The RAFs first Cold War strategic bomber the Vickers Valiant was procured as an insurance measure in case either the Vulcan or Victor was found to have a serious flaw. The Valiant was the equivalent of the US B-47 Stratojet & it blazed the trail for the British airborne nuclear deterrent as the aircraft enjoyed a far more active service career than later V-bombers. It was the launch platform for all British free fall nuclear weapons tests both in the Pacific & in central Australia it took part in the Suez campaign in 1956 & it was the only V-bomber to drop (conventional) weapons in anger until the Falklands operation in 1982. The Valiant was modified to serve in the electronic warfare strategic reconnaissance & airborne tanker role however it had to be grounded in early 1965 when the aircraft succumbed to metal fatigue.