A new aircraft type to Royal Air Force service is to be named the ‘Envoy IV’ in a nod both to its crucial role in defence diplomacy and to previous Envoy aircraft in RAF service.Two new Dassault 900LX aircraft have been purchased to replace the BAe146 aircraft that were withdrawn from Service in March. The new Envoy aircraft will be based at RAF Northolt with No 32 (The Royal) Squadron, initially under contract with Centreline AV Ltd. For the first two years, the aircraft will be operated by mixed crews of RAF and Centreline staff, before upgrading to a full military and operational capability in 2024.
Enhancing our international presence, deepening our current defence relationships, and building new ones, is critical to UK security. The new Envoy aircraft will transport members of the Royal Family, government and military leaders around the world more quickly and efficiently than before. The Envoy can fly further, faster, and more sustainably than the aircraft it replaces.
The name reflects the role of the aircraft in defence diplomacy and relationship building. The original Envoy aircraft in RAF service was known as the Envoy III. It was a twin-engine light transport aircraft, used by the RAF before and during World War 2 in the communications role; one of which served with the ‘King’ s Flight’ – a precursor to today’s No 32 (The Royal) Squadron.
The Envoy I, II and III designators were not the RAF’s - they were the manufacturer’s
. Airspeed made the AS6 Envoy I, the AS6D Envoy II and the AS6E/J/K Envoy III. Further the AS10 variant was known as the Airspeed Oxford in RAF service.
The so-called “Envoy IV” is being built by Dassault - they didn’t even buy Airspeed, so there is no connection between the companies.
Also, is Envoy even the right name? It’s a bit awkward and implies political and diplomatic roles?
What clowns came up with this? What is wrong with Falcon (we don’t have an aircraft called Falcon) and if we did use Envoy then it should be the Envoy CMk 1…