Festive rescue mission: Could the Royal Air Force ever replace Father Christmas?

With Christmas just around the corner, obvious questions begin to arise. 

Not 'have you finished your Christmas shopping?'; we do things a little differently here at BFBS Forces News.

Rather, we asked: Could the RAF ever step in if Father Christmas's sleigh broke down? 

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While the idea of reindeer being grounded by seasonal colds is a tad far-fetched, imagining a military solution is too good to resist.

So we decided to have a little think.

Let's start with the most obvious candidate: The C-17 Globemaster III. 

This heavy-lift giant can carry 45,000 kg of freight over 4,500 miles – that's plenty of room for presents. 

Operated by three crew, it is great for long distances.

Sounds ideal.

Well, until you consider the downsides. 

Its sheer size and noise make it the opposite of Santa's stealthy image. 

Plus, squeezing a C-17 into crowded festive airspace might raise more than a few eyebrows.

So, what about the A400M Atlas? 

Since the decommissioning of the Hercules C-130J, the Atlas has become the RAF's tactical workhorse. 

It can carry a 30-tonne payload over 2,400 nautical miles, with a three-to-four-person crew. 

It excels at short take-offs and landings and can reach remote locations where few aircraft dare to tread. 

Loads can even be delivered by parachute or gravity extraction, ticking off several logistical boxes. 

Still, while it can reach some far-flung places efficiently, circumnavigating the globe while staying ahead of the sunrise remains a tall order.

Maybe a jet would make more sense.

Just for a minute, let’s imagine Santa trading the sleigh for a F-35B Lightning... Very cool!

Sleek, fast, and stealthy, the F-35B can fly at speeds up to Mach 1.6, reach continents in hours, and touch down where conventional aircraft cannot – all piloted by just one person. 

But there are obvious drawbacks: cargo space is minimal, and delivering presents at supersonic speed is – I am guessing – strongly discouraged.

Ultimately, we all know the truth.

No aircraft – no matter how advanced – can truly replace Father Christmas, his sleigh, and his reindeer. 

But if Santa ever did need some festive backup, it's fair to say there would be no better assistance than the British military.