Editing V bomber (section)

==Electronic countermeasures and reconnaissance==
[[File:Avro 698 Vulcan B2 (MRR), UK - Air Force AN2262505.jpg|thumb|Vulcan XH534 modified for the reconnaissance role in 1977]]
Valiants served in a photo-reconnaissance role with No. 543 Squadron, commencing in the second half of 1955. At least seven Valiants were configured to the ECM role, serving with No. 199 Squadron from 30 September 1957.{{sfn|Wynn|1997|pp=153–154}} These aircraft were ultimately fitted with APT-16A and ALT-7 jamming transmitters, [[Airborne Cigar]] and Carpet [[Radar jamming and deception|jammers]], APR-4 and APR-9 "sniffing" receivers, and [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]] dispensers.{{sfn|Brookes|2012|p=45–46}} After the Valiants were grounded, the timetable for the development of a photo-reconnaissance version of the Victor, known as the SR.2, was accelerated. A prototype (XL165) was flown for the first time on 23 February 1965, and the first aircraft (XL230) was delivered to No. 543 Squadron on 18 May 1965. The Victor SR.2s carried out extensive photographic survey work, which assumed increased importance after the bombers switched to low-level operations.{{sfn|Jackson|1981|pp=86–88}} No. 543 Squadron was disbanded on 31 May 1974, but a flight of four remained until 30 March 1975 to participate in [[1971–74 French nuclear tests|French nuclear weapons testing]] in the Pacific. Responsibility for the reconnaissance role passed to No. 27 Squadron, which had been re-formed in November 1973, and operated the Vulcan SR.2. No. 27 Squadron was disbanded in March 1982.{{sfn|Jackson|1981|p=89}}{{sfn|Brookes|2012|pp=163–165}}