Royal Air Force • Page 4 of 12

Jan- 2024 -

29 January

Land

Jackal 2 Reconnaissance vehicles and their crew from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, drove off the Royal Air Force (RAF) ATLAS C.1 (A400M) aircraft after a Rapid Air Landing (RAL) at RAF Shawbury on Exercise Pegasus Clover on the 12th of December 2023. 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH) worked with an RAF ATLAS C.1 aircraft at RAF Shawbury to develop their airlanding skills. Troops loaded and secured Land rovers on the aircraft, and then took flight to practise getting off the aircraft and into the fight as fast as possible. The skills learnt on Exercise Pegasus Clover are vital for the unit in its role in 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army’s global response force. The brigade is trained and equipped to be ready to deploy by air at short notice to respond to international crises, from evacuations to warfighting. 1 R IRISH, based at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, serves in 16 Air Asslt Bde as light recce strike infantry, a new concept that the unit is currently developing. The intent is to provide a highly mobile force that can seek out battle winning information, while having the firepower to hit the enemy hard. It has the flexibility to deploy onto operations by airlanding or driving, as well as conducting helicopter operations.

British Army Trains Rapid Land Vehicle Deployment Via Air Transport

The British Army has held air landing training to improve rapid ground vehicle deployments using military transport aircraft.

25 January

Europe

Inder Singh Bisht

British Typhoon Jet Fitted With Next-Gen Radar

A Typhoon fighter jet has been fitted with a new, next-generation radar ahead of initial flight trials later this year.

Dec- 2023 -

26 December

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Ukrainian Pilots Start British-Led F-16 Training in Denmark

The UK Royal Air Force has begun training Ukrainian airmen in Denmark to operate the F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft.

18 December

Europe

Joe Saballa

UK Says Number of Military Personnel Falls to ‘Record Low’

The British military is currently experiencing its lowest number of active-duty personnel, according to UK Ministry of Defence data.

5 December

Arctic

Rojoef Manuel

UK, Norway Practice Cold Weather Survival in the Arctic

The UK Royal Air Force and Norwegian counterparts have trained their cold weather survival skills above the Arctic Circle.

1 December

Arms

Pictured is a Royal Air Force Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft releasing a torpedo for the first time. In a training flight conducted over the Moray Firth a Poseidon (P-8A) aircraft operated by 120 Sqn, RAF Lossiemouth, dropped a recoverable exercise variant of the Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo, simulating an attack on a submarine. The MK 54 is an advanced lightweight anti-submarine warfare (ASW) torpedo Which can be used in both deep and shallow waters. It is capable of tracking, classifying, and attacking underwater targets. Five Mark 54’s can be carried in the Poseidon's internal weapons bay. The high-explosive warheads on the live torpedoes pack a devastating punch sufficient to destroy enemy submarines that the Poseidon crew can locate and track using state-of-the-art equipment.

Rojoef Manuel

UK to Equip Poseidon Maritime Aircraft With Enhanced Sting Ray Torpedo

The UK has selected the Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo as the next ordnance for the Royal Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

Nov- 2023 -

29 November

War

A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster arrived in Egypt on the 23rd of November 2023 to deliver UK Aid. The fourth UK aircraft carrying humanitarian aid landed in Al Arish, Egypt, for onward transfer to Gaza. The RAF flight carried 23 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including 4,500 blankets and 4,500 sleeping mats for distribution by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: The RAF continues to deliver on the UKs commitment to helping those in need by operating flights into the region to provide urgent humanitarian support which will save civilian lives. The UK is driving international efforts to support the humanitarian response in Gaza, working closely alongside partners and allies to de-escalate the situation.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Flies More Humanitarian Aid to Egypt for Gaza

The UK Royal Air Force has made another airlift to Egypt to support Gaza civilians following Israel’s bombardment for several weeks.

20 November

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

On the 30th of September 2023, The new Royal Air Force (RAF) Protector MQ-9B Aircraft was delivered to RAF Waddington by an Antanov AN 124-100M aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) USA. On the 6th of October 2023, Protector MQ-9B was assembled at RAF Waddington working with RAF 31 Sqn engineers and GA-ASI personnel. Protector is the RAF's newest platform and is operated by the newly reformed 31 Sqn based at RAF Waddington. Protector RG Mk 1 (MQ-9B) is the successor to Reaper (MQ-9A) and is the next generation of remotely piloted medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) aircraft. Protector will be deployed in wide-ranging armed Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations where its ability to fly consistently for up to 40 hours will offer the RAF a vastly improved armed ISTAR capability.

Rojoef Manuel

First Royal Air Force MQ-9B Protector Drone Completes Maiden Flight

The UK Royal Air Force’s first MQ-9B Protector drone has completed its maiden flight in Lincoln.

3 November

War

A second UK flight carrying equipment that will support humanitarian agencies to deliver lifesaving supplies to Gaza arrived in Egypt today. This will be followed by a number of flights to deliver 30 tonnes of vital equipment such as forklift trucks, belt conveyors and lighting towers, which have been specifically requested by UK partners in the region, including the Egyptian Red Crescent. RAF delivers another large load of essential equipment to Middle East, consignment includes · Generators · Forklift trucks · Pallet trucks, including 2 for rough terrain Fuel store · Conveyor belt loader · Vehicle service kits The equipment will be set up close to the Rafah border crossing increasing the capacity of agencies to manage and deliver significant quantities of aid to those in Gaza. Rafah is currently the only entry point for aid into Gaza. This is the second Royal Air Force humanitarian flight from Brize Norton and follows the delivery of 21 tons of essential supplies, including wound care packs and water filters, which arrived in Egypt last week and was handed over to partner agencies working on the ground in Gaza.

Rojoef Manuel

UK Conducts Egypt Airlift to Deliver Lifesaving Supplies to Gaza

The UK Royal Air Force has conducted an airlift operation to Egypt to support humanitarian agencies in delivering lifesaving supplies to Gaza.

Oct- 2023 -

24 October

Europe

A UK Protector RG Mk 1 drone is seen on a runway, seemingly moments before takeoff.

Juster Domingo

UK Royal Air Force Receives First Protector Drone

The UK Royal Air Force has received its first Protector RG Mk 1 drone at Waddington Air Base following its assembly by the RAF's 31 Squadron.

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