New RAF intelligence aircraft arrives in UK seven months early
The specialist surveillance aircraft was handed over today at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and will be deployable on operations within a matter of weeks.
Since delivery of the first aircraft last year, over 60 improvements have been incorporated into the second aeroplane ranging from upgrades to the aircraft’s mission systems to engine improvements providing increased fuel efficiency and durability.
The first Airseeker commenced operations in July 2014 and is currently employed alongside other RAF units in the fight against ISIL supporting operations in Iraq and Syria.
In due course, it will undergo an upgrade programme to bring the aircraft in line with the improvements made on the second aircraft.
Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, said: "The delivery of the second Airseeker provides our Armed Forces with another vital intelligence aircraft that will give valuable support to our fight against enemies such as ISIL.
"With a Defence budget that will rise in real terms over the next five years and a £163 billion equipment plan, we are able to give our Armed Forces the best equipment to meet the growing and complex threats we face today."
The Airseeker not only gathers data and vital intelligence using advanced sensor technology, but it is also able to carry out onboard analysis and distribute the information to be exploited by assets on the ground via its high-tech communications suite.
Chief of Materiel (Air) at the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support Organisation, Air Marshal Simon Bollom, said: "This milestone for the Airseeker programme, coming ahead of schedule, gives the UK another world-class real-time signals intelligence and surveillance capability supporting forces in the air and on the ground.
"It also marks the significant achievement of the Defence Equipment and Support team in delivering this outstanding aircraft to the RAF."
