Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the Air Force of the United Kingdom.
History of the RAF
It was originally formed by Royal Warrant on May 13, 1912 as the Royal Flying Corps, superseding the Air Branch of the Royal Engineers. The Royal Naval Air Service was formed shortly after the outbreak of World War I, in which both forces saw service. On April 1, 1918 the RAF was formed by amalgamation of the RFC and the RNAS under the supervision of the Air Ministry.
Between the World Wars the RAF was responsible for mail and armed forces services, but saw little military action. Of particular note was 1928's air evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan, the first operation of its kind. This period also saw the formation of the major flying schools that still provide its service personnel.
Perhaps the defining moments of the RAF's existence however, came during the Battle of Britain. Over the summer of 1940 the RAF held off the Luftwaffe in an air war, perhaps the first of its kind, contributing immensely to the delay of Operation Sea Lion, and helping to turn the tide of World War II.
RAF on the Ground
Ever since the RAF was created and particlarly since World War II, it has been necessary to defend airstrips and to produce non-aircraft anti-air weapons to protect ground units. Originally, machine guns were enough to tear apart the most primitive aircraft. However, high flying aircraft could only be shot down through the use of high-powered weapons like flak cannons. When aircraft became supersonic, intelligent rockets and guidance systems were being developed. These are often heat-seeking and may be put off by flares ejected by a targetted pilot. The RAF developed the "Rapier" system, comparative to the American "Patriot" system. This system is automatically guided by a system that can recognize, prioritise and target ~80 aircraft at once. The RAF regiment are the ground-based elite units that protect the airstrips from ground based attacks. They are comparable to the RN Marines (see Royal Navy), and are generally better equipped than an average footsoldier.
There were also a RCAF (Canadian), RNZAF (New Zealand)...
See also:
(needs to be expanded)
See also:
- Comparative military ranks
- Aircraft -- bomber Avro Lancaster Hurricane Spitfire V-bombers Harrier
- Other RAF Helicopters -- Helicopters/Puma Helicopters/Merlin Helicopters/Sea kingThe Sea King is used in conjunction with the Royal Navy or RN.(change links as appropriate)
- RAF cadets