A national asset

This year is an important one for the nation and the aerospace world as it marks 100 years since the first independent air force was formed. We congratulate the RAF in its centenary year and salute its service to the nation’s security and its promotion of UK values throughout the world.

Inevitably as a company very much involved in aerospace, the evolution of BAE Systems in the UK and its predecessor companies has been intertwined with the development of the RAF and the technology the force has needed. Since the early days, with the production of the RAF’s first fighter aircraft — the Sopwith Snipe building on the success of the earlier Royal Flying Corp Camel —and now with Typhoon, BAE Systems has worked side by side with the RAF to provide a sovereign aircraft capability which protects the nation. We are proud that engineers at historic companies such as Supermarine, Avro, Hawker, Vickers, Bristol, English Electric, De Havilland and Marconi designed and built many of the aircraft, radar systems and head-up displays used by the RAF in the past century and we endeavour to continue this innovative spirit.