Future of the Royal Air Force
Encyclopedia
The planning for the future of the Royal Air Force
involves supporting ongoing British military operations, the introduction of new aircraft types, greater focus on network enabled capability
and increasing harmonisation with the American Armed Forces
and those of Europe. In October 2010, a Strategic Defence and Security Review
was published, in which the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft and the early retirement of the Harrier GR9 was announced.
is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defence missions with stealth capability. It was selected for the UK's Joint Combat Aircraft
requirement in 2001 and is expected to enter service with the RAF and Royal Navy
around 2020, replacing the existing Tornado fleet and the Harrier GR9, which was retired in late 2010. It will be the main component of the RAF's manned strike capability. The F-35 has been designed to have a low radar cross section primarily due to stealthy materials used in construction, including fibre mat.
The version initially selected was Short Take Off Vertical Landing
(STOVL) variant of the F-35, known as the F-35B. However, on 19 October 2010, David Cameron
announced that the UK would change their order to the F-35C CATOBAR
carrier
variant for both the RAF and Navy. The F-35C variant features larger wings with foldable wingtip sections, larger wing and tail control surfaces for improved low-speed control. This gives it a greater range and the ability to carry a larger and more diverse payload than the F-35B.
The number of F-35Cs to be ordered for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force is still uncertain but is rumoured to be around 50.
BAE Taranis
is a technology demonstrator programme, possibly leading to a future Strategic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) for both ground attack and reconnaissance roles. It is an unmanned warplane which is designed to fly between continents. It will carry a variety of weapons which will enable it to attack planes and also targets on the ground. It will utilise stealth technology
making it difficult to detect and it can be controlled from anywhere in the world via satellite communications.
The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team, or SUAV(E) IPT is responsible for directing the work required to establish the potential of Unmanned Air Vehicles. The demonstrator will have two internal weapons bays. With the inclusion of "full autonomy" the intention is thus for this platform to be able to "think for itself" for a large part of the mission.
is another UCAV under development, with an autonomous capability, allowing it to fly itself through an entire mission. This is a potential candidate to fulfil a requirement for an ISTAR UAV to enter service after 2015 as part of the RAF's Scavenger programme. The Mantis is an Unmanned Autonomous System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator British
demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
(UCAV) technology. It is the world's first unmanned autonomous aircraft. The Mantis is a twin-engined turboprop
-powered UCAV with a wingspan of approximately 22 m, broadly comparable to the MQ-9 Reaper
.The large dome on the front, reminiscent of a pilot's canopy, actually contains an upward facing satellite communications system. The prototype first flew on 21 October 2009 at Woomera Test Range
in South Australia
.
The RAF is acquiring 5 more Reapers in addition to the 5 it already operates. The Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations. The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance. The MQ-9 is a larger and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator (other than loiter time).
, of which 22 are to be used to replace the remaining Hercules C1/C3
(C-130K) aircraft. The ageing aerial refuelling fleet of VC10s and Tristar
s will be replaced from 2012 onwards with 14 Airbus A330 MRTT
tanker-transports, named Voyagers in RAF service, under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
programme.
The Airbus A400M will increase the airlift capacity and range compared with the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. The cargo box is 17.71 m long excluding ramp, 4.00 m wide, and 3.85 m high. The height is 4.00 m aft of the wing and the ramp is 5.40 m long. The Airbus A400M will operate in many configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, Medical evacuation, aerial refuelling, and electronic surveillance. The aircraft is intended for use on short, soft landing strips and for long-range, cargo transport flights.
A variant of the A330 MRTT was selected to provide tanking service for the RAF for the next 30 years under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
(FSTA) programme, replacing the RAF's existing L-1011 and VC10 tankers. On 27 March 2008 the UK Ministry of Defence signed a deal to lease 14 aircraft under a private finance initiative
arrangement from EADS-led consortium AirTanker, with the first aircraft to enter service in 2011. There are two versions, designated Voyager KC2 and Voyager KC3; one will be fitted with two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, the other with a Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) in addition to the under-wing pods. The aircraft will be powered by two UK-manufactured Rolls-Royce Trent 700
engines.
. The crew can then forward information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via the onboard secure communications suite.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
involves supporting ongoing British military operations, the introduction of new aircraft types, greater focus on network enabled capability
Network Enabled Capability
Network-enabled capability, or NEC, is the name given to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence intent to achieve enhanced military effect through the better use of information systems towards the goal of "right information, right place, right time – and not too much".NEC is envisaged as the...
and increasing harmonisation with the American Armed Forces
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
and those of Europe. In October 2010, a Strategic Defence and Security Review
Strategic Defence and Security Review
The Strategic Defence and Security Review was announced by the newly formed Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government of the United Kingdom in May 2010, and published on 19 October 2010...
was published, in which the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft and the early retirement of the Harrier GR9 was announced.
F-35 Lightning II
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIF-35 Lightning II
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability...
is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defence missions with stealth capability. It was selected for the UK's Joint Combat Aircraft
Joint Combat Aircraft
The Joint Combat Aircraft is the official designation of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence used for the F-35 Lightning II, formerly the Joint Strike Fighter, and the result of the Joint Strike Fighter Program.-Programme history:...
requirement in 2001 and is expected to enter service with the RAF and Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
around 2020, replacing the existing Tornado fleet and the Harrier GR9, which was retired in late 2010. It will be the main component of the RAF's manned strike capability. The F-35 has been designed to have a low radar cross section primarily due to stealthy materials used in construction, including fibre mat.
The version initially selected was Short Take Off Vertical Landing
STOVL
STOVL is an acronym for short take off and vertical landing.This is the ability of some aircraft to take off from a short runway or take off vertically if it does not have a very heavy payload and land vertically...
(STOVL) variant of the F-35, known as the F-35B. However, on 19 October 2010, David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
announced that the UK would change their order to the F-35C CATOBAR
CATOBAR
CATOBAR is a system used for the launch and recovery of aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier...
carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
variant for both the RAF and Navy. The F-35C variant features larger wings with foldable wingtip sections, larger wing and tail control surfaces for improved low-speed control. This gives it a greater range and the ability to carry a larger and more diverse payload than the F-35B.
The number of F-35Cs to be ordered for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force is still uncertain but is rumoured to be around 50.
Taranis
BAE Taranis
The BAE Systems Taranis is a British demonstrator program for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle technology. A semi-autonomous unmanned warplane, it is designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry a variety of weapons, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets...
is a technology demonstrator programme, possibly leading to a future Strategic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) for both ground attack and reconnaissance roles. It is an unmanned warplane which is designed to fly between continents. It will carry a variety of weapons which will enable it to attack planes and also targets on the ground. It will utilise stealth technology
Stealth technology
Stealth technology also termed LO technology is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive electronic countermeasures, which cover a range of techniques used with personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, and missiles, to make them less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection...
making it difficult to detect and it can be controlled from anywhere in the world via satellite communications.
The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team, or SUAV(E) IPT is responsible for directing the work required to establish the potential of Unmanned Air Vehicles. The demonstrator will have two internal weapons bays. With the inclusion of "full autonomy" the intention is thus for this platform to be able to "think for itself" for a large part of the mission.
Novel Air Concept
The Novel Air Concept is a "Capability Vision", an initiative of the Ministry of Defence to stimulate innovative solutions to long-term defence challenges that may lead to a future capability. The NAC concept, announced in 2009, envisages a UAV with folding rotor blades that would allow it to take off as helicopter and allow operation in an urban environment.Mantis
The BAE MantisBAE Mantis
-External links:...
is another UCAV under development, with an autonomous capability, allowing it to fly itself through an entire mission. This is a potential candidate to fulfil a requirement for an ISTAR UAV to enter service after 2015 as part of the RAF's Scavenger programme. The Mantis is an Unmanned Autonomous System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
An unmanned combat air vehicle or combat drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that is designed to deliver weapons without an onboard pilot. Currently operational UCAVs are under real-time human control, but future version may enable autonomous operation, for example with pre-programmed route and...
(UCAV) technology. It is the world's first unmanned autonomous aircraft. The Mantis is a twin-engined turboprop
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
-powered UCAV with a wingspan of approximately 22 m, broadly comparable to the MQ-9 Reaper
MQ-9 Reaper
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
.The large dome on the front, reminiscent of a pilot's canopy, actually contains an upward facing satellite communications system. The prototype first flew on 21 October 2009 at Woomera Test Range
Woomera Test Range
The RAAF Woomera Test Range is a weapons testing range operated by the Royal Australian Air Force Aerospace Operational Support Group...
in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
.
Reaper
The RAF is acquiring 5 more Reapers in addition to the 5 it already operates. The Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations. The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV designed for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance. The MQ-9 is a larger and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator (other than loiter time).
Airbus A400M
Future transport capability will rely on the Airbus A400MAirbus A400M
The Airbus A400M, also known as the Atlas, is a multi-national four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities. The aircraft's maiden flight, originally planned for 2008, took place on 11 December 2009 in...
, of which 22 are to be used to replace the remaining Hercules C1/C3
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(C-130K) aircraft. The ageing aerial refuelling fleet of VC10s and Tristar
Lockheed TriStar (RAF)
|-See also:-References:* Prothero, R.M. "Tristar:The answer to an operational requirement". Air International, March 1991, Vol 40 No. 3. pp. 128–134....
s will be replaced from 2012 onwards with 14 Airbus A330 MRTT
Airbus A330 MRTT
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330-200. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force , Royal Air Force , United Arab Emirates Air Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force...
tanker-transports, named Voyagers in RAF service, under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft is a British project to procure aerial refuelling and air transport for the Royal Air Force to replace VC10 and Lockheed TriStars then in service. After evaluation of bids the RAF selected the AirTanker consortium who had offered the Airbus A330 MRTT. AirTanker...
programme.
The Airbus A400M will increase the airlift capacity and range compared with the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. The cargo box is 17.71 m long excluding ramp, 4.00 m wide, and 3.85 m high. The height is 4.00 m aft of the wing and the ramp is 5.40 m long. The Airbus A400M will operate in many configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, Medical evacuation, aerial refuelling, and electronic surveillance. The aircraft is intended for use on short, soft landing strips and for long-range, cargo transport flights.
Airbus Voyager
The Airbus A330MRTT or Airbus Voyager as it shall be known is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330-200. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. The Voyager's cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. It can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions; up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. The main deck cargo configuration allows carriage of standard commercial containers and pallets. military, ISO and NATO pallets (including seats) and containers, and military equipment and other large items which are loaded through a cargo door.A variant of the A330 MRTT was selected to provide tanking service for the RAF for the next 30 years under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft is a British project to procure aerial refuelling and air transport for the Royal Air Force to replace VC10 and Lockheed TriStars then in service. After evaluation of bids the RAF selected the AirTanker consortium who had offered the Airbus A330 MRTT. AirTanker...
(FSTA) programme, replacing the RAF's existing L-1011 and VC10 tankers. On 27 March 2008 the UK Ministry of Defence signed a deal to lease 14 aircraft under a private finance initiative
Private Finance Initiative
The private finance initiative is a way of creating "public–private partnerships" by funding public infrastructure projects with private capital...
arrangement from EADS-led consortium AirTanker, with the first aircraft to enter service in 2011. There are two versions, designated Voyager KC2 and Voyager KC3; one will be fitted with two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, the other with a Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) in addition to the under-wing pods. The aircraft will be powered by two UK-manufactured Rolls-Royce Trent 700
Rolls-Royce Trent 700
|-See also:-External links:*...
engines.
Air Seeker
Three Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft have been ordered to replace the Nimrod R1, which is due to be retired in 2011. These will be known as the Air Seeker when they enter RAF service in 2014. The aircraft is an extensively modified C-135 with onboard sensors which enable the crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrumElectromagnetic spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The "electromagnetic spectrum" of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by that particular object....
. The crew can then forward information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via the onboard secure communications suite.
Chinook
On 16 December 2009, the MoD announced that 22 Chinook helicopters would be added to the fleet bringing the total number in service to 70 by 2013. In the 2010 SDSR, this number was reduced to 14. The deal has been made and the Chinook's will enter service from late 2014 onwards. In 2006, the retirement dates for the HC2 and HC2A fleets were scheduled for 2015 and 2025 respectively, however if planned upgrades were made both types could expect to be flying until 2040.Puma
Additionally the Puma fleet will undergo life extensions to prolong life to 2022.Bases and deployments
The 2010 SDSR resulted in the closure or planned closure of a small number of UK RAF stations. Many stations will be upgraded or realigned over the coming decade to accommodate new aircraft and modes of operation.See also
- Future British Army Structure (Next Steps)
- Future of the Royal Navy
- List of active United Kingdom military aircraft