Royal Air Force

The United Kingdom has taken an important step toward its Tempest next-generation fighter, with the start of a trials campaign for the Flight Test Aircraft (FTA), nicknamed Excalibur, which will serve as a flying laboratory for the new combat aircraft. Based on a Boeing 757 airliner, the FTA joins a growing band of dedicated trials aircraft that are being used to prove out technologies for current and future-generation fighter programs, also in the United States and China.

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

Mystery drones have flown over USAF bases in the UK for an eighth day.

Royal Air Force

Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week

By Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 27, 2024

An unspecified number of drones were spotted over RAF Lakenheath in England

Royal Air Force

Multiple Drone Incursions Just Occurred Over USAF Fighter Base In England

By Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 22, 2024

Pictured is an RAF Chinook (27(R) Squadron) flying in formation with a Puma (230 Squadron) over RAF Cosford. After a 3-year Covid-enforced break, the RAF Cosford Air Show will take place on 12 June 2022. The last RAF-organised air show, it attracts 50,000 people to the airfield and incorporates a flying display, static aircraft displays, STEM displays and vintage villages. The highlights of the flying will be the RAF Red Arrows, BBMF, Typhoon display team, Belgian F16 and French Rafale. The RAF F35B displayed at the air show for the first time.

Royal Air Force

British Defense Cuts Hit All Three Services Hard

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

SPEAR 3 air-to-surface mini cruise missile.

Royal Air Force

UK’s New SPEAR 3 Mini Cruise Missile Succeeds In First End-To-End Test

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

Not for the first time, the commitment of the United Kingdom to the F-35B Lightning stealth fighter is under scrutiny, amid reports that the new government could make cuts to it as it grapples with financial woes. With the British government seemingly committed to the next-generation Tempest fighter, the ability to pay for two separate advanced combat aircraft programs is being questioned, while continued problems integrating new weapons on the F-35B also pose a threat to its long-term security.

Royal Air Force

United Kingdom’s F-35B Fleet Plans Under Threat As Defense Cuts Loom

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 27, 2024

Half a century ago today, the first prototype of the Panavia Tornado prototype, aircraft P-01, was recorded at Manching in West Germany, with test pilots Paul Millet from British Aerospace and Nils Meister of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) at the controls.

Royal Air Force

Panavia Tornado Swing-Wing Combat Jet’s Ten Most Unusual Variants

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

The United Kingdom is advancing the build of a new fighter demonstrator as part of its Tempest next-generation air combat program. The demonstrator, so far only known as the Flying Technology Demonstrator, is planned to fly within the next three years and its progress in an important boost for the Tempest stealth fighter — and wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS) — program, the future of which has recently begun to be questioned in some quarters.

Royal Air Force

Tempest Stealth Fighter Flying Demonstrator Takes Shape

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

General Atomics has revealed a new fifth member of its Gambit modular drone family that is carrier-capable and that could represent a step forward in a broader naval aviation vision for the United Kingdom and other countries.

Royal Air Force

New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 23, 2024

Billionaire Jared Isaacman Is going to fly a Tornado F2A.

Royal Air Force

Tornado F2 Set To Become Most Advanced Flying Fighter In A Private Individual’s Hands

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Exercise TARTAN SPIRIT has tested, trained and integrated critical capabilities to ensure they are ready for any operational missions. From scenario driven training to Tactical Landing Zones, this Exercise takes personnel from RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s largest station and home to the UK’s Air Mobility Force, Prestwick Airport is the Deployable Operating Base and West Freugh the Forward Operating base. II Squadron RAF Regiment deployed alongside the Air Mobility Force to further strengthen their tactics, training and techniques alongside various aircraft. These skills are essential for ensuring RAF aircraft can operate safely across the globe. By training together we continue to provide integrated and scaleable Air Force Protection capability whilst preparing all RAF personnel for the rigours of operations, providing them with critical skills to survive, operate and maintain their operational edge.

Royal Air Force

Confessions Of A C-130 Hercules Pilot

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 23, 2024

Concept 2 sub-scale model on display at the World Defense Show

Royal Air Force

This Is BAE Systems’ Reworked, Stealthier Uncrewed Combat Aircraft Concept

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Feb 7, 2024

Royal Air Force

F-35 To Get Meteor, SPEAR 3 Missiles “By End Of Decade”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 22, 2024

As part of a £2.35 billion investment into upgrading Typhoon, a European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mark 2 Radar developed by Leonardo UK features a unique multi-functional array (MFA) which will allow Typhoon to simultaneously detect, identify, and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground plus perform electronic warfare tasks.

Royal Air Force

British Eurofighter Finally Gets Advanced Swashplate AESA Radar

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 17, 2024

Royal Air Force

Britain’s New Jackdaw Combat Drone Aims To Be “Disposable”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 12, 2023

Royal Air Force

UK’s E-7 Radar Jet Deal Slammed As “Absolute Folly” In New Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 17, 2023

Royal Air Force

British F-35Bs To Bring Vertical Landing Abilities To Highways

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 13, 2023

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft will be heading to Germany to support the flow of aid to Ukraine.

Royal Air Force

Australian E-7 Radar Jet Will Watch Over Ukraine Aid Shipments

By Oliver Parken, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 11, 2023

Royal Air Force

Britain Bids Farewell to C-130 Hercules With Spectacular Flypast

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jun 15, 2023

Royal Air Force

RC-135 Surveillance Jet Flies Unprecedented Mission Over Moldova

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 1, 2023

Royal Air Force

Malfunctioning Russian Missile May Have Saved RC-135 Spy Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 13, 2023

Royal Air Force

U.K. Commits To Training Ukrainian Fighter Pilots, Many Questions Remain

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 8, 2023

Royal Air Force

WWI Aircrews Trained In These Moving Cockpits On Rails To Learn Aerial Gunnery

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jan 6, 2023

Royal Air Force

British Fighters Launch Record Number Of ASRAAM Dogfight Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 24, 2022

Royal Air Force

Russian Su-27 Released Missile During Intercept Of British RC-135 Spy Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 20, 2022

RAF E-3 sentry being converted into Navy E-6 mercury

Royal Air Force

Navy Turning British Surplus E-3 Sentry Into E-6B Doomsday Plane Trainer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 5, 2022

Royal Air Force

The Truth About The Harrier’s Unique ‘VIFF-ing’ Dogfight Maneuver

By Commander Paul Tremelling RN (Rtd)

Posted on Sep 28, 2022

Royal Air Force

British Typhoon Fighters Helped Sink A Warship For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 23, 2022

Royal Air Force

Retired Vulcan Bomber Plows Into A Field During High-Speed Taxi Run

By Joseph Trevithick, Oliver Parken

Posted on Sep 16, 2022

Royal Air Force

20 Percent Of The USAF’s B-2 Force Is Deployed ‘Down Under’

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Aug 4, 2022

Royal Air Force

Let’s Look At The UK’s Plan To Fly A Tempest Fighter Demonstrator In Just Five Years

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 20, 2022

Royal Air Force

Why The Legacy Of Robin Olds Lives On In Today’s Fighter Pilots

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 14, 2022

Royal Air Force

Watch This B-52 ‘Crabwalk’ Down The Runway In A Heavy Crosswind Like Only It Can

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 22, 2022

Royal Air Force

Photo Emerges Of Crashed British F-35B After It Was Hauled Out Of The Mediterranean

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 21, 2022

Royal Air Force

United Kingdom Details Plans To Build Future Fighter Jet Engine With Japan

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 22, 2021

Royal Air Force

U.S. Air Force’s First European-Based F-35s Have Arrived In England

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 16, 2021

Royal Air Force

Watch This B-1B Make A Crazy Steep Banking Climb After A Touch And Go At RAF Fairford

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Oct 14, 2021

Royal Air Force

RC-135 Now Flying With Donor KC-135 Engine Cover After Frightening Crosswind Landing Mishap

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Sep 23, 2021

Royal Air Force

Watch This RC-135 Spy Plane Make A Frightening Crosswind Landing In England (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Sep 20, 2021

Royal Air Force

What It’s Like Being A Royal Air Force Photographer Capturing The Action On Deployment

By Corporal ‘Matty’ Matthews, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 8, 2021

Royal Air Force

Watch This C-17 Engage Its Thrust Reversers In Mid-Air To Make An Extremely Rapid Descent

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 4, 2021

Royal Air Force

Aircraft Spotter Thanked By F-15E Pilot After Alerting Him To Malfunctioning Jet

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 24, 2021

Royal Air Force

Russia Threat Could See U.K. Fighter Jets Operating From Highways Once Again

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 21, 2021

Royal Air Force

Arctic Pit Stop A First For British Typhoon Fighter Jets

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 15, 2021

Royal Air Force

British F-35Bs Will Soon Fly Middle East Combat Missions From HMS Queen Elizabeth

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on May 3, 2021

Royal Air Force

Check Out This Stunning Photo Of The Qatari-British Typhoon Squadron In Action

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 26, 2021

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force Just Can’t Get Enough Of The Chinook With 14 New Orders

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 21, 2021

Royal Air Force

The Boscombe Down Incident Remains One Of Military Aviation’s Most Intriguing Mysteries

By Brett Tingley

Updated on Apr 8, 2021

Royal Air Force

British Armed Forces Poised To Make Big Cuts To F-35 Plans And More

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 24, 2021

Royal Air Force

British Typhoons Have Used Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles For The First Time In Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 16, 2021

Royal Air Force

Top British F-35 Pilot On How His Fledgling Team Is Forging Its Own Path Forward

By Jamie Hunter

Updated on Mar 15, 2021

Royal Air Force

Yes, The U.S. Navy Also Took The Spitfire Into Battle During World War II

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 5, 2021

Royal Air Force

The United Kingdom Has Chosen Who Will Build Its First Prototype Loyal Wingman Combat Drone

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 25, 2021

Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force Turned A Torpedo Bomber Into A Flying Flamethrower During World War II

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 20, 2021

Royal Air Force

How British Tornados Used A Special Weapon To Ravage Saddam’s Airfields In Daring Desert Storm Raids

By Jamie Hunter

Updated on Jan 15, 2021

Royal Air Force

First Royal Air Force Wedgetail Radar Plane Will Be Converted From An Ex-Chinese Airliner

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 4, 2021

Royal Air Force

This Is All The Survival Gear That Apache Attack Helicopter Crews Fly Into Combat With

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 28, 2020

Royal Air Force

Britain’s Shackleton Radar Plane Was Born As An Already Antiquated Cold War Dinosaur

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2020

Royal Air Force

You Can Buy The Royal Air Force’s Impressive Sentinel Radar Planes, But Only In Pieces

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 23, 2020

Royal Air Force

Watch Crew Eject From An Australian Super Hornet After An Aborted Takeoff

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 9, 2020

Royal Air Force

Here’s How An EC-135 Crew Pulled Off One Of The Most Jaw-Dropping Air Show Takeoffs Ever

By Robert Hopkins

Updated on Nov 27, 2020

Royal Air Force

Strike Eagle Pilot Gives A Detailed Walk Around Tour Of An F-15E

By Jamie Hunter

Updated on Nov 27, 2020

Royal Air Force

The Day The Royal Air Force Lost Six Jet Fighters In Just 45 Minutes

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 27, 2020

Royal Air Force

The Amazing Tale Of Bravo November, The British Chinook Helicopter That Refused To Die

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 27, 2020

Royal Air Force(Page 2)

Latest in Royal Air Force

UK’s 757-Based ‘Excalibur’ Avionics Testbed For Tempest Future Fighter Emerges

Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week

Multiple Drone Incursions Just Occurred Over USAF Fighter Base In England

British Defense Cuts Hit All Three Services Hard

UK’s New SPEAR 3 Mini Cruise Missile Succeeds In First End-To-End Test

United Kingdom’s F-35B Fleet Plans Under Threat As Defense Cuts Loom

Panavia Tornado Swing-Wing Combat Jet’s Ten Most Unusual Variants

Tempest Stealth Fighter Flying Demonstrator Takes Shape

New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works

Tornado F2 Set To Become Most Advanced Flying Fighter In A Private Individual’s Hands

Confessions Of A C-130 Hercules Pilot

This Is BAE Systems’ Reworked, Stealthier Uncrewed Combat Aircraft Concept

F-35 To Get Meteor, SPEAR 3 Missiles “By End Of Decade”

British Eurofighter Finally Gets Advanced Swashplate AESA Radar

Britain’s New Jackdaw Combat Drone Aims To Be “Disposable”

UK’s E-7 Radar Jet Deal Slammed As “Absolute Folly” In New Report

British F-35Bs To Bring Vertical Landing Abilities To Highways

Australian E-7 Radar Jet Will Watch Over Ukraine Aid Shipments

Britain Bids Farewell to C-130 Hercules With Spectacular Flypast

RC-135 Surveillance Jet Flies Unprecedented Mission Over Moldova

Malfunctioning Russian Missile May Have Saved RC-135 Spy Plane

U.K. Commits To Training Ukrainian Fighter Pilots, Many Questions Remain

WWI Aircrews Trained In These Moving Cockpits On Rails To Learn Aerial Gunnery

British Fighters Launch Record Number Of ASRAAM Dogfight Missiles

Russian Su-27 Released Missile During Intercept Of British RC-135 Spy Plane

Navy Turning British Surplus E-3 Sentry Into E-6B Doomsday Plane Trainer

The Truth About The Harrier’s Unique ‘VIFF-ing’ Dogfight Maneuver

British Typhoon Fighters Helped Sink A Warship For The First Time

Retired Vulcan Bomber Plows Into A Field During High-Speed Taxi Run

20 Percent Of The USAF’s B-2 Force Is Deployed ‘Down Under’

Let’s Look At The UK’s Plan To Fly A Tempest Fighter Demonstrator In Just Five Years

Why The Legacy Of Robin Olds Lives On In Today’s Fighter Pilots

Watch This B-52 ‘Crabwalk’ Down The Runway In A Heavy Crosswind Like Only It Can

Photo Emerges Of Crashed British F-35B After It Was Hauled Out Of The Mediterranean

United Kingdom Details Plans To Build Future Fighter Jet Engine With Japan

U.S. Air Force’s First European-Based F-35s Have Arrived In England

Watch This B-1B Make A Crazy Steep Banking Climb After A Touch And Go At RAF Fairford

RC-135 Now Flying With Donor KC-135 Engine Cover After Frightening Crosswind Landing Mishap

Watch This RC-135 Spy Plane Make A Frightening Crosswind Landing In England (Updated)

What It’s Like Being A Royal Air Force Photographer Capturing The Action On Deployment

Watch This C-17 Engage Its Thrust Reversers In Mid-Air To Make An Extremely Rapid Descent

Aircraft Spotter Thanked By F-15E Pilot After Alerting Him To Malfunctioning Jet

Russia Threat Could See U.K. Fighter Jets Operating From Highways Once Again

Arctic Pit Stop A First For British Typhoon Fighter Jets

British F-35Bs Will Soon Fly Middle East Combat Missions From HMS Queen Elizabeth

Check Out This Stunning Photo Of The Qatari-British Typhoon Squadron In Action

The Royal Air Force Just Can’t Get Enough Of The Chinook With 14 New Orders

The Boscombe Down Incident Remains One Of Military Aviation’s Most Intriguing Mysteries

British Armed Forces Poised To Make Big Cuts To F-35 Plans And More

British Typhoons Have Used Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles For The First Time In Combat

Top British F-35 Pilot On How His Fledgling Team Is Forging Its Own Path Forward

Yes, The U.S. Navy Also Took The Spitfire Into Battle During World War II

The United Kingdom Has Chosen Who Will Build Its First Prototype Loyal Wingman Combat Drone

Royal Air Force Turned A Torpedo Bomber Into A Flying Flamethrower During World War II

How British Tornados Used A Special Weapon To Ravage Saddam’s Airfields In Daring Desert Storm Raids

First Royal Air Force Wedgetail Radar Plane Will Be Converted From An Ex-Chinese Airliner

This Is All The Survival Gear That Apache Attack Helicopter Crews Fly Into Combat With

Britain’s Shackleton Radar Plane Was Born As An Already Antiquated Cold War Dinosaur

You Can Buy The Royal Air Force’s Impressive Sentinel Radar Planes, But Only In Pieces

Watch Crew Eject From An Australian Super Hornet After An Aborted Takeoff

Here’s How An EC-135 Crew Pulled Off One Of The Most Jaw-Dropping Air Show Takeoffs Ever

Strike Eagle Pilot Gives A Detailed Walk Around Tour Of An F-15E

The Day The Royal Air Force Lost Six Jet Fighters In Just 45 Minutes

The Amazing Tale Of Bravo November, The British Chinook Helicopter That Refused To Die

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