Editing Royal Air Force (section)

=== Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) ===
Six [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Hawker Beechcraft Shadow R1]]s (with two more to be converted) are operated by [[No. 14 Squadron RAF|No. 14 Squadron]] from RAF Waddington, these aircraft are King Air 350CERs that have been specially converted for the ISTAR role.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/shadow-r1/ |title=Shadow R1 |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806073108/https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/shadow-r1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Four Shadow R1s were originally ordered in 2007 due to an [[Urgent Operational Requirement]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kingairnation.com/uk-to-acquire-two-more-beechcraft-king-air-350-derived-shadow-r-1/ |title=UK To Acquire Two More Beechcraft King Air 350-Derived Shadow R.1 |website=King Air Nation |date=27 November 2015 |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806160305/https://kingairnation.com/uk-to-acquire-two-more-beechcraft-king-air-350-derived-shadow-r-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and began the conversion process to the ISTAR role in 2009.<ref name="shadow">{{cite web |url=http://www.defence-solutions.co.uk/Public/News/news_view.aspx?articleid=52 |title=UK converts King Air 350s into ISTAR platforms |date=13 January 2009 |work=defence-solutions.co.uk |access-date=16 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414125741/http://www.defence-solutions.co.uk/Public/News/News_View.aspx?articleID=52 |archive-date=14 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''ZZ416'' was the first Shadow R1 to be delivered in May 2009 to [[No. 5 Squadron RAF|No. V (AC) Squadron]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.militaryaircraftmarkings.co.uk/updates/MAMupdate49-2009.pdf |title=Military Aircraft Markings Update number 49, June 2009. |publisher=Military Aircraft Markings |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806181533/https://www.militaryaircraftmarkings.co.uk/updates/MAMupdate49-2009.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> A further Shadow was procured and delivered in December 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2019/09/16/new-defensive-aids-for-raf-shadow-istar-fleet/ |title=New defensive aids for RAF Shadow ISTAR fleet |website=Air Forces Monthly |date=16 September 2019 |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228165251/https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2019/09/16/new-defensive-aids-for-raf-shadow-istar-fleet/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Shadow fleet was transferred over to the newly reformed No. 14 Squadron in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/14squadron.cfm |title=14 Squadron |publisher=Royal Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202185125/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/14squadron.cfm |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref> Following the 2015 SDSR, three more Shadows were ordered and the fleet was given an OSD of 2030.<ref name="SDSR2015">{{cite web|title=National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124082813/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf|archive-date=24 November 2015|access-date=26 November 2015|website=gov.uk|publisher=HM Government}}</ref>

Ten [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper]] unmanned aerial vehicles are operated by [[No. 13 Squadron RAF|No. XIII Squadron]] at RAF Waddington.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-22320275|title=Armed drones operated from RAF base in UK, says MoD|date=27 April 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428014420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-22320275|archive-date=28 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/no-39-squadron-standard-lodged-at-raf-cranwell-following-disbandment/ |title=No 39 Squadron standard lodged at RAF Cranwell following disbandment |website=Royal Air Force |date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>

Three [[Boeing RC-135|Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint]]s (also known in RAF service as Airseeker) replaced the [[Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1]] fleet in the [[signals intelligence]] role under the Airseeker Programme and are flown by [[No. 51 Squadron RAF|No. 51 Squadron]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/airseeker-rc-135w-rivet-joint/ |title=RC-135W Rivet Joint |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324001323/https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/airseeker-rc-135w-rivet-joint/ |archive-date=24 March 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Nimrod fleet was retired in 2011, the RAF co-manned aircraft of the US Air Force until the three RC-135s entered service between 2014 and 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nimrod R1 aircraft in final flight for RAF |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13942014 |newspaper=BBC News |date=28 June 2011 |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701115743/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13942014 |archive-date=1 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The aircraft were [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker]] tankers converted to RC-135W standard in the most complex combined [[Foreign Military Sales]] case and co-operative support arrangement that the UK had undertaken with the [[United States Air Force]] since the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ministry of Defence |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/RivetJointJoinsFutureForce2020.htm |title=Rivet Joint joins Future Force 2020 |publisher=Mod.uk |date=22 December 2010 |access-date=13 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019122630/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/RivetJointJoinsFutureForce2020.htm |archive-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rivet Joint received its first operational deployment in August 2014, when it was deployed to the Middle East to fly missions over [[Iraq]] and [[Syria]] as part of Operation Shader.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iraq: 'Secret' Surveillance Flights Revealed|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1319633/iraq-secret-surveillance-flights-revealed|access-date=29 December 2014|publisher=Sky News|date=16 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128055914/http://news.sky.com/story/1319633/iraq-secret-surveillance-flights-revealed|archive-date=28 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The RC-135W's OSD is 2035.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/uk-and-us-extend-rivet-joint-support-until-2035/ |title=UK and US extend Rivet Joint support until 2035 |publisher=Royal Air Force |date=26 October 2021 |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026194239/https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/uk-and-us-extend-rivet-joint-support-until-2035/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The General Atomics Protector RG1 is currently being introduced into RAF service, with operational flying scheduled to begin in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |first=Gareth |last=Jennings |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ga-asi-delivers-first-protector-uav-to-uk |title=GA-ASI delivers first Protector UAV to UK |website=janes.com |date=2 October 2023 |access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref> On 5 October 2015, it was announced that the Scavenger programme had been replaced by "Protector", a new requirement for at least 20 [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s.<ref name="Protector">{{cite news|title='Protector' UAV fleet to replace RAF Reapers|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/protector-uav-fleet-to-replace-raf-reapers-417391/|access-date=7 October 2015|agency=Flightglobal|date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008015040/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/protector-uav-fleet-to-replace-raf-reapers-417391/|archive-date=8 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 October 2015, it was revealed that Protector would be a [[Type certificate|certifiable]] derivative of the [[MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9B SkyGuardian]] with enhanced range and endurance.<ref>{{cite news|title=MoD reveals Reaper derivative will be chosen for Protector|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mod-reveals-reaper-derivative-will-be-chosen-for-pro-417509/|access-date=7 October 2015|agency=Flightglobal|date=7 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208080843/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mod-reveals-reaper-derivative-will-be-chosen-for-pro-417509/|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, it was indicated that at least sixteen aircraft would be purchased with a maximum of up to twenty-six.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Beth |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/civil-uavs/us-approves-sale-of-up-to-26-protector-uavs-to-uk/122336.article |title=US approves sale of up to 26 Protector UAVs to UK &#124; News |publisher=Flight Global |date=2016-11-18 |access-date=2020-05-25 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806130633/https://www.flightglobal.com/civil-uavs/us-approves-sale-of-up-to-26-protector-uavs-to-uk/122336.article |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2018, a [[General Atomics]] US civil-registered SkyGuardian was flown from North Dakota to RAF Fairford for the [[Royal International Air Tattoo]] where it was given RAF markings. In July 2020, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract for three Protectors with an option on an additional thirteen aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=MOD signs £65 million contract for Protector aircraft |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-signs-65-million-contract-for-protector-aircraft |work=UK Ministry of Defence |location=London |date=15 July 2020 |access-date=16 July 2020 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814095119/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-signs-65-million-contract-for-protector-aircraft |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2021 Defence Command Paper confirmed the order for 16 Protectors,<ref name="2021DCP"/> despite the fact that the 2015 SDSR originally laid out plans for more than 20.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/07/15/uk-orders-first-three-protector-drones-from-general-atomics/|title=UK orders first three Protector drones from General Atomics|date=15 July 2020|publisher=Defence News|access-date=7 December 2020|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215063625/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2020/07/15/uk-orders-first-three-protector-drones-from-general-atomics/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first Protector RG1 (''PR009'') was delivered to RAF Waddington in September 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/first-protector-aircraft-has-arrived-at-raf-waddington/ |title=First Protector aircraft has arrived at RAF Waddington |publisher=Royal Air Force |website=raf.mod.uk |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref> [[No. 31 Squadron RAF|No. 31 Squadron]] was reformed as the first Protector squadron on 11 October 2023,<ref>{{cite web |first=Gareth |last=Jennings |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/raf-reconstitutes-31-squadron-as-new-protector-unit |title=RAF reconstitutes 31 Squadron as new Protector unit |website=janes.com |date=12 October 2023 |access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref> having been earmarked for the role in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=RAF announces new Typhoon, Protector squadrons|url=http://www.janes.com/article/81705/raf-announces-new-typhoon-protector-squadrons|access-date=13 July 2018|publisher=IHS Janes|date=12 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712223031/http://www.janes.com/article/81705/raf-announces-new-typhoon-protector-squadrons|archive-date=12 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Based at RAF Waddington, [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No. 54 Squadron]] and [[No. 56 Squadron RAF|No. 56 Squadron]] act as the OCU and OEU for the ISTAR fleet respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/squadrons/54-squadron/ |title=54 Squadron |publisher=Royal Air Force |website=raf.mod.uk |access-date=26 May 2020 |archive-date=13 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713164646/https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/squadrons/54-squadron/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/squadrons/56-squadron/ |title=56 Squadron |publisher=Royal Air Force |website=raf.mod.uk |access-date=26 May 2020 |archive-date=23 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423053803/https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/squadrons/56-squadron/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:RC-135W Rivet Joint MOD 45159809.jpg|[[Boeing RC-135|Airseeker R1]]
File:Shadow R1 5(AC) Sqdn RAF Waddington this morning.jpg|[[Beechcraft Super King Air|Shadow R1]]
File:Reaper UAV Takes to the Skies of Southern Afghanistan MOD 45151418.jpg|[[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9A Reaper]]
File:RIAT 2018 - Static display IMGP2662 (28679706407).jpg|[[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper#Protector|Protector RG1]]
</gallery>