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Avro Vulcan XH558 over Farnborough, 2015 | |
Role | Strategic bomber |
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National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Avro Hawker Siddeley Aviation |
First flight | 30 August 1952 |
Introduction | September 1956 |
Retired | March 1984 (Royal Air Force)October 2015 (XH558) |
Status | Retired |
Primary user | Royal Air Force |
Produced | 1956–1965 |
Number built | 136 (including prototypes) |
Developed into | Avro Atlantic (proposed) |
The Vulcan B.1 was first delivered to the RAF in 1956; deliveries of the improved Vulcan B.2 started in 1960. The B.2 featured more powerful engines, a larger wing, an improved electrical system, and electronic countermeasures, and many were modified to accept the Blue Steel missile. As a part of the V-force, the Vulcan was the backbone of the United Kingdom's airborne nuclear deterrent during much of the Cold War. Although the Vulcan was typically armed with nuclear weapons, it could also carry out conventional bombing missions, which it did in Operation Black Buck during the Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina in 1982.
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Armament | 1 × free-fall nuclear bomb or 21 × 1,000 lb (450 kg)conventional bombs |
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Although in operational use, the Vulcan typically carried various nuclear armaments, the type also had a secondary conventional role. While performing conventional combat missions, the Vulcan could carry up to 21 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs inside its bomb bay.
The Vulcan's only combat missions took place towards the end of the type's service in 1982. During the Falklands War.
The missions performed by the Vulcan became known as the Black Buck raids, each aircraft had to fly 3,889 mi (6,259 km) from Ascension Island to reach Stanley on the Falklands. Victor tankers conducted the necessary air-to-air refuelling.