'Failures' led to Iraq crash deaths

As well as British military authorities, the Americans too came in for withering criticism.

The two month inquest heard how the Ministry of Defence and RAF ignored decades of recommendations to fit ESF (explosion suppressant foam) - a key safety feature on Hercules C130s.

This was "a serious systemic failure and, accordingly, a contributory factor in the loss of the aircraft," Wiltshire Coroner David Masters said in his narrative verdict. He also said a failure to communicate intelligence about the enemy contributed to the deaths.

The families of the victims said afterwards their loved ones had been let down by an RAF that "failed to protect our boys".

Barrister John Cooper, representing three families, said they were "carefully considering their options" regarding civil action.

Had Hercules flight XV179 had ESF fitted in the wing-located fuel tanks, one in the right wing may not have exploded and blown the wing off when hit by enemy fire on January 30 2005, the hearing at Trowbridge, Wilts, was told.

"Never again should a scientific report be ignored," said the coroner in his summary.

This vulnerability had concerned UK military commanders since the Second World War, the inquest heard.

It was explicitly detailed in a 2002 Tactical Analysis Team (TAT) report which recommended ESF be fitted to Hercules. This came after a series of research papers throughout the 1990s warning of possible wing tank explosions caused by projectiles igniting the ullage, the highly flammable fuel/air mix left as the tank empties.