Modern RAF

Aircraft profiles from the modern raf era of the Royal Air Force.

17 Aircraft Profiles
Featured Modern RAF Aircraft

Airbus Voyager

Airbus Defence and Space

Discover how the Airbus Voyager became the RAF’s sole air-to-air refuelling tanker and strategic transport, replacing the VC10 and TriStar.

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Entered service 2012
Retired In service
Max speed 330 kt (380 mph / 611 km/h)
Ceiling 41,000 ft (12,500 m)
Range 8,700 nmi (16,100 km), maximum-fuel ferry range

Modern RAF · 17 aircraft

Modern RAF

AgustaWestland Merlin

AgustaWestland / Leonardo Helicopters
2001–2014
Modern RAF

Airbus Voyager

Airbus Defence and Space
2012–In service
Modern RAF

BAE Hawk

British Aerospace / BAE Systems
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 1976
Modern RAF

Boeing E-3 Sentry

Boeing
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 1991–2021
Modern RAF

Boeing E-7 Wedgetail

Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 2026
Modern RAF

Boeing Poseidon MRA1

Boeing
Maritime Aircraft 2020
Cold War

English Electric Canberra

English Electric
Bomber Aircraft 1951–2006
Modern RAF

Eurofighter Typhoon

Eurofighter GmbH
Fighter Aircraft 2003
Modern RAF

F-35 Lightning II

Lockheed Martin
Fighter Aircraft 2018
Modern RAF

General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 2007
Cold War

Hawker Siddeley Harrier

Hawker Siddeley
Fighter Aircraft 1969–2010
Cold War

Hawker Siddeley Nimrod

Hawker Siddeley
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 1969–2010
Cold War

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Lockheed (later Lockheed Martin)
Transport & Support Aircraft 1967–2023
Cold War

Panavia Tornado

Panavia Aircraft GmbH (BAC / MBB / Aeritalia consortium)
Fighter Aircraft 1979–2019
Modern RAF

Protector RG1

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 2025
Cold War

SEPECAT Jaguar

SEPECAT (Breguet / British Aircraft Corporation)
Fighter Aircraft 1973–2007
Cold War

Vickers VC10

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd
Transport & Support Aircraft 1966–2013