A Century of Excellence
From its formation in 1918 as the world's first independent air force, the RAF has defended British skies and projected power across the globe.
The Birth of the RAF
The Royal Air Force is formed by merging the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, becoming the world's first independent air force. Hugh Trenchard becomes Chief of Air Staff.
The Battle of Britain
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." β Winston Churchill
The Dambusters Raid
617 Squadron uses Barnes Wallis's bouncing bombs to breach the MΓΆhne and Eder dams. Wing Commander Guy Gibson leads the daring low-level attack, earning the Victoria Cross.
The V-Force Era
Britain's nuclear deterrent goes airborne. The Valiant, Vulcan, and Victor bombers form the V-Force, capable of delivering nuclear weapons to Soviet targets. The howling Vulcan became an icon.
The Falklands War
8,000 miles from home, the RAF conducted one of the most audacious operations in aviation history.
Operation Black Buck
7,860-mile round trip β’ 11 refuelings β’ Longest bombing raid in history
5th Generation Air Power
Today's RAF operates Typhoon FGR4s, F-35B Lightning IIs, and advanced systems like the E-7 Wedgetail. The GCAP/Tempest 6th-generation fighter is in development with Japan and Italy.
Iconic Aircraft
From canvas-covered biplanes to stealth fighters, the aircraft of the RAF have shaped aviation history.
Supermarine Spitfire
FighterThe icon of the Battle of Britain. R.J. Mitchell's elliptical-winged masterpiece combined agility with firepower.
Hawker Hurricane
FighterThe workhorse of Fighter Command. Hurricanes shot down more enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain than all other defenses combined.
Avro Lancaster
BomberThe backbone of Bomber Command's strategic campaign. Could carry the 22,000 lb Grand Slam bomb.
de Havilland Mosquito
Multi-RoleThe "Wooden Wonder" β built from plywood, faster than any Luftwaffe fighter. Fighter, bomber, pathfinder β it did it all.
Avro Vulcan
StrategicBritain's delta-winged nuclear deterrent. Its howling engines and dramatic shape made it unforgettable.
English Electric Lightning
InterceptorBritain's first Mach 2 fighter. Could climb almost vertically, reaching 36,000 feet in under three minutes.
Hawker Harrier
VTOLThe world's first operational VTOL strike aircraft. Revolutionary vectored thrust allowed operations from anywhere.
Panavia Tornado
StrikeThe swing-wing workhorse that served from the Gulf War to Syria. Variable geometry wings allowed multiple roles.
Eurofighter Typhoon
Multi-RoleEurope's premier 4.5-gen fighter. Supercruise capability, AESA radar, and exceptional agility.
F-35B Lightning II
5th GenBritain's stealthy future. STOVL capability allows operations from Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
Operations & Conflicts
From dogfights over the Western Front to precision strikes in the Middle East, the RAF has been at the forefront of British military operations.
World War I
(as RFC/RNAS)
Aviation came of age in the Great War. British pilots flew reconnaissance, strategic bombing, and aerial combat missions. Aces like Albert Ball, James McCudden, and Edward Mannock became legends.
World War II
The RAF's finest hour. From the desperate defence of Britain to the strategic bombing of Germany, Coastal Command's Battle of the Atlantic, and Desert Air Force operations in North Africa.
βοΈ Battle of Britain
Fighter Command held the line against the Luftwaffe, preventing invasion. "The Few" saved Britain.
π£ Strategic Bombing
Bomber Command struck at German industry. 55,573 aircrew killed β highest attrition of any British service.
Falklands War
8,000 miles from home, the RAF conducted one of the most audacious operations in aviation history.
π― Operation Black Buck
Vulcan bombers flew 7,860 miles round-trip to bomb Port Stanley airfield. Required 11 in-flight refuelings β a logistical masterpiece and the longest bombing raid in history.
Modern Operations
From the mountains of Afghanistan to the deserts of Iraq and Libya, the RAF continues to project British air power with precision-guided munitions.
ποΈ Afghanistan
Op HERRICK 2001-2014: Close air support, ISR, strategic airlift. Chinooks became lifesavers.
ποΈ Libya
Op ELLAMY 2011: Enforced no-fly zone. First RAF combat use of Brimstone missiles.
βοΈ Iraq/Syria
Op SHADER 2014-Present: Counter-ISIS. Typhoons and Reapers conduct precision strikes.
Weapons & Ordnance
From "Tallboy" earthquake bombs to laser-guided Brimstones, RAF weapons have evolved from brute force to surgical precision.
World War II
Grand Slam
22,000 lb "earthquake bomb" β largest of WWII. Penetrated deep then detonated, collapsing structures from below.
Tallboy
12,000 lb deep-penetration bomb. Sank the Tirpitz and destroyed V-weapon sites.
Upkeep
Barnes Wallis's bouncing bomb that skipped across water to breach German dams.
Incendiaries
4 lb magnesium sticks dropped by the million to create firestorms in German cities.
Cold War Nuclear Arsenal
Blue Danube
Britain's first operational nuclear weapon. Carried by V-bombers from 1953.
WE.177
Tactical nuclear bomb, 200 kt yield. Also had anti-submarine depth charge variant.
Blue Steel
Nuclear stand-off missile. Allowed V-bombers to strike without overflying targets. Mach 3, 150 mile range.
Red Top
Infrared air-to-air missile for Lightning interceptors. All-aspect engagement capability.
Modern Precision Weapons
Brimstone
Millimeter-wave radar guided. "Fire and forget" with 6m accuracy. Can discriminate targets.
Paveway IV
500 lb GPS/laser guided bomb. Dual-mode guidance ensures precision.
Storm Shadow
Stealthy cruise missile, 250+ km range. BROACH warhead defeats bunkers. Now in Ukraine.
Meteor
BVR AAM with ramjet sustainer. "No escape zone" 3x larger than AMRAAM. Game-changer.
ASRAAM
Advanced Short Range AAM. High off-boresight with imaging IR seeker.
Mauser BK-27
27mm revolver cannon. 1,700 rounds/min for air-to-air or ground attack.
Spear 3
Next-gen for F-35. Network-enabled, multi-mode seeker, 100+ km range.
Dragonfire
Directed Energy Weapon in development. Laser defence against drones. Cost: ~Β£10 per shot.
Famous Squadrons
Each squadron carries a legacy of honour, sacrifice, and achievement.
617 Squadron
"The Dambusters" ⒠Après moi le déluge
Formed specifically for the dams raid, 617 became the RAF's premier precision bombing unit. Today operates F-35B Lightning II.
No. 1 Squadron
In Omnibus Princeps β’ "First in all things"
The oldest flying squadron in the world (formed 1912). Flew Hurricanes in Battle of Britain, now operates Typhoon FGR4.
No. 303 (Polish) Squadron
KoΕciuszko Squadron
The highest-scoring Allied squadron in the Battle of Britain. Polish pilots, fighting for their fallen homeland, were fearless and deadly.
The Red Arrows
Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team β’ "Γclat"
The world's premier aerobatic display team. Nine BAe Hawk T1s flying in formations just 6 feet apart at 400+ mph. Global ambassadors for British excellence.
