THE Red Arrows red, white and blue smoke trails are going green to save the planet, HOAR can reveal.
The Ministry of Defence has quietly asked private industry to help make the famous jet engine vapour displays less polluting.
The Red Arrows fly two-seater Hawk T1 jets with a top speed of 645 mph and delight millions with their colourful displays – but it comes with a cost to the environment.
Currently red or blue dye is mixed with dirty diesel before being injected into the scorching exhaust to make the famous smoke streams.
But now top military boffins want to replace the diesel with a green friendly replacement solvents within months.
In March the RAF vowed to go net-zero within 19 years.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the Chief of the Air Staff, publicly vowed to do all he could “to be the first net-zero air force by 2040”.
On Monday the MoD published call to arms to help create an “environmentally friendly coloured smoke dye and a diesel solvent alternative for aerobatic displays.”
It explains: “For the display aircraft to produce coloured smoke during display, dye is mixed with a solvent and stored on a pod attached to the aircraft.
“This mixture is then injected into the hot exhaust of the jet engine whilst in flight to produce the coloured smoke.
“In order to be at the forefront of initiatives that reduce waste, conserve energy and promote the environment, the MoD are seeking coloured smoke dyes and alternative solvents that minimise the impact on the environment while maintaining a high level of performance.”
Last night an RAF source said: “As global ambassadors for Britain and the RAF, the Red Arrows look for excellence in all they do, for them to consider use environmentally friendly smoke dye, shows they are continuing to lead the field.
“Always Red White and Blue, the addition of green credentials is a great thing”.
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