The second agency that provides aviation support for the Army is the Royal Air Force. In general terms the RAF provides helicopters that are capable of moving troops and equipment around the battlefield, and fixed-wing fighter ground attack (FGA) aircraft that provide close air support to the troops in the vicinity of the Forward Edge of the Battlefield Area (FEBA).

The RAF also provides the heavy air transport aircraft that will move men and materiel from one theatre of operations to another.

In general terms the RAF support available is as follows:

RAF SUPPORT HELICOPTERS

Note: (R) denotes a reserve squadron.

For more information on these aircraft follow the links:

• Harrier

• Tornado

• Jaguar

We would expect the AAC armed helicopter to deal with the localised armoured threats to a British force on operations, with RAF aircraft (such as the Harrier and Tornado) being used on larger targets at a great distance from the forward edge of the battle area.

However, high performance modern aircraft are very expensive and fast jet pilots take up to three years to train. It would only be sensible to risk such valuable systems when all other options had failed.

In addition, the strength of enemy air defences would probably allow only one pass to be made over the target area. A second pass by fixed-wing aircraft after ground defences had been alerted would be problematical.

For more information on these aircraft follow the links:

• A400

• C-17

• Hercules

• Tristar

• VC 10