Development of the Buccaneer began in 1955, leading to the first flight of the Mark 1 in 1958 and of the Mark 2 in 1963. It was one of the first British aviation projects to operate the Weapons System Concept and to utilise the Development Batch principle.

Development specifically for the low-level high subsonic speed attack, with the requirement for maximum range very much to the fore, required a new approach. The flying qualities and structure produced for the initial design have been utilised with progressive developments in power-plant and equipment to give large improvements in performance, reliability and effectiveness at relatively low cost.