced all-weather search and navigation equipment, as well as autopilot and onboard computers to assist positioning and hovering at night or in bad weather.

Height 4.72m Length 17.01m
Cruising Speed 129mph/208 kph
Engines 2 x Rolls Royce Gnome H1400-1 turboshafts
Armament n/a



EH101 Merlin Mk 3

The EH101 Merlin Mk 3 is the newest RAF helicopter. The RAF ordered 22 EH101 (Merlin) support helicopters for £755m in March 1995.

Merlin is a direct replacement for the Westland Wessex, and it operates alongside the Puma and Chinook in the medium-lift role.

Length 22.81m
Max Speed 309k/ph/192mph
Engines 3 x Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM 322 turboshafts
Armament n/a



ASTOR (AIRBORNE STAND-OFF RADAR)

The Airborne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR) is a new British capability for operations over and around the battlefield. It is to form the UK equivalent to the US E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS).

Height 7.57m Length 30.3m
Max Speed n/a
Engines 2 x RR BR710
Systems :

1) ASARS-2 radar derivative
2) Narrowband datalink subsystem (NDLS), wideband data link based on Common Data Link (CDL)
3) Developed for the Nimrod MRA4, including missile warning system, radar warning receiver, towed radar decoy and chaff and flare dispensers



Joint Strike Fighter

The Future Joint Combat Aircraft will replace the Harrier in RAF and RN service, and be based on the US Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The estimated in-service date is 2012 to coincide with the first of the new aircraft carriers (CVF) entering service.