Facts of the Forces

A look into the capabilities, roles, people and history of the British Armed Forces.

[defencehq-deactivated20210928]

Top: Reserve Soldiers from 7 Battalion The Rifles creating a dam with sandbags; 2nd row left: Reserve Soldiers from 7 Battalion The Rifles creating a dam in Beaulieu Close, Windsor; middle: Royal Navy personnel and Reserve Soldiers from 7 Battalion The Rifles work together to create a dam in Beaulieu Close, Windsor; right: Royal Navy personnel unloading sandbags; 3rd row: Reserve Soldiers from 7 Battalion The Rifles help members of the Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service to dam a breach in the Kennet & Avon Canal that threatened an electrical sub-station near Burghfield, south of Reading; 4th row left: Over 600 sandbags were put in place during a 90 minute period; middle: Reserve Soldiers from 7 Battalion The Rifles manhandling sandbags across knee-deep mud; and right: The Prime Minister meeting Royal Marines from 40 Commando to thank them for their efforts during his visit to flood-hit parts of the South West on Friday [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Rhys O’Leary and Corporal Richard Cave RLC, Crown copyright]   The Prime Minister visited flood-hit parts of the South West on Friday and thanked Royal Marines from 40 Commando who were involved in relief efforts.   Yesterday, Reserve Soldiers from 7 Battalion The Rifles deployed to the Kennet & Avon Canal at the behest of the local authorities to provide flood relief assistance. An electrical sub-station near Burghfield, south of Reading, was at risk from the canal.   The troops, deployed alongside members of Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service, manhandled over 600 sandbags during a 90 minute period whilst in knee deep mud in order to hold back the water.   And in Beaulieu Close, Windsor, Reserve Soldiers of 7 Battalion The Rifles deployed alongside members of Royal Navy, from HMS Sultan and HMS Collinwood.

The local authorities requested military assistance to dam the roadway against flooding.   The troops manhandled over 6,000 sandbags during the night in order to hold back the water.   Military personnel continue to provide support in areas affected by floods as part of cross-Government and multi-agency relief efforts.

[factsoftheforces]

More images of the British Army this time moving out to help the area of Windsor from the Thames bursting. All three services are fully involved in this now.

Good luck to them and to all those who might be in those areas. Treat em well, a little cup of tea would be very appreciated!

[defencehq-deactivated20210928]

Royal Marines from 40 Commando assisting with the flood relief effort on the Somerset Levels yesterday evening and this morning, 6 and 7 February [Pictures: Leading Airman (Photographer) Rhys O’Leary, Crown copyright]   Royal Marines are playing a key role in the cross-government and multi-agency relief efforts, supporting those affected by the flooding.   Yesterday, 6 February, around 40 Royal Marines from 40 Commando, based in Taunton, moved to the village of Athelney to provide general flooding assistance.   Read more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/military-support-flood-relief-operation-in-somerset

[factsoftheforces]

Many elements of the British Armed Forces have deployed to Somerset and other areas of Southern England at current to help protect us against the flooding.

Their ability to respond rapidly and deploy supremely fit men and women all over the country via road and air has give a new line of defence for the thousands at risk from flood waters.

This is an excellent example of the true role of the Armed Forces. They serve to protect us. That does not simply mean fighting on our behalf, it means from anything. They stand ready to put a barrier between us and the elements when needed and have platforms in standby to commit to rescues given they also handle search and rescue.

Best of luck to all in the South. Don't be afraid to pick up that phone and request military assistance if you feel you can't get out safely. That's what they're there for.

[factsoftheforces]

The Era of the Astute Approaches

Three Astute submarines sit in a giant construction hall alongside one another, destined for the sea. HMS Anson, the fifth now joins her two sisters as they undergo completion for service in the Royal Navy.

Artful and Audacious flank her. The former of which will launch early this year to join HMS Astute and HMS Ambush (Possibly one of the most appropriately named submarines ever) that are already in service.

The seven Astute classes are of the top tier in the world's submarines and mark over a decade of development. They have gone up against the world's leading submarine, the US Virginia class and come away as equals. Part of it stemming from their world beating sonar and being one of only two classes of submarine to combine the advantages of a diesel electric submarine with nuclear propulsion.

Once in service they will carry out sea and land attack missions, confident in the knowledge that even in the foreseeable future, no country has anything on the cards yet that could match Astute or Virginia in their ability.

[factsoftheforces]

Taranis takes to the skies!

The UK's most advanced remotely controlled aircraft ever has finally been properly revealed after its first test flights last year. Now working with the French to create a 50/50 UCAV, the future of aviation is beginning to take shape between an Anglo-Franco deal.

Stealthy, incredibly precise and with some of the alleged best evasion technology and ability to fly in any air traffic conditions (a real problem to most drones) it should be a rather dramatic few years of this thing being developed.

[factsoftheforces]

So where's Facts of the Forces been?

Holidays, project work and sickness take a heavy toll. Especially when another large project nears its climax and my time has to be focused on that.

Unfortunately, the research and time to make a full post might look small in the end, but getting the info and ensuring it is correct is no easy thing. Especially finding great pics! As such, I don't have the time to create the large posts any more.

However, don't think that means to end of it. Free of large scale requirement, what I intend to do is post small bitesize info-facts with whatever awesome pictures I find to throw out at a time. I'll still do big posts when and where I feel I have time to do one. I shall also be reblogging other news sites now about the work the UK military does.

You'll still get all your content, just a little more spread out over time.

I do hope you all enjoy.

[factsoftheforces]

Facts of the Forces Creator is sick/busy

Things will be slow over the holiday season, sudden sickness and 10 hour shifts every day make article making hard.

Things will resume soon. Thank you for the quick uptake on the blog!

[factsoftheforces]

RAF Chinook Aids Middlesbrough Flooding Effort

The sea defences at Middlesbrough burst as the storms his the UK this week, causing significant flooding. In an immediate response, RAF Odiham despached a massive Chinook heavy helicopter to assist. Carrying a full load of personnel from the base, alongside 95 soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment based at Colchester deployed to Southend and Maldon to assist with the evacuation of homes. Furthermore, 60 soldiers from the Light Dragoons based at Swanton Morley deployed to Great Yarmouth to build flood defences at an electrical sub-station.

The provision of Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham as an evacuation rest centre supported by 20 soldiers from 5 Training Regiment Royal Logistic Corps took in 100 civilian evacuees due to the flooding, providing shelter and warm food for them.

In particular the Chinook lifted 30 tons worth of sandbags to help shore up the defences and provided a valuable bulwark across conditions that would hurl lesser helicopters from the air. The massive airframe of the chopper is able to wear it and also move a lot faster than many might expect.

This is an excellent reminder of how our forces stand ready to protect and assist us at home from anything. It doesn't have to be an enemy and their equipment is second to none in the country when it comes to roles like this. Well done to all involved!

(Some information in article relating to units involved was used from the main BAF article here)

[factsoftheforces]

The Great War - A brief look

How to "summarise" such an event? A war that reshaped the global view of war itself in such a way that it took the apocalyptic event of World War 2 in order to mask it to merely being named "World War 1."

For the United Kingdom, as with all countries, the Great War was a shock to the system. Outdated tactics and mentalities met with technology that had outpaced it, resulting in massacres unlike anything that had ever been seen before. For the UK in particular, the Great War was a time when they had to rise to the occasion in ways that humanity never had done before. Thus, it resulted in what could be thought of as the beginning of modern war itself. A birth that was bathed in fire and death, set to create many "firsts" that even today are still with us.

When the immensely convoluted alliance system broke into a colossal war, the UK was brought in on the side of France. This resulted in a shocking change to match the scale required. For the first time in its history, the UK introduced forced conscription in 1916 after two years of war led them to require it. Yet also, it even formed the largest volunteer army in global history until that point in Kitcheners Army, consisting of two million men. It saw the first declaring of "total war" in the UK and the first bombardments of British cities. Life would never be the same, war had come to the home front. A foreshadowing of the devastation that would follow in a few decades time...

Yet as one of the world's major powers, the British rose to the occasion splendidly. The British Expeditionary Force was first deployed, consisting of 400,000 men and they met with early success. The legendary "Mad Minute" became known here when their accurate and rapid rifle fire led many Germans to believe they were being shot at by entire squads of machine guns.Even as trench warfare bogged down and every country involved engaged in pointless mass rushes, the UK did not sit idle. Beginning with 'Little Willie', the UK brought the very first tanks to the warfield with the Mk1 Heavy taking the lead. The first tank battles were fought by the Mk4's (with success to the British) and the tales of these rhomboid juggernauts rolling across 'no-mans land' fill history books as much for their terror inducing presence as their almost laughable reliability. (Not that any country's tanks were any better at the time)

Furthermore, the formation of the Royal Air Force formed, the first independent air force in the world's history. The very first fighter aircraft also took flight, the Vickers F.B.5. While not exactly impressive in a combat role, it was the world's first step to the air-dominance of the modern world. Not to be forgotten was the understated role of the Royal Navy in its blockades and first encounters with submarines as we know them today.

The Great War was many things to the UK in particular. It was the point when they reminded the world that, man for man, they were still a leading force. It was a point for their innovation to shine through in tanks and fighters. It was to show they had the determination and grit to hang on through years of horror.

Yet at the same time...the Great War can also be traced to the 'beginning of the end' for the British Empire and Commonwealth as it was known then. The war cast major financial woes on the UK, especially in the aftermath when they turned from the largest investor in the world to one of its largest debtors. Innumerable men lay dead in bloody wartorn fields as a result of backward tactics and pointless intent. More men died in the Somme than in any other single point in British military history and in a frighteningly short time. They had shown the world their value, but they were not exempt from the same faults shown by every single nation that had engaged in this thoroughly pointless war.

Yet as a legacy, it has left us with a beginning point for the things we so look to today. Much of that legacy falls to the feet of the United Kingdom, its population and its inventors.

However, at the feet of none more so than the young men (and surprisingly large number of women) sent to those nightmarish fields.

We will remember them

[factsoftheforces]

Opinions on trench warfare in the great war/world ward I

"Opinion" on something that large is sort of difficult to quantify. Also potentially extremely divisive. I'll do something on the Great War though. Just going to go do a little research and pic hunting. You'll have something probably by tonight.

[factsoftheforces]

Lynx Battlefield Helicopter

Used by both the Army Air Corps and the Royal Navy and created by AgustaWestland, the Lynx is actually one of the older helicopters in service with the British Armed Forces. However, despite this is is still considered at the leading edge of military helicopters thanks to decades of changes and upgrades since its induction in 1977. Since then, it has entered service in over a dozen militaries worldwide, but none so widely as with the British Armed Forces who have used it for almost everything over the course of its life, with 109 in service. It has formed the backbone of agile utility tasks and become something of a helicopter icon to many.

In the Army Air Corps, which maintains both 50 of the AH-7 variants and 22 of the Mk9a variants, the Lynx has taken part in troop transport, reconnaissance, tank hunting, battlefield support, casualty evacuation and special forces insertion. Capable of mounting TOW Anti-Tank missiles on either side along with gun pods and door gunners, the Lynx can mount a formidable array of weaponry to take on most forms of opposition. In this ‘light gunship’ role, it aided the advance into Iraq, with one well known incident setting one to duel with an Iraqi tank that was hidden in an urban environment. Eventually, this role was replaced by the much more capable AH-1 Apache, permitting the Lynx to fully dedicate to its normal roles of being a utility battlefield and support helicopter.

Within the Royal Navy, they have 37 of the HMA8.CMP variant of the Lynx, focused primarily on anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine operations and maritime utility. However it has also been used to transport Marines ashore and to make cargo lifts for humanitarian operations. Indeed, at the time of writing, there are numerous Lynx’s of the Army Air Corps and Royal Navy performing this very task from the deck of HMS Illustrious in the Philippines. The Lynx is recognised as an lethal maritime attacker having seen service in the Falklands and almost single handed sunk the entirety of Saddam Hussain’s Navy during the Gulf War using the Sea Skua missiles they can mount alongside Torpedoes.

While a fearsome war machine when called for it, the Lynx has numerous advantages that permit it to be an incredible force for peace. With a solid range and almost unparalleled agility (This display is worth the click!) for a helicopter its size, the Lynx is capable of inserting into the most remote and hard to reach places. In this role, it has brought medical aid to areas other aircraft simply could not reach or maneuver into. Much of the Lynx’s technology is so good, that it is being integrated into the helicopter aimed to work alongside it one day, the Westland Wildcat. Technology gained from the Lynx’s development and operation has also went into boosting Civil Helicopter programs for civilian transport and safety.

Furthermore, the Westland Lynx is also the fastest service helicopter on the planet, allowing it to reach the trouble spots at blistering speeds when medical help or emergency supplies are needed anywhere in the UK or abroad to help those in need. Often considered one of the British Armed Forces’ best pieces of equipment, the Lynx is both a dream for many pilots and a salvation for those seeing it arriving to aid them faster than any other helicopter around.

The Lynx that broke the record, ‘G-LYNX’, managed to hit a top speed of over 400kph on a 15km and 25km course in 1986.

As of the end of 2013, this record has yet to be broken.

[factsoftheforces]

There's been a boost of followers lately, so here's the Lynx helicopter reblogged for those who weren't around then.

New article either tonight or tomorrow, a brief overview of what the Great War was to the UK and what it represented and resulted in.

[factsoftheforces]

MQ-9 Reaper Drone

Primary Role: Long Endurance Observation Secondary Role: Precision Strike

Right away, the specific order of roles above should give a very different angle on what we mostly hear about from drones these days.

"Drones" have become a very hot topic in the modern day. "Drone Warfare", "Killer Robots", "Unlawful Remote Control Death." All these terms are thrown around and in the UK it's no different. The acquirement of 10 Reapers caused protests in many places, including outside of RAF Waddington where the control stations are based. (The fact that most of the protesters didn't realise the drones don't actually take off there we'll leave out for now.) All paraenthesised sardonic tone aside, the wary topic of drones is one worth an indepth discussion, but not here. This is simply to do with the UK's Reapers.

Purchased from the USA and originally operated out of the USA by the RAF pilots, the Reaper was intended to support operations in Afghanistan. This is where the biggest change between the UK and USA. While the USA has it drones buzzing anywhere they have interests, the UK has them firmly restricted to Afghanistan only. UK Drones are not flying around in Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan or anywhere. All five in theatre (the remaining five are still being delivered) are publically accounted for in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. To the British Military in the RAF, Reapers are not "assassination strike" devices, but are frontline support assets. It's a totally different role and one that often goes unreported alongside the different policy of foreign users. For example, in UK service, less than 11% of flight missions resulted in a strike and the UK drone fleet is heavily restricted to not fly over urban areas in order to avoid any fear. They operate out on the wider areas and do not launch into urban environments, just the same as any other in theatre air asset.

So what precisely is a Reaper? It's a fairly large UAV (you can see in the pictures above how big it is, many think they're little toys. Not really!) that carries extremely sophisticated surveillance equipment and a payload of armaments for ground strike. They have exceptionally high endurance times, allowing them to circle and area or support a ground infantry unit through an entire patrol for far longer than a Tornado or Apache. As a result, they are an ever watchful companion to many British troops on the ground. As mentioned above surveillance is their primary goal, spotting, tracking and keeping watch on any suspicious movements. Reapers are responsibly for hundreds of "IED spots", where they catch someone planting an IED and either report it, call in support or in some cases, engage themselves. Reapers can loiter around for up to 14 hours (most aircraft can't even loiter for one) before engaging and can take on tasks far too dangerous for any human to embark on. Indeed, upgrades within the USA are already looking possible to upgrade the loiter time to 42 hours.

In this role, Reapers carry Hellfire missiles, 14 of them in total or they can carry 4 Hellfires plus 2 Paveway 500lb bombs. As a result, the predator is extremely precise and capable of engaging even heavily armoured targets like enemy tanks or APC's. Work is ongoing to integrate the Brimstone missile to the Reaper and then sell the idea to the USA, which would bring a massive boost to the UK Defence Economy. They can travel at a fairly pleasant 194MPH but have a large reach of over 1,100 miles. From a home base, they make excellent support elements during times of increased threat.

One of the biggest "criticisms" is this idea of "killer robots." This is, at its core, a complete inaccuracy. Reapers are not AI controlled. They do not think for themselves. Pilots control every move they make and Reapers do not have capability to self-fire. They are exactly like any other plane other than that the pilot is elsewhere. In many ways, they reduce collateral. The reduced stress environment to make decisions in combined with the increased loiter time allows the Reaper time to wait. If collateral is in an area, such as non-combatants, the Reaper can simply wait it out. UK launched Reaper missions have by far the lowest collateral scale of any ISAF airborne element, making them the safest to use within the UK's extremely strict air-to-ground ruling.

An interesting element however is that Reapers do not have civilian traffic flight controls. What this means is they are not legally permitted to operate in, say, the UK's air space. So after Afghanistan the chances are they they will relocate to one of our foreign overseas bases. The other idea that is much more interesting is bringing them home but basing them on the coasts where no planes travel. In this element, they could be put to use as an exceptionally powerful search and rescue platform when not in military operations. The ability to hunt with infrared cameras, NV cameras and HD recording software for downed pilots or stricken boats while using that 14 hour loiter time is a massively attractive prospect. Of course, there is a lot of legal issues surrounding all this. If they were solved however, the Reaper drone could go from being an internationally misunderstood and vilified icon to being an unseen hero and saviour of lives.

As a note, it is the opinion of the writer that whatever nutjob in the US thought calling it a "Reaper" when drones have such bad PR already deserves a firm slap on the wrist. 

[factsoftheforces]

I loved that Jackal write up! If you get time you should do one for another high tech weapon or vehicle. Maybe drones?

Gotten a few questions since noting the blog elsewhere! This was the first I picked but I'll get around to them all as a priority!

In response to this one, I'll make the next one about the UK's Reaper Drones tonight. There's a lot of mistaken knowledge about these things and what they do for the UK Forces compared to what they do for the US Forces, so that will be a valuable one to do while also being fairly high tech.

To others watching. Feel absolutely free to request any sort of thing. From any period of history for British Forces related elements. Any story, tech, battle, war, person, tactic, doctrine, medal...whatever. If I don't know it, I'll research it. Questions always have priority.

Thanks for writing in.

[factsoftheforces]

Jackal 2

Primary Role - Reconnaissance Secondary Roles - Raids, Fire Support, Convoy Protection, Fast Response Unit

Acquired in 2008 after a brief testing period of service with the UK Special Forces, the Jackal is one of the British Army’s newest vehicles that has fast become an iconic sight primarily due to its unique look. Very few countries possess a vehicle of this precise type and after its introduction became a fast favourite of those wanting a little more speed in their patrols! Since 2008, the British Army has acquired 425 of these vehicles and they will see service for many years to come. The technology based in them has also boosted the British economy as our allies have bought into the UK built vehicles.

In Afghanistan they were a regular sight, zipping around convoys, chasing away insurgents and performing daring runs into enemy territory to both reassure the civilian populace, bring aid to them and to recon enemy positions. They were an instant success (albeit with a few teething problems, mentioned below) and are now one of the most beloved vehicles for British soldiers.

Capable of a confirmed 81mph (130km/h) across almost all terrain, the Jackal is a very nimble and speedy vehicle (Wait for the test drive!). It can even do this up extremely steep hills, leading to the Jackal’s “party trick” of rushing up a mountain and taking a commanding position over an area before the enemy knows what’s happening. Designed to cover large distances without losing speed (With a maintainable 49mph rate off road), protect its crew on the way, carry both a good array of weapons and stow the crew’s personnel weaponry the requirements to make it work were somewhat difficult. (The crew are not just vehicle crew but also a ground team, so it must carry even large launchers like the Javelin with ease) On its initial deployment as the Jackal 1, various issues were identified. A lack of ballistic armour, not enough storage space and a main gun that couldn’t fire directly in front were all problems initially located. They didn’t last long however, the Jackal 2 was adapted extremely quickly by manufacturer Supacat. They added extra cargo areas, vastly improved armour and mounted the main gun further forward to enable it to fire without risking hitting the driver. Lastly, the engine was upgraded to take this extra weight without losing any speed.

Additional handy tricks this vehicle has is a rather unique suspension. With fully independent double wishbone, air operated springs and external bypass shock absorbers (2 per wheel station) combined with variable ride height the Jackal can take any terrain in ways that may not even be believed. In addition, it has a self sealing fuel tank. If it gets shot, then it will simply seal up its own hole! Throwing in night vision compatibility, smoke grenade launchers and GPS too gives the Jackal a real high tech edge over a simple jeep. It also has the classic British boiling vessel to make hot food and drink within the vehicle itself. This might seem simply for a little comfort, but on long deep recon missions the ability to get hot food without needing to risk a fire is a very important ability! Furthermore, being open topped it is not only safer against IEDs (you are thrown clear rather than mushed inside) it also helps the crew see and crucially…engage with the local civilian populace face to face in a much more friendly way.

One might ask, ‘But it’s open topped! Surely the crew is exposed to all sorts of harm!’ The answer is that this vehicle is deceptive. The 5 crew members sit very low in it, (The turret gunner has a seat he can drop to) with the armour plate raising to just below eye level. As a result, it functions as cover they can drop below any time. It also has a significantly armoured belly with a V-shaped hull to resist IED and mine blasts alongside blast-protected seats. However its main protection is the aforementioned speed. The Jackal engages on its terms. Should it be at a disadvantage, 81mph will get them out of there in the blink of an eye. Lastly, its main weapons are quite long ranged for its form of combat. The Jackal is not an urban warfare vehicle. It sticks to its hills, mountains and plains. Jackals are well known to evade IEDs because they can go anywhere without being restricted to predictable routes.

Officially known also as a MWMIK (Mobility Weapon Mounted Installation Kit…no we don’t know either), the Jackal carries two primary weapons. A 7.62mm machine gun on the front (GPMG) and usually either an M2 Browning heavy machine gun or Heckler and Koch Grenade Machine Gun in the main turret. The other crew can also use their own personnel weapons from within such as assault rifles, sharpshooter rifles and grenade launchers. Heavier machine guns can also be braced on multiple sides as well.

Light, agile, speedy, heavily armed and well protected, the Jackal is an excellently balanced vehicle. The sight of them bounding across the terrain is something to behold. Moreso when they can cover an entire infantry advance from strategic locations or chase an enemy down. They truly are a vehicle in the vein of the classic SAS Long Range Desert Patrol Group from WW2’s desert raiding missions.

However it is not only of use for warfighting by seeking out and engaging the enemy. Within campaigns for hearts and minds, the Jackal is a much more approachable vehicle for those nervous of a foreign military force. Furthermore, it is also fast enough to check up on the civilian populace in outlying areas that may be off the beaten track for heavier vehicles. In a humanitarian operations, a Jackal is by far the fastest way to get a medic or an engineer somewhere if air transport isn’t an option.

To give an idea of how fast this vehicle really is, during Armed Forces Day 2013 in Glasgow, an Audi driver challenged a Jackal to a little drag race up St. Vincent Street away from George Square.

The 6-ton Jackal left the Audi in its dust.

[factsoftheforces]

Someone sent an anonymous question asking if I would do a write up on the Jackal recon vehicle. Already did! So here it is, reblogged again for your reading.

[factsoftheforces]

Hawk Jet Trainer

First flown in 1974 and created by Hawker-Siddeley, the Hawk jet trainer has been the mainstay of the British trainer fleet for that entire time and has seen successive upgrades to keep it at the forefront of training plane technology since. Replacing the Folland Gnat in service, the Hawk was actually brought into service not just as a trainer but also an affordable light combat aircraft. Not commonly known, the Hawk can equip weaponry and during the Cold War, was kept as a hasty move to put more aircraft into the air. Their role would have been to stay away from the primary "furballs" of dogfights and launch missiles from afar, using the radars of more dedicated combat aircraft like the Tornado F3 to target for them. Thankfully, such a desperate tactic was never required against the Soviet Unions swarms of jets and they settled in to become the UK's most iconic trainer.

If this had happened though, the Hawks can be equipped with a compatible radar, 30mm ADEN cannon pods and even Sidewinder missiles.

However in its training role the Hawk was to prove a world leader in terms of capability. Capable of accepting many different components to account for decades worth of aircraft, many generations of British pilots can all trace their skills to this little gem of a plane. Capable of Mach 0.88 that can increase to Mach 1.15 when in a dive, it can also train for supersonic flight along with heartpounding turns with its rather impressive +9G turning allowance. To give a manner of comparison, the frontier fighter jets like Typhoon, Rafale and F-22 Raptor are also limited out at +9G. 

It should come as no surprise then that the Hawk was selected as the plane for the famous Red Arrows, the RAF's premier display team. While they will be discussed in more depth later on, they have made the Hawk into an icon with their distinctive red colouring...so much so that the black Hawks in training often tend to get surprised looks. Not many see them looking like that.

However, these jets can be seen everywhere. They have been the UK's most successful jet aircraft since the legendary Harrier with many countries adapting them for their own use. Against its rival, the French Alpha-Jet trainer, the Hawk battled for export sales over many decades and solidly won most of them, bringing money into the UK from sales and economic production boosts. It continues to sell to this day and as of current over 900 airframes have been constructed. Countries using them include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Finland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Zimbabwe and even the United States themselves uses a modified version called the T-45 Goshawk. In addition to that, many countries have also used the Hawk throughout history.

The Hawk continues to sell in its new "T2" version, with Saudi Arabia and Oman looking to repurchase the new one. The United States with it's T-X jet trainer program also lists the Hawk T2 as one of the potential outcomes.

In the past, present and into the future, the Hawk continues to be a lasting and reliable jet trainer for the UK...alongside a powerful economic success for the UK's industry.

[factsoftheforces]

RFA Argus

One of the largest ships in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, RFA Argus is also one of its most peculiar. The only ship of its class and weighing in at a colossal 28,081 tonnes, Argus is officially coined as an Aviation Training and Casualty Receiving ship, with the latter role being her most important.

Argus was not actually build for military service. She began life as a cargo ship named the MZ Contender Bezant, Come 1982, she was requisitioned for the Falklands War and subsequently purchased outright, making her one of the oldest ships still serving with the British fleets. While not officially termed a "hospital ship" by the Geneva Convention (because she carries defensive armaments) Argus is equipped with a fully fleshed out hospital on board. With a CT Scanner, x-ray facility, 20 ICU beds and over 100 other beds amongst its significant equipment. The entire hospital area is maintained on a quick escape area near a huge 50 person lift, in order to better evacuate the ship in the event of any threat to the patients on board.

So precisely why is she armed, then? The primary reason is simple, many of the likely foes she would sail against would not actually care about the rules and would likely fire at her, Geneva Convention or not. In a world when people are using chemical weapons and terrorism is rampant, the RFA elected to forgo the official title "hospital ship" and give her some defences against the worst happening. In this sense, she has two 20mm cannons and an assortment of 7.62mm GPMGs to protect against anyone approaching her that she doesn't want. This can also be used to ward off small scale attackers such as pirates, when Argus deploys to rescue a civil ship that is under attack.

RFA Argus also has a role an an aviation training ship. Owing to her massive rear deck, she can handle many helicopters of all shapes and sizes, using the rear funnel to simulate a smaller frigate size for training on shortened landings. She can embark almost half a dozen helicopters all by herself, making her something of a small scale auxiliary helicopter carrier should the situation call for a mass helicopter operation. For example, in supporting a widespread humanitarian effort as a mothership or by landing huge Chinooks evacuating nationals from a wartorn country. Of course, this can also allow her to carry more helicopters needed to a warzone, spreading them out between ships. A lesson learned harshly in the Falklands with the loss of the Atlantic Conveyor.

With 120 medical personnel on board though, by far her most common deployment is on medical support and in acting as a mothership for relief and combined protection operations. RFA Argus, as befits her hospital aboard, is most definitely one of the most civilian focused ships in the fleet. Able to support, care and save lives by quite literally deploying a full hospital to anywhere on the globe, the role is one not to be underestimated. As of 2013, she is still 'passing with flying colours' when it comes to the medical sector for both wounded in action personnel and for embarked civilians from a disaster.

RFA Argus has also been involved in combat against the zombie hordes within the movie, World War Z. (As can be seen in the photoset above)

It is perhaps indisputable that seeing her for a 5 second shot was the best thing about that movie.

[factsoftheforces]

British Military Funding for Prosthetic Advancements

One of the areas that is most commonly overlooked for the defence spending is that of medical technology. The UK puts millions of its defence budget into developing or incentivising progression in the health sector to better aid their men and women injured in the line of duty. Most predominantly in aiding against IED injuries. Lost limbs of which are some of the most severe.

In this case, developments like the new legs found in the video above, as reported by "British forces News" (Who are, hands down, the best source for British military news on the internet, by the way) that brings so much more movement back to personnel who might have been immobilised for life while serving their country.

But the crucial factor is, these developments are not military exclusive. While initially too expensive to be picked up by say, the NHS, this driving of technology is what helps create those first steps into elements that come into the public market. In this sense, what you see in military funded healthcare is very often a "look into the future" as to what will happen in public healthcare very soon. The military shares all advances in medical technology with the NHS at the very least.

To be a little more personal here as a writer. My father was put in for an operation not too long ago. No need to go into detail, but it involved a length hospital stay afterward. In the past, patients would be doped on morphine for weeks on end to cover the pain of post-operation stress and healing. This left them woozy, sick, unable to focus and often created dangerous psychological side effects not to mention pain when the effect wore off and had to be readministered.

However, after he came out of the operation, they hooked him up to a new development. An anesthetic drip was fed into him like an IV drip, except it was directed purely to a small set of nerves. The result? Numb from the chest down without any pain or regular drugs required. They could maintain the levels and no variation was needed as it simply numbs the nerves that carry the signals to the brain. It's much less risky and allows for much faster recovery while keeping the patient happy.

This development stemmed very recently from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, where British Army Surgeons pioneered it for use. TA Medics on deployment brought the technique home with them to their civilian jobs in the NHS. Funded by the military and then brought to the public to benefit tens of thousands every year. From a base in a foreign deployment to our home soil.

It is now standardised for post-ops across the country.

Hopefully, soon those who suffer limb damage may see these new technologies in the video being carried over too, courtesy of our armed forces developmental centres.

[factsoftheforces]

RFA Wave Knight sends Drug Runners to Jail

While handling one of the worlds primary trafficking routes in the Caribbean RFA Wave Knight, one of the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries refueling tankers, encountered and stopped a drug shipment. Yugool Persaud and Desmond Wilson – both from Guyana – had stored around 2 tonnes of cannabis in their fishing vessel, the Miss Tiffany.

Cruising at 18 knots, the huge ship caught up to them fairly easily, demonstrating her surprising cornering speed for a ship of her size to surprise the drug runners. As she closed, they began throwing bales overboard. Approximately 60% of their load was recovered or captured however,  with 1.2 tonnes fished our or seized on board. The US Coast Guard detachment on board used one of Wave Knight's deployable "Rhibs" (inflatable fast boats) to speed out and capture the vessel.

For those wondering why the US Coast Guard did this, it's because the Caribbean is their territory. We assist them in it because what gets smuggled to America also gets smuggled here. As such, the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries support as large motherships for counter-narcotics operations are entirely beneficial to both our countries. The American Coast Guard briefly take "command" of the ship, flying a US flag while the seizure takes place. Afterwards they relinquish "command" again. It is a curious little process, allowing the ship to be used for implementing American lawful authority.

In all, the haul was worth £6.4 million. The two men caught face a maximum punishment of life behind bars in a US jail when sentenced in February after they were found guilty of two counts of violating America’s Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act.

RFA Wave Knight however, will remain vigilant on her duty of protecting the United Kingdom from illegal smuggling.