The Avro Vulcan played an important role as a strategic bomber from 1953-84. For more than 30 years during the height of the Cold War, this aircraft armed with nuclear bombs was ready to deter foreign nations such as the Soviet Union from attacking Great Britain. Operated by the RAF's V-bomber force, the Vulcan was a delta-wing design that flew at subsonic speeds at high altitude. Its cruising speed of Mach 0.86 and small radar cross-section made it ideal for penetrating enemy airspace to deliver its nuclear payload should the need have arisen. A total of 134 Vulcans were manufactured.