Katerina Swanson
The Red Arrows are the Royal Air Force's aerobatic team, which first flew in 1965. The team has used BAE Systems Hawk jets since 1980, which are powered by Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 861 turbofans, producing 5700lb of thrust. The Hawk's fuel capacity sets a limit on the non-stop flight distance, and the aircraft is incapable of air-to-air refuelling, which can make long flights between display sites challenging. In 2025, the Red Arrows began using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for their displays, marking a significant step towards reducing the team's environmental impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | Diesel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) |
| Fuel capacity | 318 litres |
| Fuel tank | Ventral 318Itr tank containing diesel oil as well as red and blue dye |
| Fuel usage | The RAF Red Arrows will use SAF at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo |
| Fuel source | Used cooking oil, animal fats, agricultural and forestry residues, municipal waste |
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What You'll Learn
The Red Arrows' use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force's aerobatic team, have been fuelling their jets with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) during their 2025 season. The team made history with their first flight using SAF during a flypast over London on 14 June 2025, for HM King Charles. This was also the first time that a national aerobatic squadron had used a blend of SAF and a renewable biofuel, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), to produce its trademark vapour trails. SAF is typically made from waste-based low-carbon feedstocks, reducing lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
The Red Arrows' use of SAF is part of the RAF's commitment to adopting low-emission alternatives and decreasing their reliance on fossil fuels. The RAF has been steadily advancing its testing of SAF on military aircraft, with a major milestone reached in 2022 when an RAF Voyager became the first large military aircraft to complete a flight powered entirely by 100% SAF. The RAF has since expanded its SAF trials to include air-to-air refuelling missions and routine training missions with a blend of SAF and conventional jet fuel.
The Red Arrows' SAF-powered flypast over London was followed by their use of SAF during the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), where they performed aerobatic displays using both SAF and HVO. The RAF's Typhoon display team also made history by performing a full routine using SAF at the 2024 RIAT. The Red Arrows' Senior Engineering Officer, Squadron Leader Andy King, who led the pioneering fuels project, highlighted the ease of adopting SAF and the team's intention to explore further opportunities to use SAF at other events.
The Red Arrows' use of SAF demonstrates the RAF's commitment to new technology, energy security, and sustainability. It showcases the potential for alternative fuel sources to enhance operational resilience without compromising performance. The RAF aims to reduce its dependence on global fossil fuel supply chains and strengthen its operational capabilities in a volatile world. The adoption of SAF by the Red Arrows and the RAF is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for military aviation.
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The Hawk's fuel capacity and inability to refuel in the air
The Red Arrows use the BAE Systems Hawk, which is a two-seater jet used for advanced pilot training. The Hawk's fuel capacity sets a limit on the nonstop flight distance, and it is incapable of air-to-air refuelling. This means that very long flights between display sites are broken up into multiple legs, with stops in between to refuel. For example, a flight from RAF Scampton to Quebec was completed in seven hops.
The Hawk's fuel capacity limits the distance that can be covered in a single journey. This restriction means that certain locations are impractical or impossible to reach. For instance, displays in New Zealand are unlikely because there is no nearby land for the Hawk to land and refuel on the way.
The Hawk's inability to refuel in the air also impacts the team's display locations. The Red Arrows' smoke trails, which are made by releasing diesel into the exhaust, require a significant amount of fuel. The diesel is stored in a pod on the underside of the plane, which houses three tanks: one 50-imperial-gallon (230-litre) tank of pure diesel and two 10-imperial-gallon (45-litre) tanks of blue and red-dyed diesel. The use of diesel for the smoke display further reduces the Hawk's maximum distance, as the fuel used for the smoke display cannot be used for propulsion.
The Hawk's range limitation has been a factor in several incidents involving the Red Arrows. In one instance, a Hawk hit a yacht mast during an air show in Brighton, and the pilot was forced to eject. In another incident, a Hawk crashed into the sea off the coast of Devon due to an engine failure. These incidents highlight the importance of carefully managing the Hawk's fuel capacity and the inability to refuel in the air.
While the Hawk's fuel capacity and inability to refuel in the air present certain challenges and restrictions, the Red Arrows have successfully operated within these limitations for decades, becoming one of the world's leading aerobatics teams.
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The fuel used to create the Red Arrows' smoke trails
The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force's aerobatic team, have traditionally used diesel to create their smoke trails. Each aircraft carries a ventral 318-litre tank containing diesel oil as well as red and blue dye, which is divided into separate compartments. The smoke is produced by releasing the diesel into the exhaust, where it vaporises and then re-condenses into fine droplets that give the appearance of a white smoke trail.
However, in recent years, the Red Arrows have started to transition to more sustainable fuels. In 2025, during the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the UK's largest airshow, the team used Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and a renewable biofuel called Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to create their vapour trails. This marked the first time an aerobatic team had performed using these sustainable fuels.
SAF has been trialled by the Royal Air Force since 2020 and is made from a variety of renewable and waste-based feedstocks, including used cooking oil, animal fats, agricultural and forestry residues, and even municipal waste. The use of SAF is part of the RAF's efforts to reduce dependence on global fossil fuel supply chains, enhance energy security, and strengthen operational resilience.
While some have expressed skepticism about the sustainability of aviation fuel, the transition to SAF and renewable biofuels is a positive step towards reducing the environmental impact of aircraft, allowing traditional aircraft engines to continue in service without impacting climate change commitments.
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The cost of fuel for the Red Arrows displays
The Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force's aerobatic team, have been wowing audiences with their displays since 1965. The team's nine jets are usually diesel-fuelled, with each aircraft carrying a ventral 318-litre tank of diesel oil, as well as red and blue dye for their smoke trails.
In recent years, the Red Arrows have begun transitioning to more sustainable fuels, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). These fuels are made from renewable and waste-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and agricultural residues. While the use of these sustainable fuels may have an impact on the cost of fuel for the Red Arrows displays, it is not clear if this will result in a net increase or decrease in fuel costs.
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The fuel tank capacity of the Red Arrows' aircraft
The Red Arrows are the Royal Air Force's aerobatic team, which first flew in 1965. The team's aircraft have a fuel tank capacity of 318 litres, containing diesel oil as well as red and blue dye. The dye is stored in separate compartments and is pumped into three jet pipe nozzles where it is vaporised to produce the smoke displays the Red Arrows are known for.
The fuel capacity of the Red Arrows' aircraft, the Hawk, limits the maximum nonstop flight distance. The Hawk is also incapable of air-to-air refuelling, which means that very long flights between display sites are broken up into multiple hops. For example, a flight from RAF Scampton to Quebec was completed in seven hops.
In 2025, the Red Arrows began using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) during displays. The RAF has been trialling SAF since 2020, and it is hoped that sustainable fuels will allow traditional aircraft engines to continue to be used for decades without impacting climate change commitments. SAF is made from renewable and waste-based feedstocks, including used cooking oil, animal fats, agricultural and forestry residues, and municipal waste.
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