Shadow R1

[shark bait]

No. 14 Squadron of the Royal Air Force currently operates the Beechcraft Shadow R1 (a modified Beechcraft Super King Air) in the Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role from RAF Waddington.

Assigned to the RAF's 14 Sqn and based at Waddington in Lincolnshire, the Shadow R1 is used to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks in Afghanistan. The system has been acquired via the UK Ministry of Defence's urgent operational requirement funding model.

Details of the Shadow's operational capabilities have not been revealed, but in 2012 the achieved the milestone of having flown 10,000 operational hours. The current aircraft - which the RAF website categorises as "offensive support" assets - were delivered to the service between 2007 and 2011, as recorded in Flightglobal's MiliCAS database.

[shark bait]

Shadow is a bit of an enigma, and continues to be in the SDSR.

Had to check wiki for this one but it puts the RAF's inventory at 6, the SDSR says we will have 8 until at least 2030.
Perhaps the extras are coming from the soon to be replaced king airs in the training fleet?

[SKB]

Not many Shadow R1 videos on Youtube, but found a couple.

[shark bait]

I think that answers my question.

Did any one see that comming? Clearly what ever it does, it is very valuable.

[ArmChairCivvy]

France has been upping similar a/c numbers for use as flying command posts during SF ops - a function for which helos lack the endurance even if they are used for getting the forces in and out (or for fire support, but that, too, is a brief visit if the distances involved are long).

[shark bait]

France has been upping similar a/c numbers for use as flying command posts during SF ops - a function for which helos lack the endurance even if they are used for getting the forces in and out (or for fire support, but that, too, is a brief visit if the distances involved are long).

That would make good sense. They clearly have a big comms fit, alot of aerials for a small aircraft. It would also explain where the money for the extras is coming from, and why they are such an enigma. Good thinking!

[Gabriele]

Worth posting here that the SDSR announces a sizeable increase, from 5 (+1 aircraft without mission suite, used for training) to 8, all with full mission suite.

[shark bait]

Worth posting here that the SDSR announces a sizeable increase, from 5 (+1 aircraft without mission suite, used for training) to 8, all with full mission suite.

Indeed a sizeable increase, and to something I was convinced would go to fund the P8. Has to be one of the bigger surprises from the document.

[downsizer]

Not really a surprise at all. Incredibly useful asset.

[arfah]

-<>-<>-<>-

[james k]

Tri service crew in the rear, members of the Royal Signals and RM/RN work with the RAF.

[Smokey]

R1 to R2 upgrade confirmed.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ce-441135/

[ArmChairCivvy]

A good thing, becoming R2: leaves only one R1 in service
"the RAF's originally five-strong fleet of Bombardier Global Express-based Sentinel R1 ground surveillance aircraft is to receive updates to address obsolescence issues related to the type's radar, mission system and satellite communications equipment"

[Timmymagic]

Previously announced but date details and fleet size.

[The Armchair Soldier]

RAF deploy additional aircraft over English Channel

A Shadow R1 (an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance aircraft) is now operating over the English Channel.
The Shadow R1 ISTAR aircraft is based on Beechcraft King Air 350CER aircraft and is an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance aircraft developed by Raytheon.

It is currently in operation with 14 Squadron.

Read More: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/raf-dep ... h-channel/

[Jensy]

After six years, Shadow 7 and 8 get ordered...



Plus the rest of the fleet to be upgraded to R2 standard.

Forces News:
https://www.forces.net/news/raf-shadow- ... ing-action