The RAF Today

Seventy years ago, after the Royal Air Force had faced down the German Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain and stopped the planned invasion of the UK, Winston Churchill famously said “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few”.

This year, the RAF celebrates and commemorates this vital victory whilst continuing to conduct military and peace keeping operations around the world in the spirit of “our finest hour”. Since its formation 92 years ago, the RAF has continually defended the skies over Great Britain.

People are the Royal Air Force’s greatest asset, and the equipment they use is cutting-edge and world class. From the Typhoon to the C17 Globemaster and the Jackal patrol vehicle, the equipment enables its men and women to perform their roles successfully.

The RAF’s fast jet forces, the Typhoon, Tornado and Harrier provide the key offensive and defensive capability. These aircraft are fundamental to the RAF’s ability to control the air environment and be able to “take the fight” to the enemy through offensive action.

The newest aircraft in the fast jet fleet is the Typhoon. A highly agile aircraft with a formidable weapons suite, Typhoon’s remarkable power means it can climb to 40,000 ft within two minutes. Ultimately Typhoon will replace both the Tornado F3 and Jaguar in the air defence and air-to-ground roles as a truly multi-role aircraft.

Alongside the Typhoon are the two Tornado variants, the F3 and GR4. Although due out of service in 2011, the Tornado F3 remains a potent air defence aircraft and remains on 24/7 alert at RAF Leuchars in Scotland to protect the skies of the UK. Meanwhile the Tornado GR4 is operating in Afghanistan providing vital Close Air Support, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to NATO forces on the ground. With its range of weapons such as Brimstone and Paveway lV and state-of-the-art imagery pods, the GR4s are supporting and saving lives on the ground every day.

Having returned from five years on operations in Afghanistan last year, the Harrier Force remains available for operations around the world whether from land or embarked on one of the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers.

Looking to the future the Typhoon will be complemented by the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the Lockeed-Martin F-35. When it enters service with the RAF and RN as the successor to the Harrier GR9 and Tornado GR4, the JSF will be capable of undertaking a wide range of operations from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions to high intensity combat, including air defence for a carrier group and offensive support for ground forces.

JSF is a fifth generation multi-role aircraft containing cutting-edge technologies. It will deliver an affordable, sustainable, expeditionary airpower capability for the UK.

Remotely-piloted air systems, or RPAS, are growing in importance, increasing capability without inherent danger to aircrews. The RAF currently operate the MQ9 Reaper RPAS over Afghanistan. Its mission is to act as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset, employing sensors to provide real-time data to commanders and intelligence specialists at all levels. It also carries Hellfire missiles and bombs and can target enemy forces on the ground when needed.

Having the ability to collect, pass-on and analyse data for use on the battlefield combined with attacking targets when needed, this capability is part of Combat ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) and with the new Sentinel aircraft, ground-based radars and intelligence centres they form a key element of the RAF’s future capability.

The ability to move equipment and personnel rapidly around the world and across a battlefield is vital to modern operations. The RAF fleets of Tristar, VC10 and C17 Globemaster aircraft provide long-range, strategic mobility whether acting as the “airbridge” between the UK and Afghanistan, returning the critically injured back to hospitals in the UK or moving emergency aid to far-flung corners of the world.

The Tristar and VC10 aircraft also act as air-to-air refuelling tankers vital to extending the operations of fast jets. The C130 Hercules provides medium-range tactical air mobility and is in constant use on operations transporting personnel and equipment. It also routinely re-supplies the Army on the ground in Afghanistan by way of air drops.

The final link in air mobility is that provided by the RAF’s support helicopter fleet that form part of the Joint Helicopter Command. Operating the Chinook, Merlin and Puma helicopters the support helicopter force provides rapid and relatively safe movement across a battlefield, flying day and night into enemy heartlands to deliver people and kit – and of course providing the essential reassurance that an “air ambulance” is always on call.

Meanwhile, the RAF Regiment provides essential protection to air bases and personnel, defending our airfields to ensure they remain safe for operations. Most recently, personnel

from the RAF Bomb Disposal Teams have started to work in Afghanistan, completing the RAF’s umbrella of support to coalition operations.

Back home in the UK the RAF’s Search and Rescue helicopters and Mountain Rescue Teams are on standby ready to assist those in distress, and the RAF is ready to provide aid during emergencies like the Boscastle floods. RAF Fylingdales maintains a constant vigil monitoring space objects as part of the Allied Space Surveillance Network, while Control and Reporting Centres ensure the integrity of UK air space.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, unique as a working squadron within a national air force, serves to honour the generations of men and women who made the RAF what it is.

Although smaller than 70 years ago, the spirit of “The Few” who fought in the nation’s darkest hour lives on in today’s RAF.

Formed on April 1st 1918, today the RAF is aware of its proud heritage. It is also an inspiration to currently serving personnel as the RAF faces the security challenges of the 21st century and the Service looks forward to the part it will play in a new era of technology and global co-operation. The machines and the circumstances may change, but the can-do spirit, forged in the crucible of 2 World Wars, burns bright in everyone who wears the “light blue” uniform.