British MOD To Sell Off Sentinel R1 Airframes

UK military officials are selling off Royal Air Force Sentinel R1 airframes, reversing previous plans to scrap the surveillance aircraft for parts.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 04:37 PM ET

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A Sentinel R1 aircraft of No 5 (Army Cooperation) Squadron based at RAF Waddington. Courtesy: UK MOD

Key Takeaways:

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is selling its retired Sentinel R1 airframes instead of scrapping them for parts, reversing an earlier plan.
This change of plan came after an unsolicited bid offered better value for money for the taxpayer.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) recently retired its fleet of five Sentinel aircraft earlier this year, stating the capability was no longer needed.
While commercial details are sensitive, reports indicate a consortium including Raytheon USA and Bombardier may acquire the aircraft for the U.S. Army.

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The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) is selling off Sentinel R1 airframes, reversing previous plans to scrap the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) recently retired airborne battlefield and ground surveillance aircraft for parts.

“The UK MOD has signed a sales agreement to deliver Sentinel airframes to a consortium,” a MOD spokesperson confirmed to FLYING in an email. “Details of the agreement are commercially sensitive.”