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Revision as of 06:18, 17 January 2009

Out-of-character note: This article contains a list of all NO British military aircraft that are either fictitious, or semi-fictitious

Boeing/BAe Hornet

During the mid 1970's the Royal Navy had a requirement to replace its ageing Buccaneers and Phantoms. The first alternative suggested was the F-14 Tomcat, and A-6E Intruder, however this was overruled on cost grounds. The Government told the Royal Navy that it had to replace them with a single type. This left only one aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet, then under development for the US Navy.

The first Hornets were delivered in 1984, and were designated McDonnell Douglas Hornet FRS.1. They had only the minimum of changes from US Navy Hornets, including compatibility with British missiles such as Sky Flash and Sea Eagle, and British radios. The US wiring for nuclear weapons was rmeoved, however British Aerospace fitted the necessary wiring for the WE.177 nuclear bomb.

During the early 1990's, the RAF and RN cooperated in finding a replacement for the initial Hornets (for the RN), and the Jaguar (for the RAF). They settled on an Anglicised version of the F/A-18C/D designated Hornet FGR.3/T.4. The Royal Navy ordered 90, and the RAF ordered 240. Final assembly was at BAe's plant in Warton.

Versions

• Boeing/BAe Hornet FRS.1 - Minimum change F/A-18A for the Royal Navy
• Boeing/BAe Hornet T.2 - Minimum change F/A-18B for the Royal Navy
• Boeing/BAe Hornet FGR.3 - MDD/BAe joint venture based on the Night Attack F/A-18C, included Blue Vixen radar, ASRAAM, Brimstone, and CRV7 compatibility for both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force
• Boeing/BAe Hornet T.4 - MDD/BAe joint venture based on the Night Attack F/A-18D, included Blue Vixen radar, ASRAAM, Brimstone, and CRV7 compatibility for both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force

Boeing/BAe Eagle

The transfer of a Phantom Squadron to the Falklands was perceived as creating a gap in the air defence of the United Kingdom. This gap was to be filled by the Tornado ADV, but the Tornado ADV had been running into serious delays. The Foxhunter radar was of particular concern, and a report was tabled in Parliament saying that the first Tornado ADV's would be delivered with concrete ballast in place of the radar, and that the Tornado ADV would not be operational until 1988, or even 1990.

This created an uproar in the Commons, and in the United States, with comments being made (as well as frequent press leaks by the Pentagon) about Britain's commitment to defend strategic American assets in Britain (with particular reference to the F-111's, SR-71's, and Cruise). The Americans pounced, making the RAF an offer they thought the RAF could not refuse, offering cut-price new-build F-15's as a Tornado substitute (in the event, they did refuse).

Nevertheless, by September 1984, the RAF had leased 60 F-15C/D's. The RAF were immediately impressed. These F-15's were unmodified except for a bolt-on aerial refueling probe. The F-15 offered the range of a Tornado with the performance of a Lightning.The first Tornado F.2's were delivered to 226 OCU in 1986, and it shortly became clear that even if Foxhunter could be made to work, the F-15 completely outclassed the Tornado. Deliveries of the Tornado F.2 were stopped after the first 18, while the Government evaluated the two. The Italian and German governments immediately protested. The Tornado ADV would save them both money as it would reduce the cost of their own Tornados.

A compromise was reached, the British would be allowed to cancel the Tornado ADV, while persisting with the Tornado IDS. The British would also order the Tornado ECR. Britain and the US would work on the development of a distinctly British F-15 with the new Turbo Union Titan, and Blue Vixen ER, while in the immediate future, Britain would return the leased Eagles, and buy minimal-change F-15's (usually called Sky Flash Eagles). The US would buy the Tornado ECR as the EA-13 to replace the EF-111 and F-4G.

• McDonnell Douglas Eagle F.1 - Unchanged (except for bolt-on IFR probe) F-15C leased from the United States, 46 leased, all returned
• McDonnell Douglas Eagle T.2 - Unchanged (except for bolt-on IFR probe) F-15D leased from the United States, 14 leased, 13 returned, 1 lost
• McDonnell Douglas Eagle F.3 - Minimal change British F-15C (Sky Flash, British radios), all converted to F.5
• McDonnell Douglas Eagle T.4 - Minimal change British F-15D (Sky Flash, British radios), all converted to T.6
• McDonnell Douglas/BAe Eagle F.5 - Anglo-American F-15D with missionised rear cockpit (both cockpits based on F-15E), British weapons and electronics, Blue Vixen ER (Extended Range) variant, Turbo Union Titan engines
• McDonnell Douglas/BAe Eagle T.6 - Trainer for Eagle F.5. The only difference between the F.5 and T.6 is the rear cockpit. The T.6 rear cockpit is designed for an instructor rather than a navigator.

General Dynamics Merlin

The General Dynamics Merlin (more commonly known as the F-111K) is Britain's premier strike aircraft. Changes from the F-111A include:

• Refuelling probe from the F-111B
• Extended wings and strengthened undercarriage from the FB-111A
• British nav-attack system
• Sea Eagle
• ASRAAM
• Martel (no longer in service)
• ALARM
• Harpoon
• TIALD
• WE.177

The only version in service is the General Dynamics Merlin S.6, which has a fully digital avionics system, glass cockpit, AESA radar, and Rolls Royce Titan engines.

Variants

• General Dynamics Merlin S.1: Original strike version (known as F-111K in the United States), 46 acquired in total, all converted to S.6.
• General Dynamics Merlin T.2: Dual control training version of the Merlin S.1 (US designation: TF-111K), 4 acquired in total, all converted to S.6.
• General Dynamics Merlin B.3: Strategic bomber version (US designation: FB-111K). Hybrid of the F-111K, and FB-111A. Carried UK-SRAM, and Red Thunder cuise missile. 25 acquired in total, all converted to S.6.
• General Dynamics Merlin S.4: Maritime strike version, with avionics changes from S.1 to accomodate Sea Eagle, and a radar intended for maritime strike. 25 acquired in total, all converted to S.6.
• General Dynamics Merlin S.5: Second tactical strike version, weapons bay used to carry Pave Tack. Multi-role (i.e. tactical strike, nuclear strike, maritime strike). 25 acquired in total, all converted to S.6)
• General Dynamics Merlin S.6: Present service version resulting from 1989 Mid-Life Upgrade. 100 aircraft converted from previous marks. 125 in service in 6 squadrons forming No. 3 Group, RAF.

Proposed variants

• General Dynamics Merlin FGA.x: Proposed long-range interceptor version with AN/AWG-9 radar, and AIM-54 Phoenix radar. Project dropped in 1976 before mock-up completed. Intended replacement was Tornado ADV, actual replacement was F-15 Eagle. US Designation: F-111M
• General Dynamics Merlin R.x: Proposed reconnaissance version, S.1 with reconnaissance equipment in weapon bay pack. The pack contained cameras and an IR line scanner. The pack was adopted as a module which could be fitted to the weapon bay of any Merlin S.1, S.4, S.5, and S.6. Proposed US designation: RF-111K.
• General Dynamics Merlin E.x: Proposed electronic warfare/ECM version. Essentially the EF-111A's avionics on an F-111K airframe. Replaced with Tornado ECR. Proposed US designation: EF-111K.

Boeing 707

The Boeing 707 was adopted by the RAF reluctantly in 1974. During 1973, the Oil Crisis led to problems for the airlines, and one British airline, Latimer Airways led by American businessman Josh Latimer was unable to cope. Latimer employed 10000 people, and his airline was going to collapse as a result of the embargo. The Powell Government decided not to rescue the airline, but decided it had to do something for its workers, therefore the government decided, against RAF advice (the RAF favoured the VC10) to buy Latimer Airways' 20 Boeing 707-320's. The aircraft was to be used as a passenger transport aircraft, with a secondary freight role.

The RAF was highly satisfied with the 707, and began to purchase more starting in 1976. The new aircraft (80 in all, mostly from Pan American World Airways, and British Airways) were sent to Marshall Aerospace for conversion to combination cargo/passenger/tanker aircraft. The most significant changes were the addition of a cargo door, the modification of the main deck to accept palletised seating modules, and the addition of two Flight Refuelling Ltd Mk.32B refuelling pods underneath the wings. These entered service in 1977 as the Boeing 707 KC.2 (British Airways), and Boeing 707 KC.3 (Pan Am), and became the basis of the RAF's tanker/transport fleet, and were introduced in good time for the Falklands War of 1982, in which they performed invaulable service.

After the war, it was decided that the RAF needed further tanker capacity. The RAF also found refuelling large aircraft such as Vulcan bombers, and Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft with wing tip pods was problematic at best, and downright dangerous at worst. Using Victor, and Vulcan bombers was a stopgap at best, and the relatively high fuel consumption of these aircraft made them unsuitable for tanking.

The RAF decided it needed a dedicated three point tanker, and the original 20 707 C.1's were sent to Flight Refuelling Ltd in 1983 for conversion into dedicated tankers. In addition to the standard Mk.32B pods under the wings, they also received a special high-pressure Hose-Drum Unit in the rear fuselage which could transfer fuel at over 5000lbs/min (compared with 2000lbs/min for a pod). The high pressure HDU could be reset to a lower pressure for fighters. The fuselage was modified with additional plumbing for extra fuel cells, as well as a cargo door. As a bonus, the aircraft could also be used as a freighter, or troop transport. This conversion resulted in the designation changing to Boeing 707 K.1.

During 1986 the RAF decided on a major upgrade program for its 707 KC.2's and KC.3's. Taking an example from the USAF, the RAF had their 707 KC.2's and KC.3's reengined with the CFM International CFM56-2 engine, which was being installed on USAF KC-135R's. The program was completed in 1989, and the aircraft were redesignated C.2K, and C.3K. From 2001-2003, the initial twenty were put through a reengining program, and all RAF Boeing 707's were given a comprehensive structural, and avionics upgrade (becoming 707 K.1As).

During 1985, the RAF acquired 8 Boeing 707-320 aircraft for conversion to electronic and signals intelligence. They look essentially the same as American RC-135's, however sensitive American equipment is replaced with British equipment. They are designated 707 R.4's.

The RAF's Boeing 707 force has served for 34 years. In that time, they have lost no aircraft, and seen active service in the Falklands, the Gulf, and the Balkans. The RAF intends to keep its Boeing 707's going until at least 2040.

Boeing 707 versions in RAF service

• Boeing 707 C.1 - 20 707-320B aircraft bought from the receivers of Latimer Airways PLC (1974-1984)
• Boeing 707 K.1 - 707 C.1 converted to dedicated tanker with extra fuselage fuel tanks, wing-mounted IFR pods, tail-mounted HDU (1984-2003)
• Boeing 707 K.1A - 707 K.1 reengined with CFM-56-2 turbofans (2003-present)
• Boeing 707 KC.2 - 40 Rolls Royce Conway-powered 707-420 aircraft bought from British Airways (1977-1989)
• Boeing 707 KC.3 - 40 JT3D-7-powered 707-320C aircraft bought from Pan American World Airways (1977-1989)
• Boeing 707 C.2K - 707 KC.2 reengined with CFM56-2 turbofans (1989-present)
• Boeing 707 C.3K - 707 KC.3 reengined with CFM56-2 turbofans (1989-present)
• Boeing 707 R.4 - 8 707-320B converted to a SIGINT, and ELINT aircraft.

Lockheed Viking

Lockheed S-3 Viking serving with the Royal Navy in the following versions:

• Lockheed Viking AS.1 - S-3B
• Lockheed Viking COD.2 - US-3A
• Lockheed Viking R.3 - Similar to ES-3A Shadow, though with entirely British electronics

All are also used as tankers.

Northrop Grumman Hawkeye

E-2C Hawkeye in Royal Navy service as the Northrop Grumman Hawkeye AEW.2 (E-3C Group II). Hawkeye AEW.3 is an upgrade program identical to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

AgustaWestland Griffin

Renamed AW101 Merlin.

BAe Harrier GR.9

Fitted with the APG-66 radar surplus from the Hornet FRS.1, and T.2.

Panavia Tornado

The Tornado IDS entered service as the Panavia Tornado GR.1. The RAF abandoned the Tornado ADV after only a few Tornado F.2's were built. The next RAF Tornado was the Tornado ECR, entering service in 1990 as the Panavia Tornado E.3. Tornado GR.1's were upgraded during the 1990's to Panavia Tornado GR.4.

Rolls-Royce Titan engine

• Used in Merlin S.6, and Eagle F.5 and T.6
• F110-sized engine
• Maximum thrust: 36500lbf