Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the crew complement by (a) rank and (b) specialisation is for the (i) A400M, (ii) C-17, (iii) C-130J and (iv) Voyager.

Mr Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Defence Procurement: Royal Air Force aircraft carry a Basic Crew at all times. This is defined as the minimum crew that can safely operate the aircraft and is laid out in the table below.

Appointment to a position in an aircraft is subject to qualification and not rank; although all RAF pilots are Commissioned Officers. Generally, most Weapons Systems Operators (Crewman (Fixed wing)) are Senior Non Commissioned Officers or Warrant Officer in rank, however, these positions may be filled by a Commissioned Officer.

The composition of any additional crew is dependent on the task.