The roles of our Weapon Systems Officer are as varied as our aircraft with the field of Intelligence, Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance offering the most opportunities. You will be streamed to an aircraft type and role according to operational requirements and your ability. You will then specialise in that aircraft type for the initial part of your career. As a Weapons Systems Officer, your primary role could be to manage complex sensors and weapons during operational missions whilst gathering intelligence and supporting forces on the ground.
Aircrew Weapon Systems Officer CURRENTLY RECRUITING
As a Weapon Systems Officer you will manage the sensors and weapons of a particular aircraft during operational missions, whilst at the same time gathering intelligence and supporting forces on the ground.
Minimum Average Pay During First Year £30,000+ + Benefits
Pay after Specialist Training £42,000+ + Benefits
Is this for you?
APPLICANTS MUST:
- Be aged 17.6 - 24 years old (Must enter IOT before 25th birthday)
- Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language, Maths and at least three other subjects
- Have at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship Studies) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points
- Must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any other nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) with the exception of dual British Irish citizens
- Must have resided in the UK for at least 7 years immediately preceding application
- Your parents/spouse must currently have UK citizenship
- Commit to 12 years of service
- Pass a Fitness test - Details below
- Candidates must be able to swim - see details below
GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:
- Aircraft
- Gaming & Computers
- Analysis and maths
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage a mission crew of highly capable Weapon System Operators
- Track submarines or enemy ships
- Provide long-range search-and-rescue or operate overland in support of combat operations
You could also be managing a mission crew of highly capable Weapon Systems Operators. In a multi-engine maritime patrol aircraft, you would track submarines or enemy ships, provide long-range search-and-rescue or operate overland in support of combat operations. With experience, you may become an instructor and train another RAF aircrew.
WHY JOIN THE RAF?
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
- Rent from £75p/m
- Free gym
- World travel
- Subsidised food
- Health care
TRAINING YOU'LL RECEIVE
INITIAL TRAINING
As an officer, you will begin your RAF career by completing the Initial Officer Training Course at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You will complete a challenging modular 24-week course, split into 4 distinct terms designed to develop your robustness, fitness, leadership and academic skills through a number of indoor and outdoor exercises across the UK.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
Your specialist training would begin with a one-week course at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire to learn how the human body reacts to the airborne environment. You would then have a comprehensive academic package covering aircraft and mission systems as well as aviation related subjects to prepare you for basic flying training.
This training over the next 9 months will be a combination of live flying, utilising the Avenger aircraft at RNAS Culdrose, and simulators to demonstrate proficiency in managing an array of aircraft systems. You would then progress to an Operational Conversion Unit for up to 6 months on the aircraft to which you have been assigned.

PROFESSION (AIRCREW)
Weapons System Officer is part of the Aircrew Profession within the RAF which also includes Pilot, Pilot (ISR) RPAS and Weapons Systems Operator. Professions in the RAF are distinct areas of defence expertise where common skills and attributes are required to deliver on demand.
Service Personnel may be employed within any of the specialisations in their Profession depending on their aptitude, qualifications, career aspirations and the Service need.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ALL APPLICANTS MUST:
Must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any other nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) with the exception of dual British Irish citizens.
Be between 17.5 and 24 years old. (Must attest before 25th birthday)
To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 meters without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool. All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.
NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY
Must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any other nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) with the exception of dual British Irish citizens.
You must have resided in the UK for 7 years immediately prior to application.
Your parents/spouse must currently have UK citizenship.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.
The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:
- 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
The second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This consists of the following:
- Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).
MEN - 100% pass rates: | ||||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 11.39 | 9.03 | 20 | 35 |
17-29 | 11.11 | 9.10 | 20 | 35 |
30-34 | 11.36 | 9.04 | 19 | 32 |
35-39 | 12 | 8.09 | 18 | 29 |
40-44 | 12.26 | 8.03 | 17 | 26 |
WOMEN - 100% pass rates: | ||||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 13.54 | 6.07 | 10 | 32 |
17-29 | 13.23 | 7.02 | 10 | 32 |
30-34 | 13.47 | 6.08 | 9 | 29 |
35-39 | 14.13 | 6.04 | 8 | 26 |
40-44 | 14.48 | 5.08 | 7 | 23 |
You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:
You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:
RAF MSFT: Intro
RAF MSFT: Bleep Test
You can see a video demonstration of the PRTC Fitness Test here:
To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 meters without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool. All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:
There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:
- Body Mass Index requirements:
Age |
Male and female minimum |
Male and female maximum |
Male maximum with additional assessment |
Female maximum with additional assessment |
18 + |
18 |
28 |
32 |
30 |
16 to < 18 |
17 |
27 |
27 |
27 |
- Calculate your BMI now, click here.
- Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.
Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.
DURING YOUR APPLICATION:
The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
YOU MUST:
- Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
- Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
- Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance
DISQUALIFYING FACTORS
YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:
- Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
- Are waiting to appear in court, or have spent or unspent convictions that may be excluded from certain roles
- Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
- Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted - Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
- Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt
Beard Policy:
A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).
The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.