The Vulcan was designed in response to a specification issued in 1947. The requirement was demanding a four engined nuclear bomber against the growing nuclear thread of the Soviet Union . Avro immediately began an unusual design based on a delta wing concept and a matter of months later, the design had been submitted and had won the contest (along with Handley Page Victor).

Delivery of production B.1s began in 1956. While the B.1 provided useful service and provided part of the UK's nuclear deterrent force, the changes in the defences of the then-enemy, the Soviet Union, meant that the B.1 force was becoming less and less of a viable option for attacking deep into Soviet territory.

More powerful engines, an electronic warfare (ECM) suite in a new larger tailcone and in-flight refuelling capability along with further improved, larger, wings were reasons enough for a new variant - the B.2 . With longer range, the ability to carry a heavier payload and much improved self-defence measures in a vastly more powerful ECM suite, the B.2 made sure that missions into the Soviet Union wouldn't be the suicide mission

The nuclear capability of the B.2 was also improved compared to the B.1. Two nuclear weapons (Yellow Sun and Red Beard) could be carried. But even with the B.2's improvements, the delivery of free fall nuclear weapons into the increasingly deadly defences of the Soviet Union was becoming far too dangerous a proposition. Instead a stand-off nuclear missile was developed; Blue Steel. This could be fired from 100 miles away from the target. In common with the Victor, Blue Steels were carried in a partially-recessed manner on the Vulcan. The bomb bay area was modified accordingly and the lower tailfin of the missile would be folded over on the ground to give enough ground clearance. On launching the fin would fold down and the Vulcan crew would turn for home. An improvement over the Blue Steel would have been the American's Skybolt missile, which were intended for use by B-52s and Vulcans. Vulcans would have been able to carry two, one under each wing, and many B.2s were built with suitable attachment points under their wings.