Shadows to Disappear

摘要

While the recent British Strategic Defence and Security Review outlined the retirement of No.5 Squadron's Raytheon Sentinel Rls - after the UK relinquishes its role in Afghanistan -it made no mention of the unit's other aircraft, the Hawker Beechcraft Shadow Rl. The Shadow Rls are assigned to Shadow Flight of No.5 Squadron. The four examples of the intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft currently in service are due to be joined a fifth (ZZ504, c FM-48), which is being completed at the manufacturer's facility in Wichita, Kansas. However, the type's service career with the RAF is likely to be short, as the fleet will also be withdrawn after the need for the ISTAR role in Afghanistan ends.