British Military Pictures & Videos

Together with the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) we have today revealed that Taranis, the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle demonstrator, has successfully completed a second phase of flight testing. Taranis - the most advanced aircraft ever built by British engineers - flew in a fully ‘stealthy’ configuration, making it virtually invisible to radar during this latest set of trials. Taranis is a stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle, designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry variety of precision missiles/bombs, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets. It is also capable of detecting, identifying and selecting the targets automatically by it's self. It will utilise stealth technology, giving it a low radar profile, and it will be controllable via satellite link from anywhere on Earth.

In order to achieve an unprecedented level of stealth, the team changed all antennas on the aircraft to signature control variants and the air data boom on the nose of Taranis was removed. Following these modifications Taranis used a specially-designed system which allowed the aircraft to generate a full set of flight data, without the use of an external probe or boom. Taranis also used a cutting edge communications system to ensure it was able to stay in touch with its mission commander without giving away its position to the enemy.

Taranis also used a cutting edge communications system to ensure it was able to stay in touch with its mission commander without giving away its position to the enemy. Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said: "The success of these test flights is an important milestone for the Taranis project. We are gaining vital insights into the potential of unmanned aircraft and this knowledge will shape future capabilities and help reduce the risks faced by military personnel on the frontline. I am determined to continue investing in these world-leading projects to show us the future, today."

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An Apache helicopter takes off from HMS Illustrious. A seaborne exercise saw Apache helicopters from 664 Squadron, Army Air Corps, carry out deck landing practice onboard HMS ILLUSTRIOUS recently. They embarked for a two week training package to enable pilots and ground crews to acclimatise to working in a maritime environment.

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A British Army WAH-64 'Apache' attack helicopter fires a salvo of CRV7 (Practise) rockets at targets down range. Army Air Corps Apache pilots from 651 (AHF) Squadron based in Middle Wallop, Hampshire attended a two-day live firing exercise at Lulworth Ranges/Bovington Camp in Dorset. The aim of the exercise was to qualify the pilots as instructors so they can teach future pilots in core Apache skills.

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The Apache helicopters from 656 Squadron 4 Regiment Army Air Corps joined Illustrious in the waters off the United Arab Emirates as she took part in Exercise Sea Khanjar before then returning to the UK.

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Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the UK’s Royal Air Force are at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada this month to take part in one of the world’s leading air-to-air combat training exercises which begins this week. Red Flag is the United States Air Force’s premier air-to-air combat training event. Participants typically include both US and allied nations’ combat air forces. The exercise gives pilots the experience of multiple, intensive air sorties in the safety of a training environment

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This year, as well as the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4’s from 6 Squadron based at RAF Leuchars, there will also be Tornado GR-4s and an E-3D Sentry from the UK. The Royal Australian Air Force are expected to send F-18s and an E-7. The allied nations will augment and perform alongside a contingent of US aircraft. In 2013, Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft acquitted themselves with flying colours at the event attracting widespread praise for their agility, flexibility and ability to deliver what was described as ‘high kinetic’ effect. The Eurofighter’s Defensive Aids Sub Systems (DASS) and the aircraft’s Mission Data were major contributors to the jet’s success. “We’re pretty much the envy of all the Typhoon pilots back home at the moment,” Typhoon pilot Flight Lt. Alex Thorne said. “A lot of people are excited to see what the Typhoon can do, but are really excited to see what our jet can do alongside and against some of the platforms here.”

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Even if the U.S. Air Force has selected three bases for B-2 operations outside the U.S. (RAF Fairford, in UK, Diego Garcia and Andersen AFB at Guam), overseas deployments of the Spirit stealth strategic bombers are quite unusual.

Indeed, B-2s don’t move from Whiteman AFB, in Missouri, too often as they are trained to conduct very long round-trip missions from their homebase in CONUS (Continental U.S.), as happened during recent training missions, extended nuclear deterrence sorties in the Korean Peninsula, as well as during real conflicts, as the Libya Air War in 2011 or the Allied Force in Serbia in 1999.

That’s why the deployment of two Spirit bombers with the 509th Bomb Wing to the UK is, at least, noteworthy. Obviously, the official press release doesn’t mention the rarity of this “short-term deployment,” as it only mentions that the “multi-role heavy bombers will conduct training flights in the USEUCOM area of operations, providing opportunities for aircrews to sharpen skills in several key operational sets and become familiar with airbases and operations in the region.”

Little is known about this deployment, unlike the other one which involves three B-52s that have arrived at RAF Fairford last week and whose detachment had been exposed by aircrew patches produced ahead of the participation of the Stratofortresses to the Saber Strike and Baltops exercises.

“The training and integration of strategic forces demonstrates to our nation’s leaders and our allies that we have the right mix of aircraft and expertise to respond to a variety of potential threats and situations,” said Adm. Cecil Haney, commander, U.S. Strategic Command in the release.

For sure, the Russian threat in Europe is taken seriously by the USSTRACOM, that may have decided to deploy some strategic assets closer to Ukraine, more to show the local allies that Washington is capable to support them if needed rather than put some pressure on Moscow.

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A Royal Marine with 45 Commando pictured during jungle training on Exercise African Winds at the Jungle Warfare School, Ghana.

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British Army snipers on training in Wales as part of NATO "Quick Response Task Force"

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A Royal Air Force crewman from 18 (B) Squadron monitors reservist soldiers from 4 Battalion, Parachute Regiment (4 Para) boarding a Chinook HC4 during Exercise Vortex Warrior in the USA.

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A Section Commander from 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment directs his troops during a patrol through the Australian Bush.

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Chinook helicopters from18 (B) Squadron practising desert operations as the sun sets during Exercise Vortex Warrior.18 (B) Sqn are based at Royal Air Force Odiham, Hampshire

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A soldier with 1 LANCS throws a hand grenade during an exercise.

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Royal Marines of Bravo Company 40 Commando, embark aboard a Sea King Helicopter during Ex Southwest Sword.The Company deployed to the South-west training area to brush up on Amphibious and aviation training before embarking on Ex Joint Warrior in the Spring.

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Gosport’ Browndown beach was invaded by more than a hundred Royal Marines and soldiers as part of a major military exercise. Under Exercise South West Sword, the Marines of 42 Commando launched the assault from HMS Albion, which is anchored in the Solent, to prove her capabilities as the UK High Readiness Amphibious Assault Ship..

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42 Commando Royal Marines left Devonport, Plymouth to deploy on their 2 month long Exercise Auriga 10 in VA, Virginia, USA.

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Royal Marines from Alpha Company, 40 Commando brace themselves against the downdraft from an incoming Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter during Operation DAAS 7B in Afghanistan.

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Elements of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines conducted a WADER training package on the French Island of Corsica.

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A combination of British Challenger 2 Main battle Tanks(MBT) and the Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles on the live firing range at Grafenwöhr (Germany). Exercise BAVARIAN CHARGER is the first of three large contingency operation exercises being undertaken by 20th Armoured Brigade. Contingency Operations training is known as Hybrid Foundation Training or HFT. The aim of this exercise is to train the 5 Rifles, The Queens Dragoon Guards (QDG) Battle Groups and 1 Logistic Support Regiment in combined arms manoeuvre.The exercise is split into 3 main phases. The first phase consists of a two week live firing exercise in Grafenwoer, Southern Germany, that enables the units and soldiers to refine their skills with their equipment and weapons. Training is constructed to develop skills from the individual level through to the Battlegroup level and culminates in a final attack that sees the use of helicopters, tanks, artillery and infantry combined.

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The AS90 self-propelled gun from 26 Royal Artillery firing the 155mm shells .

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A British Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) live firing in Grafenwöhr (Germany)

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Pictured - A convoy of Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle from 5 Rifles moves through the training area.

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A soldier with 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (1 RRF) laying down fire during Exercise Southern Warrior.

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Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The BRF is made up of soldiers from Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) and the 4th Battalion, The Rifles (4 RIFLES).

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Royal Air Force Chinook and Merlin helicopters take off on a mission from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. The Royal Air Force has played a vital part in Operation Herrick in Afghanistan since 2001.

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Royal Air Force personnel during the 25 hour flight from Brize Norton to the Philippines onboard a C17 aircraft carrying vital vehicles, aid and supplies to the typhoon stricken islands.

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Snipers and Royal Marines during train

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The British Combat Logistics Patrol were pictured arriving at the gates of the major military camp after departing from operating bases across Helmand Province.

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First Fusiliers hone infantry skills at STANTA. Soldiers from Y and W Companies, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers have been honing their dismounted infantry skills during a two-week field firing battle camp in Thetford, Norfolk. As well as training up to platoon and company strength live attacks by day and night, the Fusiliers have also been firing the new Glock pistol and training on the latest infantry thermal imagery sighting systems.

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Foxhound is at the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle technology, providing unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight. Featuring blast survivability close to that of a Mastiff - and just a little bigger than the Snatch Land Rover it replaces – the Foxhound is ideally suited for manoeuvring around the narrow backstreets of Helmand’s towns and villages. Weighing in at six tones, it has a top speed of 70mph and can do 0-50mph in just 19 seconds. Four-wheel steering makes it extra agile, with a 40ft turning circle.

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ScanEagle is a small, low-cost, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It is catapulted off the back of ships and then recovered by flying them back to be caught by a wire extended over the side.

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