The Weapons Britain Could Use Against IS

RAF Tornado GR4's at RAF Akrotiri Cyprus being armed with the Paveway IV Laser Guided Bomb. Pic: MoD.
MPs are expected to approve airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria in a vote on Wednesday.
If the green light is given, military action could begin within days.
But what sort of weapons are at Britain's disposal?
:: Brimstone missiles
RAF Tornado GR4
An RAF Tornado GR4 equipped with Brimstone missiles
A rocket-propelled, radar guided weapon that could be used to hit smaller targets - such as vehicles at long range.
A tandem charge warhead is detonated upon impact to ensure penetration of armour.
Parts of the RAF are already equipped to fly with the missiles and they were used when Tornado fighter-bombers carried out airstrikes on IS targets in Iraq.
:: Paveway IV bombs
Tornado GR4 Prepares for Takeoff to Support UN Sanctioned No Fly Zone over Libya
The same aircraft, equipped with both Paveway bombs and Brimstone missiles
These laser-guided bombs have been used to attack key IS locations, including recently in northern Iraq.
The air-to-surface weapon offers improvements on older weapons, such as improved accuracy.
It does not need maintenance, has a higher resistance to GPS jamming and a lower cost.
:: Stormshadow missiles
Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 Aircraft from 617 Squadron with Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles
Another RAF Tornado GR4, with Stormshadow missiles
Described as "arguably the most advanced weapon of its kind in the world" by the RAF, the cruise missiles were used during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The long-range air-launched missiles feature an integrated GPS to navigate their way to targets at low level.
The RAF's Tornado GR4 can usually carry a handful of Paveway IV bombs or two Stormshadow "bunker busters", which could be dropped on IS buildings or compounds.
:: Tomahawk cruise missiles
Royal Navy Submarine HMS Astute Fires a Tomahawk Cruise Missile (TLAM) During Testing Near the USA
HMS Astute fires a Tomahawk cruise missile during testing
These would be launched from Royal Navy attack submarines, which have been equipped with the missiles since the late 1990s.
The missiles have a range of well over 1,000 miles and can be redirected to a new target whilst in the air.
They can also beam back images to the submarine.
:: Drones
Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System
A Royal Air Force Reaper drone at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan
Unmanned drones currently deployed in Afghanistan could be redirected to attack targets in Syria.
The UK has a number of Reaper drones, which can be used for reconnaissance and ground attack missions.
In October, David Cameron announced the Government would double the number of drones in the British fleet by buying 20 Protectors and scrapping the existing Reaper model.
However, the drones may just be used for surveillance, gathering information about key targets and IS strongholds, rather than carrying weapons.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Neymar's right: Ronaldo should not be on Ballon d'Or shortlist

Image
 The Portuguese was named along with Lionel Messi and the Brazil forward in the final three to win the prestigious prize, but Luis Suarez can consider himself unlucky to miss out. " Lionel Messi and I are here in Zurich every year," said Cristiano Ronaldo  at the 2015 Ballon d'Or ceremony. And the world's two most famous footballers will be back in Switzerland again to dispute the individual award next January. This time, however, the Portuguese is very fortunate to be named among the final three contenders. The shortlist of three was revealed on Monday and Ronaldo was included alongside heavy favourite Messi and his team-mate Neymar, the Brazilian saying on the eve of the announcement that he believed Barcelona should complete a clean sweep after last season's treble triumph. "I think I do deserve to be [among the finalists] for what I'm doing," he said. "I would be happy if the trident [Messi, Suarez, Neymar] were all in the th
Read more

Chelsea take 'crisis' to a new level

Image
A quarter of the way into this Premier League season, Chelsea have unwillingly advanced the concept of the "bad patch". From their lofty perch of the last decade, they have witnessed plenty of minor wobbles and stumbles. It became more than a mere "blip" -- universally understood to be an anomaly of form that last no longer than three or four games -- when Crystal Palace snatched three points from Stamford Bridge at the end of August. After the blip comes the indeterminate period of the "crisis" -- a term that has long lost its significance in the Premier League era -- but crises are rarely terminal, and a corner is usually turned. So how can we describe Chelsea's dismal 2015/16? From the platform of a comprehensive (if not hugely memorable) title-winning year, they have delivered the capitulation to end all capitulations. Having redefined the art of winning in his first spell as manager, Jose Mourinho has now overseen a painful exhibition in h
Read more

Perez denies Madrid plans to sell Ronaldo

Image
The Merengue supremo assured that his club were not thinking about off-loading the goalscorer, while reacting angrily to reports he had already met with the PSG president Speaking at press conference at which the Real Madrid president gave his full backing to under-fire coach Rafa Benitez, Florentino Perez has denied the club are looking to sell Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer transfer window. The Portuguese star has been continually linked with a move to PSG and a return to the Premier League at the end of the season, but the Blancos supremo moved to quash the rumours. "Those who say I want to sell Cristiano do so in an attempt to destabilise [my position]," the 68-year-old told the press. "It annoys me that journalists said I have been attending any lunch meetings to discuss Ronaldo's sale. "I have never dined with Paris Saint-Germain's president or [Ronaldo's agent] Jorge Mendes to sell Ronaldo. "Those who think I would meet with the p
Read more