MILAVIA > Air Forces> Pictorials > United Kingdom - Fleet Air Arm
AIR FORCE PICTORIALS

Naval Aviation: United Kingdom



Pictures courtesy of the Royal Navy - Crown Copyright

The Fleet air arm provides the Royal Navy with a multi-role aviation combat capability able to operate independently, at short notice in all environments, over sea and land. It has some 6,200 men and women operating approximately 200 combat aircraft and more than 50 support/training aircraft.

The Sea Harrier FA.2 is a single seat multi-role day/night all-weather aircraft which can be deployed aboard the RN Invincible class of Aircraft Carriers to project air power in support of UK interests worldwide. The FA.2 (Fighter Attack) is a development of its predecessor the Sea Harrier FRS1 (Fighter/ Reconnaissance/Strike) concentrating on the avionics and weapons system of the aircraft giving it a much improved air-to-air combat capability, essential to its main task of providing a carrier group with air defence.

faa_harrier_fa2_01.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_02.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_03.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_04.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_05.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_06.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_07.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_08.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_09.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_10.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_11.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_12.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_13.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_14.jpg
Harrier FA.2
faa_harrier_fa2_15.jpg
Harrier FA.2

The Lynx is primarily a anti-surface and anti-submarine helicopter operating from frigates and destroyers of the Fleet. Recently the seaborne Lynx Mk.3s have been upgraded to the Mk.8 standard, acquiring the advanced Central Tactical System and Passive Identification Device. In addition to the anti-surface Sea Skua missile system the Lynx can be armed with the Sting Ray torpedo and depth charges for anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft may also be fitted with a machine gun pod.

faa_lynx_mk3_01.jpg
Lynx Mk.3
faa_lynx_mk3_02.jpg
Lynx Mk.3
faa_lynx_mk3_03.jpg
Lynx Mk.3
faa_lynx_mk3_04.jpg
Lynx Mk.3
faa_lynx_mk3_05.jpg
Lynx Mk.3
faa_lynx_mk8_01.jpg
Lynx Mk.8
faa_lynx_mk8_02.jpg
Lynx Mk.8
faa_lynx_mk8_03.jpg
Lynx Mk.8
faa_lynx_mk8_04.jpg
Lynx Mk.8
faa_lynx_mk8_05.jpg
Lynx Mk.8

The Merlin HM Mk.1 is a replacement for the anti-submarine Sea King HAS Mk.6. The Merlin is designed to operate from both large and small ships' flight decks, in severe weather and high sea states, by day and night. It can carry four homing torpedoes or depth charges for the ASW role.

faa_merlin_mk1_01.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_02.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_03.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_04.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_05.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_06.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_07.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_08.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_09.jpg
Merlin Mk.1
faa_merlin_mk1_10.jpg
Merlin Mk.1

The ASaC - Airborne Surveillance and Area Control (previously AEW - Airborne Early Warning) Sea King was rapidly brought into service post the Falklands conflict when it became clear that organic Airborne Early Warning was an essential part of air power at sea. The Searchwater radar can detect low flying aircraft trying to attack surface ships under conventional shipborne radar cover. The platform offers tactical control to the Sea Harrier, and other shore and carrier based aircraft.

faa_seaking_mk7_01.jpg
Sea King Mk.7 ASaC
faa_seaking_mk7_02.jpg
Sea King Mk.7 ASaC
faa_seaking_mk7_03.jpg
Sea King Mk.7 ASaC
faa_seaking_mk7_04.jpg
Sea King Mk.7 ASaC
faa_seaking_mk7_05.jpg
Sea King Mk.7 ASaC

In addition to its military taskings, the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm also provide Search and Rescue cover to large sections of the United Kingdom coastline, 24 hours a day and 365 days per year, typically at 15 minutes notice. Based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and Prestwick in Scotland, Royal Navy Sea King Mk.5 helicopters are constantly available and fly missions that are as varied as they are far-reaching.

faa_seaking_mk5_01.jpg
Sea King Mk.5 SAR
faa_seaking_mk5_02.jpg
Sea King Mk.5 SAR
faa_seaking_mk5_03.jpg
Sea King Mk.5 SAR
faa_seaking_mk5_04.jpg
Sea King Mk.5 SAR
faa_seaking_mk5_05.jpg
Sea King Mk.5 SAR

The Sea King Mk.4 is the commando version of the Sea King helicopter. It has 6000lbs lift capacity and is used in direct support of the Royal Marines. It is able to carry up to 27 troops and has a range of approx 400 miles. It is also able to carry Land Rovers, 105mm guns and air defence missile systems. The Mk4 has a comprehensive defence suite to detect and deter anti-aircraft radar, missiles and guns.

faa_seaking_mk4_01.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_02.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_03.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_04.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_05.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_06.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_07.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_08.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_09.jpg
Sea King Mk.4
faa_seaking_mk4_10.jpg
Sea King Mk.4

The Navy uses the Gazelle in the reconnaissance and communications role which it combines with the Lynx attack aircraft to form 847 squadron in support of the Royal Marines based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. The Lynx Mk.7 is an attack and utility version of the Lynx, operated in support of the Royal Marines in conjunction with the Commando Sea King. It fires the TOW anti-armour missile which gives an autonomous and flexible response against tanks and armoured personnel carriers to the Land Force Commander during Amphibious Operations.

faa_gazelle_ah1_01.jpg
Gazelle AH.1
faa_gazelle_ah1_02.jpg
Gazelle AH.1
faa_gazelle_ah1_03.jpg
Gazelle AH.1
faa_gazelle_ah1_04.jpg
Gazelle AH.1
faa_gazelle_ah1_05.jpg
Gazelle AH.1
faa_lynx_mk7_01.jpg
Lynx Mk.7
faa_lynx_mk7_02.jpg
Lynx Mk.7
faa_lynx_mk7_03.jpg
Lynx Mk.7
faa_lynx_mk7_04.jpg
Lynx Mk.7
faa_lynx_mk7_05.jpg
Lynx Mk.7

Fighter pilots for the Fleet air arm will fly the BAe Hawk at the Advanced Flying Training, before learning to fly the Harrier at 899 Naval Air Squadron at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. For this task the squadrons operates the two-seat Harrier T.8 advanced trainer.
The Jetstream is used to train the all important Observers of the Fleet Air Arm who eventually become the tacticians of the anti-surface helicopters. To facilitate this training, the Jetstream is fitted with a nose mounted radar and two navigation consoles for the student and instructor. The jetstream is a fixed wing aircraft powered by twin gas turbine engines and with spare passenger capacity. There are two variants in service, T2s, which are used in the observer training role and T3s, which are operated by Heron flight at Yeovilton for operational support and communications.

faa_harrier_t8_01.jpg
Harrier T.8
faa_harrier_t8_02.jpg
Harrier T.8
faa_hawk_01.jpg
Hawk
faa_hawk_02.jpg
Hawk
faa_jetstream_t2_02.jpg
Jetstream T.mk2

Apart from these aircraft the Navy operates the Grob G115D2 basic trainer to assess candidates for further pilot training with the Fleet Air Arm. 792 Naval Air Squadron operates the Mirach 100/5 unmanned high subsonic drones used to test the Sea Dart Missile System fitted to Type 42 Destroyers. They are also used to test Sidewinder missiles on Royal Navy Sea Harriers and RAF Tornados.
Information and pictures from Royal Navy: Fleet Air Arm official website



| Back to Air Forces directory | E-mail webmaster | Contribute | Disclaimer |




Copyright © 2002-2004 Niels Hillebrand unless stated otherwise. All rights reserved.