Aircraft of the RAF: From the Cold War to the Future
Cold War
Victor
Victor, last served with No 55 sqn at RAF Marham as a tanker. The Victor used a unique crescent shaped wing. Th Victor was the only V bomber not to drop a bomb in anger.
Max Speed: 640 mph
Ceiling: 52,500ft
Armament: 35 1,000lb bombs or 1 special weapon
Vulcan
The Vulcan was the third V force aircraft. Original design by Roy Chadwick who also designed the Lancaster
Max Speed: 627 mph at 55,000ft
Ceiling: 64,690ft
Armament: 21 1,000lb conventional bonbs or 1 special'weapon
Lightning
The RAF's first mach 2 capable fighter.
Max Speed: Mach 2.2
Ceiling: 60,000ft+
Armament: 2 x Firestreak or Red Top heatseeking AAMs and 2 30mm cannon
90s to present
Tornado
The Panavia Tornado was a tri-nation development between UK, Germany and France. The RAF operates two versions, the F-3 Air Defence Version (ADV) which replaced the Lightning and the GR4 ground attack version. The ADV was a UK only development of the Tornado to provide a stopgap solution between the Lightning and the Eurofighter, stats are for F-3:
Max Speed: Mach 2.27
Ceiling: 50,000ft
Armament : 4 x either Sidewinder AAM or 4 x ASRAAM AND either 4x Skyflash or 4x AMRAMM AND 1 x 27mm cannon.
Sentry
E-3D Sentry Airborne Warning and Control Sysytem. Easily identifiable by the rotodome. Based on the beoing 707 airliner. Operated by Nos 8 & 23 Sqn at RAF Waddington.
Harrier Gr 7
The Harrier (also known as the Jump Jet) was designed as a Vertical or Short Take of and Land (VSTOL) aircraft, capable of operating from forward operating airfields or unconventional airfields in the event of its primary base being disabled. Has seen serivce in the Falkland where it distinguished itself. It is also operated by the US Marine Corps as the AV-8B. The key to its success comes from its Rolls Royce Peagsus engine, which provides vectored thrust.
Future
Typhoon (Eurofighter)
The Typhoon (previously known as the Eurofighter) is what is known as a swing role aircraft - that is the same aircraft can perform a number of roles traditionally performed by seperate aircraft types. For example Air Defence and Ground Attack. Al though it would normally be configure as one or the other not both.
Entering RAF service, it replaces the F-3 Tornado and the Jaguar.
Joint Strike Fighter
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is intended to replace the Harrier. Its a joint effort between USA and UK with 3 variants being developed, it has a longer range and payload than the Harrier, although cannot take off vertically, only land vertically (hence STOVL rather than VSTOL):
F-35A - Conventional take off
F-35B - STOVL version for the RAF and US Marine Corps
F-35C - US Navy variant