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Royal Air Force Role Demonstrations |
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The Royal Air Force will present a number of role capability demonstrations at selected UK airshows throughout the UK Airshow season. The intention is to show off the RAF roles and capabilities to the general public in an exciting and informative manner showing how the various aircraft work together and with troops to carry out their missions around the world. The displays will utilise special commentary and special effects to highlight what the aircraft are doing and the use of weapons. The display will highlight a number of prime roles of the Royal Air Force. You will see reconnaissance and command and control over the battle field, air defence and interception, ground attack, troop insertion as well as close air support. The 2008 line up currently includes:-
Tornado GR4 is an upgraded version of the original GR1 airframe. Most of the upgrade has been internal with no major changes to the shape of the aircraft. The most visible change is the addition of the second fairing under the nose housing targeting avionics. The Tornado F3 was selected for development from the original Tornado GR1 attack aircraft in the late 1970s as the RAF's dedicated fighter following an MoD review of other NATO candidate aircraft. A total of 170 were ordered. Fitted with the long range Foxhunter radar and more powerful engines, the aircraft successively replaced Lightning and Phantom fighter squadrons in the air defence role. An important feature of the F3 is its ability to patrol at long distance from its base, supported by air-to-air refuelling. The aircraft is capable of operation in all weathers and at night, using night-vision goggles.The RAF operates seven E-3D Sentry aircraft in the airborne surveillance and command-and-control role. The aircraft are based at RAF Waddington, where they are operated by Nos 8 and 23 Squadrons as the UK’s contribution to the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force. The E-3D also forms one arm of the UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) triad of Sentinel R1, E-3D and Nimrod R1 aircraft. Whilst primarily procured as an airborne early warning aircraft, the E- 3D has been extensively employed in the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) role. The C-130J is a modern, capable aircraft with more powerful engines and more efficient propellers than it’s predecessors. It boasts a thoroughly modern all glass cockpit and head up display with integrated communication and defensive systems. The Hercules C4/C5s are optimised for economical operation by the introduction of new Allison turboprop engines, 6-bladed composite propellers and a digital engine control system which increases take-off thrust by 29% and is 15% more efficient. Consequently, there is no longer a requirement for the external under-wing fuel tanks to be fitted. An entirely new 'glass' cockpit with head-up displays and 4 multi-function displays replacing many of the dials and switches of the original aircraft. These displays are compatible with night-vision goggles. A crew of 2 on the flight deck, comprising pilot and co-pilot operates the aircraft with provisions for a third workstation; a separate load master position is allocated in the cargo hold.Official Website: http://www.raf.mod.uk/ |
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2008 Royal Air Force Role Demonstrations Display Calendar |
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| June | |
| 1st | RAF Cosford |
| 7th-8th | Biggin Hill |
| 15th | Kemble |
| July | |
| 5th-6th | RAF Waddington |
| 12th-13th | RIAT, RAF Fairford |
| 26th-27th | Sunderland |
| September | |
| 6th-7th | Southport |
| 13th | RAF Leuchars |
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