Royal Air Force News Friday, August 7, 2026 P3
News HAWK T2
Chiefs eye new Hawk
AEROSPACE GIANTS BAE, Boeing and Saab have signed an agreement to collaborate on a next-generation pilot trainer to replace the RAF’s Hawk T1 and T2 aircraft, due to be retired from service by 2030. Showcasing its new T-7 Red Hawk at Farnborough, BAE revealed the design will be powered by the same engine used by the F-18 and will feature open architecture with touchscreens to create air-to-air and surface-toair threats from the cockpit.
STAR PERFORMERS: From left, Natalie Diamond, Mark Iliffe and Taylor Thomson
CARE HOME driver Mark Iliffe is teaming up with colleagues for a marathon bid to support the charity which cared for his RAF veteran dad during the last years of his life. The 57-year-old Royal Star and Garter worker will be running with his son Joe and colleagues Natalie Diamond and Taylor Thomson in the Windsor Half Marathon next month. The former recruitment specialist added: “Dad was a bit of a character and everybody knew him. When I came to see him, I was struck at how appropriate the care was. “They knew what he enjoyed, what he loved and what made him happy. “I owe the job to him, I feel he opened this door for me, and I feel grateful to him. “I’d never worked in a care home before, but when I saw the job advert, I thought how good it would be to be part of the team that provided such great care for Dad.”
Marham causes a buzz with Royal sweetener ROYAL VISIT: HM King Charles chats to personnel before being presented with a jar of Marham’s exclusive ‘Buzz Lightning’ honey, produced by bees from the station’s hives
Simon Mander THE KING got a royal sweetener when he visited Marham as its Honorary Air Commodore. His Majesty accepted a jar of ‘Buzz Lightning’ honey made by the Norfolk station’s own bees and named in honour of its F-35B fleet. During the visit, he was shown one of the stealth fighters and met personnel on air defence sorties who helped hunt Iranian drones heading for RAF Akrotiri, and those who took part in Nato drills aboard the UK Carrier Strike Group earlier this year. During the visit, His Majesty formally opened one of RAF
Marham’s new Junior Ranks Barrack Blocks. He was accompanied throughout the visit by the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Lady Dannatt, who met families in the garden of the air base’s Sandringham Centre family hub. Marham Station Commander Gp Capt Leonie Boyd said: “With the station celebrating its 110th anniversary, this visit felt particularly special, reflecting Marham’s long and proud connection with the Royal Family throughout its history.”