History UsefulNotes / UltimateDefenceOfTheRealm

These fighters, although still in Indian service, were retired from British service in 2006, it not being deemed cost-effective to upgrade for only six years' more service (i.e. until the YanksWithTanks finally delivered the F-35. Now that it's 2013 and the thing looks nowhere near getting off the ground, Parliament may be regretting this decision). The remaining Harriers are of the GR.7/GR.9 variety.

Started in the closing years of the SecondWorldWar, the second four of these eight planned carriers were cancelled. Due to their design (non-angled flight decks), they proved unable to handle jets and were ultimately converted into "commando carriers", basically amphibious assault ships, before being retired, with one notable exception...

* ''Illustrious'' is hit by a "[[ReportingNames Shipwreck]]" missile in ''RedStormRising''.

* Test launch footage was used in ThePrisoner's final episode, appropriately titled "Fall Out".

* Carried by one Vulcan in the climax of ''Literature/DevilMayCare''- [[spoiler: it does not have to use it]]

The three purpose-built "Harrier Carriers" that entered service in the 1980s- the first seeing service in the Falklands (just after it was proposed to be sold to Australia!). These vessels carried nuclear depth bombs until 1998 and used to carry Sea Dart SAM systems (also removed). Only the Illustious is still in service, due for withdrawal in 2014.

The three purpose-built "Harrier Carriers" that entered service in the 1980s- the first seeing service in the Falklands (just after it was proposed to be sold to Australia!). These vessels carried nuclear depth bombs until 1998 and used to carry Sea Dart SAM systems (also removed). ''Invincible'' is effectively out of service and the other two will soon follow.

Many of the weapons are referred to by their Rainbow Codes, a UK CodeName system.[[hottip:*:A colour and a noun are randomly combined to make a code name, such as 'Blue Streak', to ensure there is no logical connection between weapon and name. This was instituted after Britain's experience fighting the Nazis in World War 2, when Nazi code names were incredibly obvious. For example, a radar system was codenamed 'Wotan', after a one-eyed god in Germanic mythology, meaning British scientists worked out that it was based around a single radar beam and actually developed a countermeasure before the Germans deployed Wotan itself!]]

A modification of the ''Centaur''-design, completed in 1959, this was able to carry Buccaneers and Sea Vixen fighters, but not Phantoms. Converted into a "commando" carrier, then an ASW helicopter carrier, then getting a ski-jump to become a Harrier Carrier, In the last configuration it participated in the Falklands as the flagship of the Task Force, carrying up to 26 Sea Harriers and 4 ground-attack versions--Sandy Woodward[[hottip:*:The Rear Admiral in charge. He's advised on some works of fiction]] commented that losing ''Invincible'' would have been very bad, but losing ''Hermes'' would have ended the war right there.

The current system is getting a bit old and creaky and is due to be replaced around 2020. There is some Parliamentary support for the policy, although not as much as several years ago. Before the 2010 election, both [[BritishPoliticalSystem the Conservatives and Labour]] planned to replace Trident; the existence of the anti-deterrent Liberal Democrats in the current coalition government means that other alternatives are being looked at, such as deferring the decision another few years, or even sharing the weapons with [[TheUltimateResistance the French]].

These fighters, although still in Indian service, were retired from British service in 2006, it not being deemed cost-effective to upgrade for only six years service (i.e. until the F-35 arrival). The remaining Harriers are of the GR.7/GR.9 variety.

The second "V-Bomber" and the longest-lived as its large delta wing was best suited of the three designs for low-altitude flight, although this was by accident as again it was designed to fly higher and faster than contemporary fighters (but once again technology caught up with it). The only time it dropped weapons in anger was also one of the most interesting bomber operations in history: during the Falklands War, the RAF barely had enough time to hastily cancel the Vulcan's retirement, retrain the crews in air-to-air refuelling, and sent them on what was then the longest bombing mission in history, Operation Black Buck, to bomb Argentinian positions on Stanley Island. The modifications necessary for this operation involved tons of engineering improvisation. XH558 has recently been restored to flying condition and has been flying airshows, though it will be permanently grounded in 2013 due to the ruinous costs of its upkeep.

The second "V-Bomber" and the longest-lived as its large delta wing was best suited of the three designs for low-altitude flight, although this was by accident as again it was designed to fly higher and faster than contemporary fighters (but once again technology caught up with it). The only time it dropped weapons in anger was also one of the most interesting bomber operations in history: during the Falklands War, the RAF barely had enough time to hastily cancel the Vulcan's retirement, retrain the crews in air-to-air refuelling, and sent them on what was then the longest bombing mission in history, Operation Black Buck, to bomb Argentinian positions on Stanley Island. The modifications necessary for this operation involved tons of engineering improvisation. One has recently been restored to flying condition and is doing airshows.

* An experimental two-seater Sea Harrier for ASW work features in the novel of ''TheHuntForRedOctober''.

Many of the weapons are referred to by their Rainbow Codes, a UK CodeName system.[[hottip:A colour and a noun are randomly combined to make a code name, such as 'Blue Streak', to ensure there is no logical connection between weapon and name. This was instituted after Britain's experience fighting the Nazis in World War 2, when Nazi code names were incredibly obvious. For example, a radar system was codenamed 'Wotan', after a one-eyed god in Germanic mythology, meaning British scientists worked out that it was based around a single radar beam and actually developed a countermeasure before the Germans deployed Wotan itself!]]

Many of the weapons are referred to by their Rainbow Codes, a UK CodeName system.

Possibly one of the coolest looking aircraft in history, the TSR-2 was to the British equivalent to the US F-111. It got as far as a flying prototype and to all appearances would have been an entirely successful aircraft before it was cancelled, officially due to spiralling costs. Unofficially, there is a conspiracy theory that the US used economic blackmail to ensure its cancellation. The TSR-2 would have been in direct competition with the F-111 for export sales and it looked like was going to end up being faster, more capable and probably cheaper. A generation of British aviation fans resent its loss to this day.

The final member of the "V-Bomber" trio, the Victor was the fastest (in fact the ''only'' supersonic of the V-force, albeit only-just, and even then, not intentionally, but it remained flyable after landing from a supersonic sprint) and most advanced but was edged out in service as a bomber by the Vulcan - allegedly because Handley-Page refused to cooperate with the Government sponsored amalgamation of the British aero-industry. Nevertheless, it was the longest-serving of the trio as a tanker, last seeing action in Desert Storm. Had a distinctive crescent wing design that was once again optimized for high-altitude, high-speed flight, and like the Valiant did not fare too well at low altitudes. The Victor looks so futuristic that tankers stopping over at US air displays have reputedly been mistaken for a new British "stealth bomber."

* A Vulcan and its nuclear warload ends up being the main plot device of the JamesBond film ''{{Thunderball}}''.

* ''TheSpyWhoLovedMe'' features HMS ''Ranger'', a fictional example.

* Three appear in the climax to ''Literature/DevilMayCare''.

[[caption-width-right:350:Yes, that's a bomber.]]

* ''TheSpyWhoLovedMe'' features ''HMS Ranger'', a fictional example.

The successor to the ''Resolution class'', entering service in 1996. Carrying 16 Trident D5 missiles, with a theoretical maximum of 192 warheads. However, what it actually has on board now (which could be as low as 12 sub-strategic warheads) remains classified and the government claims that readiness is now a matter of days rather than minutes. Four built.

!!As-yet-unnamed Vanguard successor, currently dubbed the "Future Deterrent Submarine"

Following that war, it was converted to commando carrier and back again. With ''Invincible'' no longer on the table post-Falklands, Australia was offered ''Hermes'' to replace ''HMAS Melborne'', but declined after the Hawke government was elected in 1983. So they sold it to India instead, where it is nearing the end of its career as ''INS Viraat''.

* ''Illustrious'' is hit by a "Shipwreck" missile in ''RedStormRising''.

A planned pair (at least) of 55,000 ton displacement fleet carriers that would have carried Phantoms and Buccaneers, as a replacement for the ''Centaurs''. They got canned, with the TSR-2, in 1966.

A modification of the ''Centaur''-design, completed in 1959, this was able to carry Buccaneers and Sea Vixen fighters, but not Phantoms. Converted into a "commando" carrier, then an ASW helicopter carrier, then getting a ski-jump to become a Harrier Carrier, In the last configuration it participated in the Falklands as the flagship of the Task Force, carrying up to 26 Sea Harriers and 4 ground-attack versions- Sandy Robinson[[hottip:* :The Rear Admiral in charge. He's advised on some works of fiction]] commented that losing ''Invincible'' would have been very bad, but ''Hermes'' would have ended the war right there.

Less delivery systems, but all noteworthy enough to make this a separate entry. British spy fiction likes to point out sometimes that we aren't totally dependent on the Americans and there are some cool looking platforms in British military history.

Nominal authority for firing missles rests with the Prime Minister, but one of the powers of the Monarchy is the right to veto that (in the event, say, of the PM turning out to be a madman) or take over themselves. Submarine captains also have the authority to launch on their own, due to the historic nuclear threat being from Russia, which is close enough to erase Britain from the map before the sub can receive its orders.

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/800px-Avro_Vulcan_Bomber_RAF.JPEG
[[caption-width:350:Yes, that's a bomber.]]


-->''"We must do it. It's the price we pay to sit at the top-table."''
-->'''WinstonChurchill'''

Intended to be a silo-based deterrent for the UK, with a range of 3,700 kilometres/2,300 miles. Took half an hour to fuel, which with "four-minute warning" et. al, would have been a bit of a problem had it not been silo-based. Went way over budget, was politically unpopular (you have to remember the South-East of England is not Iowa) and not supported by the services. Cancelled in 1960 before a full flight-test. Attempt to use it as part of a space launcher didn't work because the parts that weren't Blue Streak kept not working.

Possibly one of the coolest looking aircraft in history, the TSR-2 was to the British equivalent to the US F-111. It got as far as a flying prototype and to all appearances would have been an entirely successful aircraft before it was cancelled, officially due to spiralling costs. Unofficially, there is a conspiracy theory that the US used economic blackmail to ensure it's cancellation. The TSR-2 would have been in direct competition with the F-111 for export sales and it looked like was going to end up being faster, more capable and probably cheaper. A generation of British aviation fans resent it's loss to this day.

The final member of the "V-Bomber" trio, the Victor was the fastest and most advanced but was edged out in service as a bomber by the Vulcan - allegedly because Handley-Page refused to cooperate with the Government sponsored amalgamation of the British aero-industry. Nevertheless, it was the longest-serving of the trio as a tanker, last seeing action in Desert Storm. Had a distinctive crescent wing design that was once again optimized for high-altitude, high-speed flight, and like the Valiant did not fare too well at low altitudes. The Victor looks so futuristic that tankers stopping over at US air displays have reputedly been mistaken for a new British "stealth bomber."

-->''"We've got to have it and it's got to have a bloody Union Jack on it."''
-->Ernest Bevin

The current government has decided to renew, with no capability upgrade, the Trident system and will order a batch of new subs (three, if this troper recalls correctly) to go with it. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered to cut the missile tube number from 16 to 12, in return US and Russian nuclear reductions. The first will have to be in service by 2024 to ensure that one SSBN is at sea at all times after then- the timetable is ''very'' tight on this.

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