A spectacular world-first flypast using a combination of more environmentally-friendly fuels has been performed by the Red Arrows over London for His Majesty The King.
Jets from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team were powered with a high-ratio blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to provide the exciting finale at today’s big event.
The flypast is also thought to be the first time anywhere in the world that a national aerobatic squadron has switched to both a SAF blend for propulsion and a renewable biofuel – known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) – to produce its distinctive trademark vapour trails.
The team has never before flown with the sustainable fuels at a public event and follows groundbreaking trials by RAF engineers and logisticians.
In addition to reducing its carbon footprint, the move demonstrates the RAF’s commitment to new technology as well as becoming more energy-secure and less reliant on fossil fuels.
Squadron Leader Andy King, the Red Arrows’ Senior Engineering Officer and who led the pioneering fuels project, said: “Ever since the Red Arrows’ first display in 1965, the team has aimed to inspire future generations and represent the best of British – using this technology is the latest example of our relentless pursuit of excellence.
“The flypast for His Majesty The King is the perfect opportunity to showcase this innovation, on an important occasion enjoyed by so many people and in front of a big, global audience.
“The vibrant vapour trails that we generate is what sets the Red Arrows apart and so to be the first aerobatic team in the world to move to a fully sustainable option is really exciting.”
Squadron Leader Andy King
Red Arrows Senior Engineering Officer
“Through our use of renewable fuel options, particularly the novel use for the trails, we are demonstrating the best of science, technology, engineering and maths – themes and skills that are at the heart of the Red Arrows and the Royal Air Force as a whole.”
The RAF is working with alternative fuels to power current and future aircraft. This lessens reliance on global fossil fuel supply chains and makes it more energy-secure, improving operational resilience.
There are also environmental benefits by switching to these alternative fuels, including cutting carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
SAF is typically made from waste-based low carbon feedstocks. This sustainable option reduces lifecycle carbon emissions, on average, by up to 80 per cent compared to the conventional jet fuel it replaces.
HVO is a premium hydrocarbon-based fuel product made of 100 per cent renewable raw materials with a chemical structure almost identical to the regular diesel traditionally used by the aerobatic team for its vapour trails.
When judged against this standard diesel, HVO reduces emissions by up to 90 per cent across its life span.
The research and work into providing the Red Arrows with the ability to switch to the new fuels was carried out in less than six months and done entirely with existing resources and people.
These studies culminated in a successful trial flight during the team’s pre-season training earlier in the year.
The smoke trails used by the Red Arrows is a well-known part of displays and flypasts but it has a crucial flight safety role too.
They allow the pilots to judge wind speed and direction – enabling them to more easily locate other aircraft when different sections of the team’s formation are several miles apart.
All nine of the Red Arrows’ British-built Hawk fast-jets were topped-up with the new fuels at the team’s home base of RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, before the big flypast over London.
Sqn Ldr King said: “The beauty of these alternative fuels is how easily they can be used and with little additional work.
“Those watching the flypast enjoyed the same vibrant colour, speed and excitement that has characterised the Red Arrows across the last 60 years.”
Squadron Leader Andy King
Red Arrows Senior Engineering Officer
“The team will now look to explore further opportunities to use this innovation at other events.”
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, said: “The iconic Red Arrows are one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams and by adopting a more environmentally-friendly sustainable aviation fuel, the Royal Air Force is blazing a trail as part of our work to combat climate change.
“Following our Strategic Defence Review, we are increasing our investment in advanced new technologies to ensure our Armed Forces are ready to meet the threats of tomorrow and innovative solutions like this show that we can deliver on that goal while supporting sustainability and lowering our carbon footprint.”
Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris, the RAF’s Director Support, said: “The King’s Birthday Flypast is the perfect event to showcase to the next generation how our adoption of low emission alternatives, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel and biofuel, can decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.
“Importantly, this technology has the potential to increase our resilience and protect our operational outputs in a more volatile world, with no loss of performance. As the Red Arrows have shown today, the RAF is adapting to ensure we can continue to fly and fight globally, using any fuel source, as these alternative supplies become more common.”
The Red Arrows’ 2025 season runs until October, with 60 shows planned across the UK and mainland Europe. For the full list of dates, visit the Displays page of the team’s website.
