Latest news with #RAF
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The British Air Force One is also an aerial tanker
Executive transport for heads of state provides a means of safe and secure travel. It can also serve as an ambassador in its own right on state visits. To show support and national pride, countries prefer to operate domestic executive transports. The VC-25s that serve as Air Force One were made by Boeing while Russia's Il-96 presidential transport aircraft were manufactured by Voronezh. Naturally, the British Royal Air Force operates a modified Airbus A330 for executive transport. Britain provides the Rolls-Royce engines as well as the wings for the A330. The civilian airliner serves as the base aircraft for the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. Also operated by the air forces of Australia, France, Saudia Arabia, and Singapore, the A330 MRTT can transport passengers, patients, cargo, and fuel for aerial refueling. 14 MRTTs, owned by AirTanker Holdings Limited, are operated under lease by the British RAF; in RAF service, the aircraft has the Voyager KC2 or KC3. Voyager KC3 with registration ZZ336 serves as the primary air transport for the British royal family, prime minister, and other government ministers. In 2016, ZZ336 was converted for a VIP transport mission with 58 business class-type seats in the front cabin, 100 premium economy-type seats in the rear cabin, media facilities, missile detection capability, and a secure satellite communication system. However, the aircraft retained its low-visibility, matte-gray military paint scheme. It was not until 2020 that the aircraft received its gloss-white and Union Flag livery and was named Vespina. However, Vespina is not used by the RAF in the aircraft logbook, as a callsign, or flight number; the A330 MRTT operates as ZZ336. Based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, Vespina is flown by No. 10 Squadron RAF which operates the main fleet of Voyagers. On VIP missions, Vespina is typically flies with a crew of 13: a pilot, co-pilot, nine flight attendants, and two pursers. Interestingly, Vespina still retains its aerial refueling capability. The aircraft has a total fuel load of 244,000 pounds and can dispense 110,231 pounds to receiver aircraft through its two under-wing hoses and refueling pods or its centerline Fuselage Refueling Unit. In December 2022, Vespina deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar to support the FIFA World Cup with air-to-air refueling and aerial security sorties. Vespina sometimes flies as the lead aircraft in formation with the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows; this role was previously filled by a British Airways Concorde. During the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, Vespina conducted a flypast (flyover) of London.
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Weak defences warning as Britain's stockpile of military drones would run out within HOURS of a war starting
Most of the UK's drones are designed for surveillance, such as the Navy's new Peregrine spycopters, or for dropping bombs ARMAGEDDRONE Weak defences warning as Britain's stockpile of military drones would run out within HOURS of a war starting BRITAIN's military drones would run out within hours of a war starting. The stockpile, including RAF, Army and Navy weapons, is under 2,000 aircraft. Advertisement 2 While the UK has fewer than 2,000 drones - Ukraine's fighters, above, fire off 3,000 to 6,000 a day, according to estimates Credit: Peter Jordan Ukraine burns through 3,000 to 6,000 a day, say UK estimates. Its weapons range from shop-bought quadcopters no bigger than pizza box to long-range bombers that blitz Moscow. One defence source said: 'The UK has a huge capability gap. Drones are deciding the war in Ukraine. 'If either side gets drone superiority, even briefly, we have seen them make gains. Advertisement 'The UK knows this. We are sending drones to Ukraine but have hardly any of our own.' This week, Ukraine hit Moscow missile factories with drones. And footage emerged of a fibre-optic attack drone flying inside a Russian warehouse of armoured vehicles. These are immune to signal jamming as they are tethered to their pilots by fibre-optic cable. The MoD vowed to start building large, one-way attack drones last year but they are yet to enter production. Advertisement Meanwhile, drones like Russia's Zala Lancet, which loiter until spotting a target, are not due until 2027. Defence chiefs spent £200million on a loitering Fire Shadow drone but scrapped it in 2018. 'IMPOSSIBLE' BOMB Ukraine pins hopes on 'INVINCIBLE' drone to turn tide of war Most of the UK's drones are designed for surveillance, such as the Navy's new Peregrine spycopters, or for dropping bombs and firing missiles. The RAF does have Storm Shroud drones which fly alongside jets to blind enemy radars. Advertisement The MoD insisted: 'The UK is well prepared to defend itself. 'We are investing in drone technology and operate a variety of large, medium, and small drones across all three services which offer distinct operational capabilities. "We take the threats we face very seriously and the Strategic Defence Review is examining the capabilities we need to continue to keep Britain safe.' 2 Britain's stockpile of fewer than 2,000 military drones would run out within hours of a war starting Credit: Getty
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Weak defences warning as Britain's stockpile of military drones would run out within HOURS of a war starting
BRITAIN's military drones would run out within hours of a war starting. The stockpile, including RAF, Army and Navy weapons, is under 2,000 aircraft. 2 Ukraine burns through 3,000 to 6,000 a day, say UK estimates. Its weapons range from shop-bought quadcopters no bigger than pizza box to long-range bombers that blitz Moscow. One defence source said: 'The UK has a huge capability gap. Drones are deciding the war in Ukraine. 'If either side gets drone superiority, even briefly, we have seen them make gains. 'The UK knows this. We are sending drones to Ukraine but have hardly any of our own.' This week, Ukraine hit Moscow missile factories with drones. And footage emerged of a fibre-optic attack drone flying inside a Russian warehouse of armoured vehicles. These are immune to signal jamming as they are tethered to their pilots by fibre-optic cable. The MoD vowed to start building large, one-way attack drones last year but they are yet to enter production. Meanwhile, drones like Russia's Zala Lancet, which loiter until spotting a target, are not due until 2027. Defence chiefs spent £200million on a loitering Fire Shadow drone but scrapped it in 2018. 'IMPOSSIBLE' BOMB Ukraine pins hopes on 'INVINCIBLE' drone to turn tide of war Most of the UK's drones are designed for surveillance, such as the Navy's new Peregrine spycopters, or for dropping bombs and firing missiles. The RAF does have Storm Shroud drones which fly alongside jets to blind enemy radars. The MoD insisted: 'The UK is well prepared to defend itself. 'We are investing in drone technology and operate a variety of large, medium, and small drones across all three services which offer distinct operational capabilities. "We take the threats we face very seriously and the Strategic Defence Review is examining the capabilities we need to continue to keep Britain safe.' 2
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Weak defences warning as Britain's stockpile of military drones would run out within HOURS of a war starting
BRITAIN's military drones would run out within hours of a war starting. The stockpile, including RAF, Army and Navy weapons, is under 2,000 aircraft. Advertisement 2 While the UK has fewer than 2,000 drones - Ukraine's fighters, above, fire off 3,000 to 6,000 a day, according to estimates Credit: Peter Jordan Ukraine burns through 3,000 to 6,000 a day, say UK estimates. Its weapons range from shop-bought quadcopters no bigger than pizza box to long-range bombers that blitz Moscow. One defence source said: 'The UK has a huge capability gap. Drones are deciding the war in Ukraine . 'If either side gets drone superiority, even briefly, we have seen them make gains. Advertisement READ MORE UK NEWS 'The UK knows this. We are This week, Ukraine hit Moscow missile factories with drones. And footage emerged of a These are immune to signal jamming as they are tethered to their pilots by fibre-optic cable. The MoD vowed to start building large, one-way attack drones last year but they are yet to enter production. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Meanwhile, drones like Russia's Zala Lancet, which loiter until spotting a target , are not due until 2027. Defence chiefs spent £200million on a loitering Fire Shadow drone but scrapped it in 2018. 'IMPOSSIBLE' BOMB Ukraine pins hopes on 'INVINCIBLE' drone to turn tide of war Most of the UK's drones are designed for surveillance, such as the Navy's new Peregrine spycopters, or for dropping bombs and firing missiles. The RAF does have Storm Shroud drones which fly alongside jets to blind enemy radars. Advertisement The MoD insisted: 'The UK is well prepared to defend itself. 'We are investing in drone technology and operate a variety of large, medium, and small drones across all three services which offer distinct operational capabilities. "We take the threats we face very seriously and the Strategic Defence Review is examining the capabilities we need to continue to keep Britain safe.' 2 Britain's stockpile of fewer than 2,000 military drones would run out within hours of a war starting Credit: Getty Advertisement
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Veteran reunited with cadet 50 years on
When Neil Newman turned on the television on VE Day, he was shocked to see his former Air Training Cadet (ATC) warrant officer giving permission for the parade to start in London. He and other members of the 495 (Sutton Coldfield) Squadron had no idea that the man, Alan Kennett, who inspired many of them to go into the military as a career, was still alive. On Thursday, the men, both from Sutton Coldfield, were reunited for RAF veteran Mr Kennett's 101st birthday at his daughter's house in Lichfield, alongside an RAF cadets band who performed to mark the occasion. "We didn't know you were still alive… we wanted to get in touch with you, that's how much of an impact you had on us," Mr Newman told Mr Kennett. "As soon as he was on the TV, the phone didn't stop, it was a WhatsApp group that we were all in," he told the BBC. "We just couldn't believe that Alan was starting this parade, it's been 45 years since we last saw him." The men were aged between 12 and 14 when Mr Kennett oversaw them. "We had total respect for Alan because as long as we walked the straight path it was okay… I think that's why we're all still in touch now, because he gelled us as a team," said Mr Newman. "He came on the camps with us, took us flying, took us shooting." Looking back, Mr Kennett said: "I think the lads all knew that as long as they behaved themselves they were all right, but if they didn't, they were in trouble." "I must have done something right." Mr Kennett was in the RAF during WW2 and worked as a mechanic on Spitfires. Reflecting on his own contribution, he told the BBC earlier this month that it was a "job" he was doing, whereas those who died deserved the most recognition. He formally started the military procession of 1,300 members of the armed forces in London as part of events marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'I'm no hero, they're still out there' Red Arrows, royals, veterans and tea: VE Day at 80 in pictures Royal Air Force
