Editing Fleet Air Arm

{{short description|Aviation arm of the Royal Navy}}
{{for|the U.S. aviation regulator|Federal Aviation Administration}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Fleet Air Arm
| start_date                    = 1914 (As the [[Royal Naval Air Service]])<br />1924 (as the naval branch of the [[Royal Air Force]])<br />
1937 (as part of [[Naval Service (United Kingdom)|Naval Service]])
| dates                         = 
| country                       = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom
| image                         = Fleet Air Arm logo.svg
| image_size                    = 240px
| caption                       = 
| branch                        = {{navy|United Kingdom}}
| role                          = 
| size                          = 5,000 personnel<br />{{circa| 160}} aircraft<ref name="HC4upgraded">[http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-02-25/225369/ Military Aircraft:Written question – 225369 (House of Commons Hansard)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826233641/http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-02-25/225369/ |date=26 August 2016 }}, Parliament of the United Kingdom, March 2015</ref>
| command_structure             = [[His Majesty's Naval Service|Naval Service]]
| garrison                      = 
| garrison_label                = 
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = [[Second World War]]<br />[[Korean War]]<br />[[Operation Musketeer (Suez Crisis)]]<br />[[Falklands War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br /> [[Bosnia]]<br />[[Operation Herrick|Afghanistan War]]<br />[[Iraq War]]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| website                       = {{Official URL}}
<!-- Commanders -->| current_commander             = 
| current_commander_label       = [[Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation & Carriers)|Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm]]
| ceremonial_chief              = [[Catherine, Princess of Wales]]
| ceremonial_chief_label        = [[Commodore-in-Chief]]
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = Commodore Stuart Finn
<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=ROYAL NAVY SHOWS COMMITMENT TO DRONE TECHNOLOGY FOR FUTURE OPERATIONS |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/july/31/200731-future-maritime-aviation-force |work=Royal Navy |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=20 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=63151 |date=20 October 2020 |page=17730 |supp= y}}</ref>
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = [[Commodore Fleet Air Arm]]
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|border|140px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Naval Ensign|White Ensign]]
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:RAF roundel.svg|70px]] [[File:RAF Lowvis Army roundel.svg|70px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Roundel]]s
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:RAF-Finflash-Noncombat.svg|70px|Fin flash]] [[File:Fin flash of the United Kingdom Low Visibility.svg|70px|Low visibility fin flash]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Fin flash]]es
| identification_symbol_4       = 
| identification_symbol_4_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat HMA2]] <br> [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]]
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_fighter              = [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]]
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_recon                = [[AeroVironment Wasp III|Wasp III UAV]], <br> [[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma|Puma AE/LE UAV]]<ref>{{cite web|title=NAVY'S DRONE EXPERTS 700X NAS READY TO DEPLOY ON WARSHIPS|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/august/17/200817-700x-three-new-flights}}</ref><br />[[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Commando Wildcat AH1]]<br />
[[Schiebel Camcopter S-100|Peregrine rotary-wing UAV]]
| aircraft_patrol              = [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HM2]]<br />[[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat HMA2]]
| aircraft_trainer              = [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Avenger T1]]<br />[[Grob G 120TP|Prefect T1]] <br />[[Grob G 115|Tutor T1]] <br /> [[Eurocopter EC135|Juno HT1]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/support-and-training/705-naval-air-squadron|title=705 Naval Air Squadron &#124; Royal Navy|website=royalnavy.mod.uk}}</ref> <br /> [[Eurocopter EC145|Jupiter HT1]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/pictures-juno-and-jupiter-helicopters-arrive-at-raf-shawbury/123623.article|title=PICTURES: Juno and Jupiter helicopters arrive at RAF Shawbury|first=Dominic|last=Perry |website=Flightglobal}}</ref>
| aircraft_transport            = [[AgustaWestland AW101|Commando Merlin HC4/4A]], <br>
[[Malloy Aeronautics T150|T150 UAV]]
}}
{{Royal Navy}}

The '''Fleet Air Arm''' ('''FAA''') is the [[naval aviation]] component of the United Kingdom's [[Royal Navy]] (RN). The FAA is one of five [[:Category:Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy|RN fighting arms]].<ref>{{cite web |title=THE ROYAL NAVY'S SURFACE FLEET |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-the-Royal-Navy/~/media/Files/Navy-PDFs/About-the-Royal-Navy/Surface%20Fleet%20Information%20Leaflet.pdf |website=royalnavy.mod.uk |publisher=MOD UK |access-date=5 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018112225/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-the-Royal-Navy/~/media/Files/Navy-PDFs/About-the-Royal-Navy/Surface%20Fleet%20Information%20Leaflet.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> {{As of|2023}} it is a primarily [[helicopter]] force, though also operating the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II]] carrier-based stealth fighter jointly with the [[Royal Air Force]]. 

The RAF was formed by the 1918 merger of the RN's [[Royal Naval Air Service]] with the [[British Army]]'s [[Royal Flying Corps]]. The FAA did not come under the direct control of the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] until mid-1939. During the Second World War, the FAA operated aircraft on ships as well as land-based aircraft that defended [[List of Royal Navy shore establishments|the Royal Navy's shore establishment]]s and facilities.

==History==

===Beginnings===
{{main|Royal Naval Air Service}}

British naval flying started in 1909, with the construction of an [[airship]] for naval duties.<ref name=FAAA>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/History/Index.htm |title=Naval Aviation history and the Fleet Air Arm Origins |work=fleetairarmarchive.net |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519005147/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/History/Index.htm |archive-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> In 1911 the Royal Navy graduated its first aeroplane pilots at the [[Royal Aero Club]] [[RAF Eastchurch|flying ground near Eastchurch]], [[Isle of Sheppey]] under the tutelage of pioneer aviator [[George Bertram Cockburn]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1911/1911%20-%200418.html?search=cockburn |title=Training of Naval Officers at Eastchurch |issue=124 |volume=III |page=420 |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=13 May 1911 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525013959/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1911/1911%20-%200418.html?search=cockburn |archive-date=25 May 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In May 1912, naval and army aviation were combined to become the [[Royal Flying Corps]] (RFC). The Naval Wing of the RFC lasted until July 1914 when the Royal Navy reformed its air branch, under the [[Air Department]] of the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]], naming it the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).{{sfn|Roskill|1969|p=156}} By the outbreak of the First World War, in August 1914, the RNAS had more aircraft under its control than the remaining RFC.{{sfn|Bradbeer|2014|p=}}{{page needed|date=March 2020}} The roles of the RNAS were fleet reconnaissance, patrolling coasts for enemy ships and submarines, attacking enemy coastal territory and defending Britain from enemy air raids, along with deployment along the Western Front. In April 1918 the RNAS, which at this time had 67,000 officers and men, 2,949 aircraft, 103 airships and 126 coastal stations, merged with the RFC to form the [[Royal Air Force]].{{sfn|Boyne|2003|p=70}}

===Fleet Air Arm===
On 1 April 1924, the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force was formed, encompassing those RAF units that normally embarked on aircraft carriers and fighting ships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/content/view/454/613/|title=Interwar: Fleet Air Arm|work=Sea Your History|access-date=8 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402094005/http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/content/view/454/613|archive-date=2 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The year was significant for British naval aviation as only weeks before the founding of the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Navy had commissioned {{HMS|Hermes|95|6}}, the world's first ship to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier. Over the following months RAF Fleet Air Arm [[Fairey IIID]] reconnaissance biplanes operated off Hermes, conducting flying trials.

On 24 May 1939 the Fleet Air Arm was returned to Admiralty control<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/pages/fleet_air_arm_history/history.shtml |title=The History of the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association, FAAOA |work=fleetairarmoa.org |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418115613/http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/pages/fleet_air_arm_history/history.shtml |archive-date=18 April 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> under the "[[Sir Thomas Inskip|Inskip Award]]" (named after the [[Minister for Co-ordination of Defence]] overseeing the British re-armament programme) and renamed the Air Branch of the Royal Navy. At the onset of the Second World War, the Fleet Air Arm consisted of 20 squadrons with only 232 frontline aircraft, and 191 additional trainers. By the end of the war the strength of the Fleet Air Arm was 59 aircraft carriers, 3,700 aircraft, 72,000 officers and men and 56 Naval air stations.

[[File:An elephant pulling a Supermarine Walrus aircraft into position at a Fleet Air Arm station in India, June 1944. A24291.jpg|thumb|An elephant pulling a [[Supermarine Walrus]] aircraft into position at a Fleet Air Arm station in India (c. June 1944)]]

During the war, the FAA operated fighters, torpedo bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Following the [[Dunkirk evacuation]] and the commencement of the [[Battle of Britain]], the Royal Air Force soon found itself critically short of fighter pilots. In the summer of 1940, the RAF had just over 800 fighter pilots and as personnel shortages worsened; the RAF turned to the Admiralty to ask for help from the Fleet Air Arm. Fleet Air Arm crews under [[RAF Fighter Command]] were either seconded individually to RAF fighter squadrons or entire as with 804 and 808 Naval Air Squadrons. The former provided dockyard defence during the Battle of Britain with [[Gloster Gladiator|Sea Gladiators]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/RollofHonour/Battlehonour_crewlists/BattleofBritain_FAAaircrew_1940.html |title=Fleet Air Arm squadrons taking part in the Battle of Britain under RAF Fighter Command |work=Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939–1945 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625093132/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/RollofHonour/Battlehonour_crewlists/BattleofBritain_FAAaircrew_1940.html |archive-date=25 June 2015 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

In British home waters and out into the Atlantic Ocean, operations against Axis shipping and submarines in support of the RN were mounted by [[RAF Coastal Command]] with large patrol bombers, flying boats and land-based fighter-bombers. The [[aircraft carrier]] had replaced the [[battleship]] as the [[capital ship]] of the RN and its aircraft were now its principal offensive weapons. The top scoring [[Flying ace|fighter ace]] with 17 victories was Commander [[Stanley Orr]], the [[Royal Marines|Royal Marine]] ace was [[Ronald Cuthbert Hay]] with 13 victories. A number of Royal Marines were [[History of the Royal Marines#Second World War|FAA pilots]] during the war.

Notable Fleet Air Arm operations during the war included the [[Battle of Taranto]], the sinking of the [[German battleship Bismarck|''Bismarck'']], the attempt to prevent the [[Channel Dash]], [[Operation Tungsten]] against the [[German battleship Tirpitz|''Tirpitz'']] and [[Operation Meridian]] against oil plants in [[Sumatra]].

===Post-war history===
[[File:SeaFury launch.jpg|thumb|right|Hawker Sea Fury of No. 804 Squadron launched off {{HMS|Glory|R62|6}} during the Korean War, June 1951]]
[[File:Phantom FG1 892 Sqn on HMS Ark Royal (R09) 1972.jpg|thumb|right|Phantom FG.1 of 892 NAS aboard {{HMS|Ark Royal|R09|6}} in 1972]]
[[File:DN-SC-87-05770.JPEG|thumb|right|Two [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Sea Harriers]] from [[800 Naval Air Squadron]] approach the flight deck of [[U.S. Navy]] aircraft carrier {{USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower||6}} in 1984.]]
After the war the FAA needed to fly [[jet aircraft]] from their carriers. The jet aircraft of the era were considerably less effective at low speeds than propeller aircraft, but propeller aircraft could not effectively fight jets at the high speeds flown by jet aircraft. The FAA took on its first jet, the [[De Havilland Vampire|Sea Vampire]], in the late 1940s. The Sea Vampire was the first jet credited with taking off and landing on a carrier. The Air Arm continued with high-powered prop aircraft alongside the new jets resulting in the FAA being woefully outpowered during the [[Korean War]]. Nevertheless, jets were not yet wholly superior to propeller aircraft and a flight of ground attack [[Hawker Sea Fury|Hawker Sea Furies]] downed a [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]] and damaged others in an engagement.

As jets became larger, more powerful and faster they required more space to take off and land. The [[US Navy]] simply built much larger carriers. The Royal Navy had a few large carriers built and completed after the end of the war but another solution was sought. This was partly overcome by the introduction of a Royal Navy idea to [[flight deck#Angled flight deck|angle the flight deck]] away from the centre line so that the aircraft landing had a clear run away from the usual forward deck park. An associated British invention, intended to provide more precise optical guidance to aircraft on final approaching the deck, was the [[Optical Landing System#Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS)|Fresnel lens optical landing aid]]. Another Royal Navy invention was the use of a [[steam catapult|steam-powered catapult]] to cater for the larger and heavier aircraft (both systems were adopted by the US Navy).

Defence cuts across the British armed forces [[1966 Defence White Paper|during the 1960s and 1970s]] led to the withdrawal of existing Royal Navy aircraft carriers, transfer of Fleet Air Arm fixed-wing jet strike aircraft such as the [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4K (FG.1) Phantom II]] and [[Blackburn Buccaneer|Buccaneer S.2]] to the Royal Air Force, and cancellation of large replacement aircraft carriers, including the [[CVA-01]] design. The last conventional carrier to be retired was {{HMS|Ark Royal|R09|6}} in 1978.<ref>Manning, p. 149</ref> When HMS ''Hermes'' was converted in 1980/81 to a STOVL carrier to operate Sea Harriers, a [[Ski-jump (aviation)|'Ski-jump ramp']] was fitted to aid take-off. A new series of small carriers, the {{sclass|Invincible|aircraft carrier|0}} anti-submarine warfare ships (known as "through deck cruisers") were built and equipped with the [[BAE Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier]] a derivative of the [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier]] [[VTOL]] aircraft. These carriers incorporated an upswept forward section of the flight deck that deflected the aircraft upward on launch and permitted heavier loads to be carried by the Harrier, for example in weaponry, and the system was used extensively in the Falklands War, with both ''Hermes'' and ''Invincible'' part of the Task Force.
At the end of the [[Cold War]] in 1989 the Fleet Air Arm was under the command of the [[Flag Officer Naval Air Command]], a [[Rear admiral (Royal Navy)|rear admiral]] based at [[RNAS Yeovilton]].
* '''[[Flag Officer Naval Air Command]]''' (FONAC), at [[RNAS Yeovilton]]
** '''[[RNAS Prestwick]]''':
*** [[819 Naval Air Squadron]], ([[Anti-submarine warfare|Anti-submarine]], 12× [[Westland Sea King|Sea King HAS.5]])
*** [[826 Naval Air Squadron]], (Anti-submarine, 12× Sea King HAS.6)
*** [[HMS Gannet SAR Flight]], ([[Search and Rescue|Search & Rescue]], 8× [[Westland Sea King|Sea King HU.5]])
** '''[[RNAS Yeovilton]]''':
*** [[707 Naval Air Squadron]], ([[Air Assault]], 10× [[Westland Sea King|Sea King HC.4]])
*** [[800 Naval Air Squadron]], (12× [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier FA.2]])
*** [[801 Naval Air Squadron]], (12× Sea Harrier FA.2)
*** [[845 Naval Air Squadron]], (Air Assault, 10× Sea King HC.4)
*** [[846 Naval Air Squadron]], (Air Assault, 10× Sea King HC.4)
*** [[899 Naval Air Squadron]], (Training, 24× Sea Harrier FA.2)
*** [[Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit]], (Aggressor Squadron, [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra TT.18]], [[Hawker Hunter]] GA.11)
** '''[[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|RNAS Culdrose]]''':
*** [[705 Naval Air Squadron]], (Basic Helicopter Training, 38× [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|Gazelle HT.2]])
*** [[706 Naval Air Squadron]], (Sea King Training, 12× various types of Sea King)
*** [[750 Naval Air Squadron]], (Observer Training, [[Handley Page Jetstream|Jetstream T2]])
*** [[771 Naval Air Squadron]], (Search & Rescue, 12× [[Westland Sea King|Sea King HU.5]])
*** [[814 Naval Air Squadron]], (Anti-submarine, 12× Sea King HAS.5)
*** [[820 Naval Air Squadron]], (Anti-submarine, 12× Sea King HAS.6)
*** [[824 Naval Air Squadron]], (Anti-submarine, 12× Sea King HAS.6) (disbanded August 1989)
*** [[849 Naval Air Squadron]], ([[Airborne early warning and control]], 10× Sea King AEW.2A, 4× Sea King AEW.5)
** '''[[RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)|RNAS Portland]]''':
*** [[702 Naval Air Squadron]], (Aircrew & Maintenance Training, 24× [[Westland Lynx|Lynx HAS.3S]])
*** [[772 Naval Air Squadron]], (Air Assault, 10× Sea King HC.4)
*** [[810 Naval Air Squadron]], (Anti-submarine, 12× Sea King HAS.6)
*** [[815 Naval Air Squadron]], (Frigate & Destroyer Helicopters, 32× Lynx HAS.3S, most deployed on frigates and destroyers at sea)
*** [[829 Naval Air Squadron]], (Frigate & Destroyer Helicopters, 32× Lynx HAS.3S, most deployed on frigates and destroyers at sea)

==== Fleet Air Arm inventory 1989 ====
The inventory of the Fleet Air Arm in 1989 consisted of the following aircraft:<ref name="World's Air Forces 1989">{{cite journal|title=World's Air Forces 1989|journal=Flight International|date=29 November 1989|pages=61–62|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1989/1989%20-%203700.html|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034011/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1989/1989%20-%203700.html|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Combat aircraft''':
** 42× [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier FRS.1/F(A).2]]
** 2×/2× [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier T.4A/T.4N]]
* '''Helicopters''':
** 60+ [[Westland Sea King|Sea King HAS.5]]
** 31+ [[Westland Sea King|Sea King HAS.6]]
** 10× [[Westland Sea King|Sea King AEW.2A]]
** 33× [[Westland Sea King|Sea King HC.4]]
** 80+ [[Westland Lynx|Lynx HAS.3S]]
** 23×/8× [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|Gazelle HT.2/HT.3]]
* '''Trainers''':
** 3× [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra TT.18]]
** 14× [[de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk|Chipmunk T.10]]
** 5× [[Hawker Hunter|Hunter T.8M]]
** 12×/9× [[Hawker Hunter|Hunter GA.11/T8]]
** 19× [[Handley Page Jetstream|Jetstream T.2]]
* '''Liaison''':
** 16× [[Dassault Falcon 20]] (Civil-registered)

===Post Cold War===
[[File:Four FA2 Sea Harriers, based at RNAS Yeovilton, flying in formation above the clouds, photographed as part of a Photex. MOD 45146083.jpg|thumb|A formation of four Sea Harrier FA.2s from 801 NAS in 2005]]

In 2000 the [[Sea Harrier]] force was merged with the [[Royal Air Force|RAF's]] [[BAE Harrier II|Harrier GR7]] fleet to form [[Joint Force Harrier]]. The Fleet Air Arm began withdrawing the Sea Harrier from service in 2004 with the disbandment of [[800 Naval Air Squadron|800 NAS]]. [[801 Naval Air Squadron|801 NAS]] disbanded on 28 March 2006 at [[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|RNAS Yeovilton (HMS ''Heron'')]]. 800 and 801 NAS were then combined to form the [[Naval Strike Wing]], flying ex-RAF Harrier GR7 and GR9s. On 1 April 2010, NSW reverted to the identity of 800 Naval Air Squadron. The Harrier GR7 and GR9 retired from service in December 2010 following the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010]].<ref name="rn-nsw">{{cite web|title=Naval Strike Wing |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/naval-air-squadrons/naval-strike-wing/ |work=royalnavy.mod.uk |publisher=[[Royal Navy]] |access-date=25 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524041233/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/naval-air-squadrons/naval-strike-wing/ |archive-date=24 May 2010 }}</ref>

Two new {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|0}} carriers able to operate the [[F-35B]] [[STOVL|short take-off and landing]] variant of the US [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin Lightning II]] aircraft were constructed. In the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015]], it was announced that the carriers would enter service "from 2018".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf |title=National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 |date=November 2015 |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=14 September 2016 |quote=Two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy. These will enter service from 2018, transforming the Royal Navy’s ability to project our influence overseas. (p. 30) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025094018/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The procurement plan is for a force of 138 F-35 aircraft, which are intended to be operated by both the RAF and FAA from a common pool, in the same manner as the Joint Force Harrier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/55741/uk-signs-for-more-operational-f-35bs |title=UK signs for more operational F-35Bs |last1=Jennings |first1=Garth |date=4 November 2015 |website=janes.com |publisher=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly |quote=14 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208184406/http://www.janes.com/article/55741/uk-signs-for-more-operational-f-35bs |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> With the introduction of the F-35, the Fleet Air Arm will return to the operation of fixed-wing strike aircraft at sea. In 2013, an initial cadre of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel were assigned to the [[U.S. Marine Corps]]' Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 ([[VMFAT-501]]), part of the [[U.S. Air Force]]'s [[33rd Fighter Wing]] at [[Eglin Air Force Base]], Florida, for training on the F-35B. [[809 Naval Air Squadron]] will be the first FAA unit to operate the F-35B and will be based at [[RAF Marham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/future-aircraft/809-naval-air-squadron|title=809 NAVAL AIR SQUADRON|website=royalnavy.mod.uk|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=14 September 2016|quote=809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) has been resurrected as the first Royal Navy formation to fly the UK's Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911095557/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/future-aircraft/809-naval-air-squadron|archive-date=11 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Helicopters====
[[Helicopter]]s also became important combat platforms since the Second World War. Initially used in the [[search and rescue]] role, they were later developed for [[anti-submarine warfare]] and [[Military transport aircraft#Transport helicopters|troop transport]]; during the 1956 [[Suez Crisis]] they were used to land [[Royal Marine Commando]] forces, the first time this had ever been done in combat.<ref>Darling, p. 224</ref> Originally operated only from carriers, the development of the [[Westland Wasp]] in the 1960s allowed helicopters to operate on all ships of [[frigate]] size or larger. Wasps, [[Westland Sea King|Sea Kings]] and [[Westland Wessex|Wessex]] helicopters all played an active part in the 1982 Falklands War, while [[Westland Lynx|Lynx]] helicopters played an attack role against Iraqi patrol boats in the 1991 [[Gulf War]] and [[Westland Sea King#Troop transport|Commando Sea King HC4s]] as well as the Lynx HMA Mk 8 from HMS ''Argyll'', assisted in suppressing rebel forces in the [[British military intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War|British intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War]] in 2000.

====Museums====
The Fleet Air Arm has a [[Fleet Air Arm Museum|museum]] near RNAS Yeovilton (HMS ''Heron'') in [[Somerset]], England, at which many of the great historical aircraft flown by the Service are on display, along with aircraft from other sources. There is also a Fleet Air Arm museum inside the [[Museum of Transport & Technology]] in [[Auckland]], New Zealand. On display there is a full-size replica [[Fairey Swordfish]], along with historic items and memorabilia.

==The FAA today==

===Personnel===
In 1938, Admiralty [[Fleet Orders]] 2885 announced the formation of an Air Branch of the [[Royal Naval Reserve]]. Thirty three unmarried men signed up for eighteen months full-time flying training; however, before these first volunteers were able to gain their wings Britain was at war. At the end of hostilities in 1945 the RNVR(A) was 46,000 strong, with over 8,000 aircrew. Post war the RNVR(A) comprised 12 dedicated reserve squadrons, grouped regionally into Air Divisions. However, defence cuts in 1957 disbanded the five Air Divisions, and the following year the RNVR was merged with the RNR.

====Today====
As of 1 December 2013, the Regular Fleet Air Arm has a reported strength of 5,000 personnel,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dasa.mod.uk/publications/personnel/military/navy-monthly-situation-report/2013-12-01/1-december-2013.pdf |title=Royal Navy monthly situation report |date=1 December 2013 |quote=See table 4a page 18 and table 4b page 20 |access-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202125201/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/publications/personnel/military/navy-monthly-situation-report/2013-12-01/1-december-2013.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> which represents approximately 20% of the Royal Navy's total strength (excluding [[Royal Marines]]).

The [[Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation & Carriers)]], the professional head (and also Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm), is Rear Admiral [[Martin Connell (Royal Navy officer)|Martin Connell]] as of February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fleetairarmoa.org/news/all-change-at-the-top-fleet-air-arm-|title= All Change at the Top Fleet Air Arm}}</ref> Under First Sea Lord Admiral [[Tony Radakin]]’s plans, the professional head of the Fleet Air Arm is set to shortly change to a one-star role, headed by a [[Commodore (Royal Navy)|Commodore]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/royal-navy-cut-back-senior-personnel|title=Royal Navy To Cut Back On Senior Personnel|last=at 2:35&nbsp;pm|website=Forces Network|date=23 December 2019 |language=en|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref>

Members of the Fleet Air Arm continue to be known as WAFUs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fleet Air Arm Video Page: "Once a WAFU, Always a WAFU" |url=https://royal-naval-association-wrexham-branch.org.uk/faa-videos/ |website=Royal Naval Association Wrexham Branch |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hind |first1=Bob |title=Royal Navy flyers land on pitching postage stamp deck |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/royal-navy-flyers-land-pitching-postage-stamp-deck-nostalgia-2899749 |website=The News (Portsmouth) |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> WAFU ("wet and f**king useless") is said to actually derive from "Weapon and Fuel Users", a stores category for clothing.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jolly |first1=Rick |title=Jackspeak: A guide to British Naval slang & usage |date=25 Jan 2018 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1472834140|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V4xaDwAAQBAJ&q=wafu+fleet+air+arm&pg=PT456 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>

====Reserve Air Branch====
The RNR Air Branch was commissioned at RNAS Yeovilton on 16 July 1980, and shortly afterwards 38 ex-regular aircrew began refresher training. Today the RNR Air Branch comprises approximately 250 ex-regular service Officers and Ratings, covering all aviation trades, tasked to support the Fleet Air Arm.

The Air Branch has its roots in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Branch, whose members served with distinction between 1937 through the Second World War until 1950 when it was disbanded.  Formed on 3 April 1980, the Air Branch was initially established to provide additional Pilots and Observers to the Royal Navy, but later expanded to include all trades and specialisations of the Fleet Air Arm.  Currently comprising some 320 personnel, HMS Pegasus is one of the biggest Units in the Royal Naval Reserve.

The name HMS Pegasus has a long and interesting history in the Royal Navy, dating back to 1585.  The second HMS Pegasus was commanded by Prince William Henry, who later became King William IV, known as the Sailor King.  In late 1786, the third HMS Pegasus was stationed in the West Indies under then Captain Horatio Nelson, earning three of her four Battle Honours.  The fourth and last HMS Pegasus served as a prototype fighter catapult ship, originally commissioned as HMS Ark Royal, serving primarily on convoy duty in the Second World War. 

The name Pegasus has associations outside of the Royal Navy, including the Bristol Aeroplane Company engine that powered the Fairey Swordfish and the Rolls Royce engine that powered the BAE Sea Harrier.  And, of course, the Parachute Regiment use Pegasus as their emblem.

===Insignia===

{{for|more information|Aircrew brevet}}

[[File:FleetAirArm wings.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Fleet Air Arm pilot wings]]

[[File:UK-Navy-OF-5-collected Fleet Air Arm Pilot.svg|thumb|right|Fleet Air Arm Captain and Pilot]]

The FAA is known for its use of the 'Fleet Air Arm Zig Zag': a light blue zig zag on a dark blue background.

The pattern is thought to have belonged to the "Perch Club", membership of which was restricted to those who had completed 100 deck landings without an accident. The zig zag was thought to have been taken from a Creeping Line Ahead, a parallel search pattern performed by FAA aircraft in a carrier task group.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Adlam, Hank.|title=On and off the flight deck : reflections of a naval fighter pilot in World War II|date=2009|publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation|isbn=978-1-84884-195-6|location=Barnsley|oclc=428778144}}</ref>

Today, the dark blue background represents the Royal Navy; the colour of the zigzag represents the Royal Flying Corps, from which the Royal Naval Air Service was born; and the zigzag shape represents a nod to the Royal Artillery (red zigzag on blue background), given that the first people sent aloft in tethered balloons to spot the fall of shot were Royal Artillery observers. It was these observers who became early members of the Royal Flying Corps.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Flying Corps – people|url=http://www.airhistory.org.uk/rfc/people.html|website=airhistory.org.uk|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kay Canvas|url=http://www.kaycanvas.com/impressions/british/the-british-royal-flying-corps-rfc-in-ww1/|website=kaycanvas.com|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>

Aircrew wear flying badges, such as pilots wearing a pair of gold albatross wings. The wings badges also feature a crown and fouled anchor in the centre, to reflect the maritime element of the flying undertaken. Wings are worn on the left sleeve of naval aviators, unlike their other service counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Navy BR3 – Dress Regulations|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/documents/reference-library/br-3-vol-1/chapter-39.pdf#page16|page=39E–1}}</ref>

==Aircraft==
{{Further|List of active United Kingdom military aircraft}}

The FAA operates fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. It uses the same aircraft [[British military aircraft designation systems|designation system]] as the RAF.

===Fixed wing===

====F-35B Lightning II====
[[File:Britain's most advanced jets touch down on home soil MOD 45164370.jpg|thumb|The Fleet Air Arm operates the F-35B from the ''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carriers.]]

The introduction of the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]] saw a restoration of fixed wing, front-line operations to the FAA after the retirement of [[Joint Force Harrier]] in 2010. The Lightning Force is a joint RAF-Fleet Air Arm formation with all F-35Bs capable of operating from the Royal Navy's [[Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier]]s. The first Fleet Air Arm squadron to operate the F-35B is [[809 Naval Air Squadron]] which formally stood-up in December 2023, joining other F-35B squadrons within the RAF that are formally part of [[No. 1 Group RAF]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navylookout.com/building-up-the-lightning-force-when-will-the-uk-get-its-f-35-jets/ | title=Building up the Lightning Force – when will the UK get its F-35 jets? &#124; Navy Lookout | date=14 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1733080885820260761?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |title=@NavyLookout F-35 with @809NAS 'phoenix from the flames' tail art on display at @RAF_Marham as the squadron recommissions today.  |number=1733080885820260761 |user=NavyLookout |date=8 December 2023 |access-date=8 December 2023}}</ref>

An initial order of 48 airframes was made in 2012 to equip the air wings of the two ''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carriers, with the operation split between the FAA and the [[Royal Air Force]], as was the case with Joint Force Harrier. [[809 Naval Air Squadron]] was announced as the second UK unit to fly the F-35B (the first being [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|617 Squadron RAF]]) and is the first FAA unit to operate the aircraft. It is understood that at least two further frontline squadrons will stand up in the future alongside 809, 617, [[No. 17 Squadron RAF|17(R) Test and Evaluation Squadron]] and an RAF-numbered Operational Conversion Unit, creating a total of six squadrons including the OCU and OEU. Under the Strategic Defence and Security Review of November 2015, the UK Government made a commitment to buying 138 F-35B, with at least 24 available for carrier use by 2023.<ref>{{cite news|title=Osborne: UK to speed up aircraft carrier jet purchase|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34893614|access-date=22 November 2015|work=BBC News|date=22 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="SDSR2015">{{cite web|title=National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124082813/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/478933/52309_Cm_9161_NSS_SD_Review_web_only.pdf|archive-date=24 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, following on the [[Defence in a Competitive Age|2021 defence review]], the First Sea Lord indicated that the new envisaged number was to be 60 aircraft initially and "then maybe more", up to a maximum of around 80 to hopefully equip four "deployable squadrons".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-looking-at-60-maybe-up-to-around-80-f-35b-jets/|title = UK looking at '60 and then maybe up to 80′ F-35B jets|date = 23 March 2021}}</ref> In April 2022, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Richard Knighton, told the House of Commons Defence Select Committee that the MoD was in discussions to purchase a second tranche of 26 F-35B fighters. Plans for frontline F-35B squadrons had been modified and now envisaged a total of three squadrons (rather than four) each deploying 12-16 aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2022-06-23.HL1253.h | title=F-35 Aircraft }}</ref> In surge conditions 24 F-35s might be deployed on the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers but a routine deployment would likely involve 12 aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navylookout.com/uk-to-purchase-at-least-74-f-35-jets/ | title=UK to purchase at least 74 F-35 jets &#124; Navy Lookout | date=27 April 2022 }}</ref>

In January 2019, initial operating capability for the UK's F-35B was announced<ref>{{cite news|title=UK declares IOC Land for F-35 force|url=https://www.janes.com/article/85642/uk-declares-ioc-land-for-f-35-force|access-date=11 January 2019|publisher=IHS Janes|date=11 January 2019}}</ref> with 18 F-35Bs jointly delivered to the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2019/05/21/lightning-to-cyprus-first-deployment-for-uk-f-35b/|title= Key.Aero - the Only Destination for Aviation Enthusiasts}}</ref> As of December 2022, 26 aircraft were operational in the UK and were based at [[RAF Marham]]. These aircraft regularly deployed for operations on the ''Queen Elizabeth-class'' aircraft carriers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/17/british-f35-jet-crashes-into-mediterranean|title=British F-35 jet crashes into Mediterranean|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=17 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/more-f-35-jets-delivered-to-the-uk/|title = More F-35 jets delivered to the UK|date = 4 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2018-08-04/further-five-f-35-fighter-jets-land-at-new-raf-marham-home/|title= Further five F-35 fighter jets land at RAF Marham|date=4 August 2018}}</ref> Another 3 F-35s remained in the US for testing and evaluation purposes.

While 38 F-35B aircraft (including 3 or 4 based in the U.S.) were in the U.K. inventory by May 2025,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-takes-delivery-of-more-f-35-stealth-jets/ | title=Britain takes delivery of more F-35 stealth jets |website=U.K. Defence Journal |last=Langford |first=Craig | date= 8 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-takes-delivery-of-more-new-f-35-stealth-jets/#:~:text=The%20arrival%20of%20more%20F,by%20the%20end%20of%202025. | title=Britain takes delivery of more new F-35 stealth jets |website=UK Defence Journal |last=Allison |first=George | date= 17 March 2024}}</ref> as the former U.K. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had reported,  the RAF and Royal Navy faced a considerable challenge in providing even the existing modest F-35B fleet with qualified pilots. As of late 2022 there were only 30 qualified British pilots (plus three exchange pilots from the United States and Australia) for the F-35. The average wait time for RAF trainee Typhoon and F-35 pilots, after completing the Military Flying Training System, was approximately 11 and 12 months respectively. A further gap of 68 weeks existed between completing Basic Flying Training and beginning Advanced Fast Jet Training. The resulting pilot shortage was a factor in delaying the ability to stand up the first Fleet Air Arm Squadron (809 Squadron) on a timely basis.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/uk-military-pilot-training-in-limbo-for-beleaguered-raf/ | title=UK military pilot training in limbo for beleaguered RAF | date=7 November 2022 }}</ref> In February 2023, the [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]], Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, reported that the number of F-35 pilots had grown to 34 UK pilots with a further 7 to complete training by August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oral evidence: Work of the Chief of the Air Staff, HC 1108 |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/12649/html/ |date=1 February 2023}}</ref>

====Training====
[[File:Grob Tutor photographed over Lincolnshire. MOD 45142162.jpg|alt=|thumb|A [[Grob G 115|Grob Tutor T1]] used for pilot grading]]
[[File:ZM320 Grob G120TP-A Prefect T1 (27903385637).jpg|alt=|thumb|A [[Grob G 120TP|Grob Prefect T1]] turboprop used for elementary flying training]]
Four types of fixed wing aircraft are operated by the FAA for training purposes: Pilot Grading is carried out using the [[Grob Tutor]] T1. [[No. 3 Flying Training School RAF|Elementary flying training]] is then conducted on the [[Grob G 120TP|Grob Prefect T1]]. From there, pilots are streamed to either Rotary or Fast-Jet.
[[File:Beechcraft Avenger T.1 ‘ZZ503’ (32161797428).jpg|alt=|thumb|A [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft Avenger T1]] used for Observer training]]
Observer grading and training is done using four [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft Avenger T1]]<ref name="key-rn">{{cite web|url=http://www.key.aero/view_article.asp?ID=862&thisSection=military|title=Royal Navy unveils its new King Air|last=Parsons|first=Gary|date=29 September 2009|work=key.aero|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001931/http://www.key.aero/view_article.asp?ID=862&thisSection=military|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=8 June 2015}}</ref> before observers join their frontline aircraft.

===Rotary===
Today the largest section of the FAA is the rotary wing section. Pilots designated for rotary wing service train under [[No. 1 Flying Training School RAF|No. 1 Flying Training School]] at [[RAF Shawbury]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/north-shropshire/shawbury/2020/02/29/raf-chief-opens-state-of-the-art-helicopter-training-facilities-in-shawbury/|title=DHFS rebadging as No. 1 FTS – Shropshire Star|date=29 February 2020 }}</ref> The school is a tri-Service organisation consisting of civilian and military instructors (including Naval instructors and a Naval Air Squadron) that take the student from basic flying through to more advanced flying such as instrument flying, navigation, formation and captaincy.

Its aviators fly one of four types of helicopters:

====Commando Merlin====
[[File:Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC3-3A (28450747245).jpg|alt=|left|thumb|A Merlin HC3 of Commando Helicopter Force.]]
The HC4/4A [[AgustaWestland AW101|AW101 Merlin]] (nicknamed "Junglie Merlin") serves as a medium lifter and troop transporter in support of the [[Royal Marines]]. The FAA received the Merlin HC3/HC3A fleet from the RAF, replacing the Commando Sea King in September 2014. These have been marinised and replaced with HC4s/HC4As, under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) that was placed on contract in December 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://des.mod.uk/merlin-mk4-delivery/|title=DE&S delivers Merlin Mk4 |date= 24 May 2018 |publisher=Defence Equipment & Support }}</ref>

====Commando Wildcat AH1====

[[File:ZZ383 Agusta Westland AW159 Wildcat AH1 Helicopter Army Air Corps (39630622085).jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat AH1]] Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter (BRH) used by [[847 Naval Air Squadron|847 NAS]].]]

The [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|AW159 Wildcat]]: the BRH (Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter) replaces the [[Westland Lynx]] as the Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter of the FAA. Along with the Commando Merlin, these squadrons operate under [[Commando Helicopter Force]], which provides airborne support to [[United Kingdom Commando Force|UK Commando Force]] of the Royal Marines.

====Wildcat HMA2====
[[File:Royal Navy Wildcat Helicopter MOD 45158434.jpg|thumb|A [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat HMA2]] of [[700 Naval Air Squadron|700(W) NAS]] conducting trials off [[HMS Monmouth (F235)|HMS Monmouth.]]]]
The [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat HMA2]] became the standard small ship borne helicopter in the FAA, with 28 Wildcats replacing the Lynx HMA8 in 2017. Twenty-eight [[AgustaWestland AW159|AW159 Wildcat HMA2]] helicopters perform a range of roles including anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare and airborne surveillance.

====Merlin HM2====
[[File:Royal Navy Merlin Helicopter Launching a Training Torpedo MOD 45157953.jpg|alt=|thumb|A Merlin HM2 aircraft of [[824 Naval Air Squadron|824 NAS.]]]]
The [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin]] HM2 ("Grey Merlin") is the FAA's primary anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, having replaced the Sea King HAS6 in the role. It is presently deployed with various ships of the Royal Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/aircraft/helicopters/merlin-mk2|title= Merlin Mk 2 &#124; Royal Navy}}</ref> 

Merlin HM2 also incorporates an [[Airborne early warning and control|airborne early warning and surveillance]] (AEW) variant, known as Crowsnest, which replaced the ASaC7 variant of the [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]]. The first Merlin HM2 test flight with Crowsnest was completed in April 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/04/first-flight-for-royal-navys-merlin-crowsnest-aew-helicopter/|title=First Flight For Royal Navy's Merlin Crowsnest AEW Helicopter   |last=Vavasseur  |first=Xavier
 |date= 11 April 2019 |website=Naval News }}</ref> However, initial operating capability of the system was significantly delayed. While Crowsnest was deployed with the U.K. carrier strike group in 2021, it experienced operating challenges and finally achieved initial operating capability in July 2023. Full operating capability was expected in 2024/25. While all Merlins in the Royal Navy will be equipped to operate Crowsnest, only ten kits for the system are being acquired. It has been reported that initially five Merlins will be equipped with Crowsnest, three of these being normally assigned to the "high readiness" aircraft carrier.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navylookout.com/crowsnest-airborne-surveillance-and-control-due-to-achieve-initial-operating-capability-in-2023/ | title=Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control due to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2023 &#124; Navy Lookout | date=19 December 2022 }}</ref> Challenges involved in the Crowsnest program have led the Royal Navy to seek a replacement for its helicopter-based AEW platform with a new fixed-wing UAV, under [[Project Vixen]], by 2030.<ref name="VixenAEW">{{cite news |last1=Allison |first1=George |title=Royal Navy looking at fixed-wing carrier based drone for AEW |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-navy-looking-at-fixed-wing-carrier-based-drone-for-aew/ |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=[[UK Defence Journal]] |date=2 April 2021}}</ref> 

In 2025, nine Merlin HM2s from 820 Squadron were specifically assigned to embark on [[HMS Prince of Wales (R09)|HMS Prince of Wales]] as part of the Royal Navy's [[UK Carrier Strike Group|carrier strike group]] deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. Six of the Merlins deployed in the ASW role and three in the AEW role, with the Crowsnest system having formally reached full operating capability.<ref>{{cite news |title=Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 Crowsnest Airborne Early Warning Helicopters Reach Full Operational Capability |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2025/04/29/royal-navy-merlin-mk2-crowsnest-airborne-early-warning-helicopters-reach-full-operational-capability/ |access-date=29 April 2025 |work=Overt Defense |last=L |first=Albert |date=29 April 2025}}</ref>

===Unmanned===
As of 2024, the Royal Navy operated a number of small UAVs, including the [[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma|AeroVironment Puma AE]] and Ebee Vision.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2024/september/20/240920-royal-navy-tests-technology-in-portugal | title=A range of drones and uncrewed vessels are deployed on a major international exercise in Portugal as the Royal Navy looks to push its latest technology to its limits. |website=Royal Navy |date=20 September 2024 | access-date=25 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.supplycore.com/catalog/unmanned-systems-counter-uas/drones/ebee-vision/ | title=eBee VISION |website=SupplyCore | access-date=25 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://campaign.ageagle.com/ebee-vision-drone | title=eBee VISION |website=AgEagle | access-date=25 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/august/17/200817-700x-three-new-flights|title = Navy's drone experts 700X NAS ready to deploy on warships}}</ref> In 2024, the Navy reported that there were a total of nine  qualified Puma teams, six of which were dedicated to supporting the Royal Marines in [[40 Commando|40]] and [[45 Commando]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2024/october/08/20241008-700x-5th-anniversary | title=Royal Navy experts are embracing the next generation tech as they celebrate five successful years operating drones on the front line. |work=Royal Navy |date=8 October 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref> As of 2024, a total of 75 Puma AE, 15 Puma LE (long endurance) and 39 [[AeroVironment Wasp III]] UAVs were in the U.K. inventory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F67b897abba253db298782c46%2FUK_armed_forces_equipment_and_formations_2024.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK |title=UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024; Worksheet 7 Fixed Wing and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems |work=UK Government Statistics |date= 27 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2021/british-navy-sailors-conduct-training-and-trial-with-puma-drone-from-hms-tamar-patrol-vessel |title=British Navy sailors conduct training and trial with Puma drone from HMS Tamar patrol vessel. |work=Army Recognition |date= 6 January 2021}}</ref> 

The FAA's inventory was further boosted with the addition of the [[Schiebel Camcopter S-100|Peregrine rotary-wing UAV]] which started trials on [[HMS Lancaster (F229)|HMS Lancaster]] in August 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/peregrine-rotary-wing-uav-to-enter-service-with-the-royal-navy/ |title=Peregrine rotary wing UAV to enter service with the Royal Navy |website=Navy Lookout |date=10 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/peregrine-rotary-wing-uas-conducts-initial-royal-navy-flying-trials-from-hms-lancaster/ |title=Peregrine rotary wing UAS conducts initial Royal Navy flying trials from HMS Lancaster |website=Navy Lookout |date=11 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1838876479343468865?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |title=@NavyLookout Recent photos showing two Peregrine RWUAS embarked on @HMSLANCASTER for trials in the Indian Ocean. Both aircraft fitted with the Thales I-Master radar with tactical data link integrated into ship's combat managment [sic] system. |number=1838876479343468865 |user=NavyLookout |date=25 September 2024 |access-date=25 September 2024}}</ref> In 2025 it was announced that, as part of its deployment east of Suez, [[HMS Prince of Wales (R09)]] will carry a small fleet of [[Malloy Aeronautics T150]] UAVs. The drone is designed to provide lightweight logistics/transport support for Royal Navy deployments. Nine T-150 drones are operated by 700X Naval Air Squadron.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Navy to integrate logistics drones on Carrier Strike Group deployment |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-to-integrate-uncrewed-logistics-drones-on-carrier-strike-group-deployment/ |website=Navy Lookout |access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>

===Future===
A number of unmanned systems are under development for the Fleet Air Arm including fixed-wing UAVs, envisaged for potential operation from the ''Queen Elizabeth''-class carriers. These programs are in the conceptual or planning stages under a program known as [[Project Vixen]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-royal-navy-has-ambitious-plans-for-its-future-maritime-aviation-force/ |title=The Royal Navy has ambitious plans for its Future Maritime Aviation Force |website=Navy Lookout |date=2 June 2023}}</ref>

===Squadrons and flights===
A Fleet Air Arm flying squadron is formally titled Naval Air Squadron (NAS),<ref name="rn-nas"/> a title used as a suffix to the squadron number. The FAA assigns numbers in the 700–799 range to training and operational conversion squadrons and numbers in the 800–899 range to operational squadrons. Exceptions to the 700–799 include operational conversion squadrons which also hold some form of operational commitment where they are then titled 800–899. During WWII the 1700 and 1800 ranges were also used for operational squadrons.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+Active FAA squadrons<ref name="rn-nas">{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/naval-air-squadrons |title=Naval Air Squadrons |work=royalnavy.mod.uk |access-date=6 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727190839/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/naval-air-squadrons/ |archive-date=27 July 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
|-
! style="text-align:left; width:17%;"|Unit
! style="text-align:left; width:10%;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; width:17%;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align:left; width:10%;"|Base
! style="text-align:left; width:18%;"|Role
! style="text-align:left; width:30%;"|Notes
|-
! colspan=6|Flying squadrons
|-
| rowspan=2|[[700 Naval Air Squadron|700X Naval Air Squadron]]
| rowspan=2|[[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]
| rowspan=2|[[AeroVironment Wasp III]], [[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma|AeroVironment Puma AE/LE]], [[Schiebel Camcopter S-100|Peregrine ISR]],<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/august/17/200817-700x-three-new-flights|title=Navy's Drone Experts 700X NAS ready to deploy on warships |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=17 August 2020 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=17 August 2020 }}</ref> [[Malloy Aeronautics T150|T-150 logistics support UAVs]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Navy to integrate logistics drones on Carrier Strike Group deployment |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-to-integrate-uncrewed-logistics-drones-on-carrier-strike-group-deployment/ |website=Navy Lookout |access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref> 
| rowspan=2|[[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|RNAS Culdrose]]
| Remotely Piloted Aircraft System shipborne flights<ref name="UAV">{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/november/25/141125-700x-scan-eagle|title=X-men take to the Cornish skies |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=25 November 2014 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=25 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128050626/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/november/25/141125-700x-scan-eagle|archive-date=28 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rowspan=2|Provides HQ function for Puma AE/LE and other UAV flights; serves as evaluation unit for any future UAV systems selected by the Royal Navy<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/peregrine-rotary-wing-uas-conducts-initial-royal-navy-flying-trials-from-hms-lancaster/ |title=Peregrine rotary wing UAS conducts initial Royal Navy flying trials from HMS Lancaster |website=Navy Lookout |date=11 September 2024}}</ref>
|-
|RPAS future trials unit<ref name="UAV" />
|-
| [[703 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Fixed-wing
|[[Grob G 120TP|Grob Prefect]]
| [[RAF Barkston Heath]]
| Elementary flying training
| Part of the Joint Elementary Flying Training School (JEFTS)
|-
| [[705 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Rotary
| [[Eurocopter EC135|Eurocopter Juno HT1]]
| [[RAF Shawbury]]
| Basic and advanced multi-engine helicopter training
| Part of 2 Maritime Air Wing (within [[No. 1 Flying Training School RAF|1 FTS]]) alongside [[No. 660 Squadron AAC|660 Squadron AAC]] and [[No. 202 Squadron RAF|202 Squadron RAF]]
|-
| [[727 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Fixed-wing
| [[Grob G 115|Grob Tutor T1]]
| [[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|RNAS Yeovilton]]
| Pilot grading and Air Experience/Elementary Flying Training<ref>{{cite web|title=727 NAS takes on extra training role to pave way for Lightning II stealth fighters|url=https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/15735|website=Navy News|access-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119053145/https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/15735|archive-date=19 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
|rowspan=2| [[744 Naval Air Squadron]]
|rowspan=2| Rotary
|[[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HM2 Crowsnest]]
|rowspan=2| [[MoD Boscombe Down]]
|rowspan=2| Operational Test and Evaluation<ref>{{cite web |author=Royal Navy |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2018/november/14/181114-naval-air-squadron-reforms |title=Naval squadron re-forms after 60 years to test cutting-edge weaponry |publisher=Royal Navy |date=14 November 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030513/https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2018/november/14/181114-naval-air-squadron-reforms |archive-date=15 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
|rowspan=2| Tri-service unit<br />Formerly Mission Systems and Armament Test and Evaluation Squadron RAF<ref>{{cite web |author=Fleet Air Arm Association |url=https://www.fleetairarmoa.org/news/744-nas-commissioning |title=744 NAS Commissioning |publisher=Fleet Air Arm Association |date=19 October 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114224927/https://www.fleetairarmoa.org/news/744-nas-commissioning |archive-date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Chinook HC5/HC6]]
|-
| [[750 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Fixed-wing
| [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft Avenger T1]]
| RNAS Culdrose
| Observer grading and training
|
|-
| [[809 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Fixed-wing
| [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning]]
| [[RAF Marham]]
| Carrier strike
| Operates as part of [[No. 1 Group RAF]] under [[RAF Air Command]]
|-
| [[814 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Rotary
| [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HM2]]
| RNAS Culdrose
| Anti-submarine warfare (small ship flights)
| Merged with [[829 Naval Air Squadron|829 NAS]] in 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/submarine-hunting-829-naval-air-squadron-decommissioned|title=Submarine Hunting 829 Naval Air Squadron Decommissioned|author=Ricks, Rebecca|date=28 March 2018|website=Forces News|publisher=BFBS|access-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080105/https://www.forces.net/news/submarine-hunting-829-naval-air-squadron-decommissioned|archive-date=30 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[815 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Rotary
| [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat HMA2]]<ref name="wildcat" /><ref name="finalwildcat">{{cite web |url=https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/15405 |title=Yeovilton is now totally wild as last new helicopter is delivered |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=26 October 2016 |website=Navy News |access-date=30 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030142311/https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/15405 |archive-date=30 October 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/royal-navy-lynx-hma8-fleet-bows-out-of-service-435293/|title=Royal Navy Lynx HMA8 fleet bows out of service|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=17 March 2017|website=Flightglobal|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317193238/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/royal-navy-lynx-hma8-fleet-bows-out-of-service-435293/|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| RNAS Yeovilton
| Attack/ASW (small ship flights)
|
|-
|rowspan=2|[[820 Naval Air Squadron]]
|rowspan=2|Rotary
| [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HM2]]
|rowspan=2|RNAS Culdrose
| Anti-submarine warfare (carrier air group)
|rowspan=2|Attached to both HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' and HMS ''Prince of Wales''{{'}}s air groups<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/july/03/170703-young-pilot-makes-history-with-first-deck-landing-on-hms-queen-elizabeth|title=Young pilot makes history with first deck landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth – Royal Navy|website=royalnavy.mod.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706195750/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/july/03/170703-young-pilot-makes-history-with-first-deck-landing-on-hms-queen-elizabeth|archive-date=6 July 2017}}</ref><br />Merged with [[849 Naval Air Squadron|849 NAS]] in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/july/14/200714-820-nas-named-fleet-air-arm-s-safety-champions |title=820 NAS named Fleet Air Arm's safety champions |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=14 July 2020 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=24 July 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/678388/response/1613863/attach/2/FOI%202020%2008297%20Final%20response.pdf |title= 849 NAS |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=6 August 2020 |via=WhatDoTheyKnow |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=6 August 2020 |id=FOI2020/08297}}</ref>

|-
| [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HM2 Crowsnest]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/83208/skasac-takes-final-bow-ahead-of-retirement |title=SKASaC takes final bow ahead of retirement |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=21 September 2018 |website=Jane's 360 |publisher=Jane's |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012175803/https://www.janes.com/article/83208/skasac-takes-final-bow-ahead-of-retirement |archive-date=12 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name=crowsnest>{{cite web|url=https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/15715|title=Merlins receive £269m to convert them into the Navy's 'flying eyes'|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=16 January 2017|website=Navy News|access-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330075947/https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/15715|archive-date=30 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Airborne surveillance
|-
| rowspan=2|[[824 Naval Air Squadron]]
| rowspan=2|Rotary
| rowspan=2|[[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HM2]]
| rowspan=2|RNAS Culdrose
| Conversion Training (Merlin ASW)
| rowspan=2|Will have responsibility for all conversion training for Merlin HM2<ref name=crowsnest />
|-
| Conversion Training (Merlin Crowsnest)
|-
| [[825 Naval Air Squadron]]
|Rotary
| [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat HMA2]]
| RNAS Yeovilton
|Conversion Training (Wildcat)
| Formed by merger of [[700 Naval Air Squadron|700W NAS]] and [[702 Naval Air Squadron|702 NAS]] in August 2014<ref name="wildcat">{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/may/23/140523-wildcat-evolution |title=The Lynx Wildcat evolution |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=23 May 2014 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=17 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528102434/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/may/23/140523-wildcat-evolution |archive-date=28 May 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
|-
| [[845 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Rotary
| [[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HC4/HC4A]]
| RNAS Yeovilton
| Very High Readiness Medium lift
| rowspan=4|Part of [[Commando Helicopter Force|CHF]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[846 Naval Air Squadron]]
|rowspan=2|Rotary
|rowspan=2|[[AgustaWestland AW101|Merlin HC4]]
|rowspan=2|RNAS Yeovilton
| Extremely High Readiness Medium lift
|-
| Conversion Training (Merlin Commando)
|-
| [[847 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Rotary
| [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Wildcat AH1]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/helicopter-squadrons/wildcat/847-naval-air-squadron|title=847 Naval Air Squadron – Royal Navy|work=mod.uk|access-date=8 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613071525/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/helicopter-squadrons/wildcat/847-naval-air-squadron|archive-date=13 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
| RNAS Yeovilton
| Battlefield reconnaissance and support
|-
!colspan=6|Non-flying squadrons
|-
| [[1700 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Rotary and fixed-wing
|
| RNAS Culdrose
| Flight deck activities, logistic and catering support, operations, engineering Support, even medical assistance
| Technical support<br />Formerly Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF)
|-
| [[1710 Naval Air Squadron]]
| Rotary and fixed-wing
|
| [[HMNB Portsmouth]]
| Specialist aircraft repair, modification and scientific support
| Technical support
|}

An additional flying unit of the Royal Navy is the FOST Helicopter Support Unit based at [[HMS Raleigh (shore establishment)|HMS ''Raleigh'']] in Cornwall. This unit is not part of the Fleet Air Arm, but is directly under the control of [[Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training|Fleet Operational Sea Training]], operated by [[British International Helicopters]] (BIH).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishinternationalhelicopters.com/services/military|title=British International Helicopters – Royal Navy Contracting}}</ref> BIH also support various Royal Navy and NATO exercises with passenger and freight transfer services and transfers by hoist, for ships exercising both in the Atlantic and the North Sea.

The Royal Navy share both operational and training duties on the Lightning II with the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] under a banner organisation called the [[Lightning Force HQ|Lightning Force]], which will operate in the same manner as [[Joint Force Harrier]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/uk-lightning-force-stands-f-35b-operations-edwards-afb |title=U.K. 'Lightning Force' Stands Up F-35B Operations At Edwards AFB |last=Norris |first=Guy |date=10 February 2015 |website=Aerospace Daily |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219171540/http://aviationweek.com/defense/uk-lightning-force-stands-f-35b-operations-edwards-afb |archive-date=19 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Until March 2019, the Fleet Air Arm had responsibility for the [[Royal Navy Historic Flight]], a heritage unit of airworthy aircraft representing the history of aviation in the Royal Navy. The Historic Flight was disbanded on 31 March 2019, with responsibility for maintaining and operating the aircraft transferred to Navy Wings, a charitable body that also runs the Fly Navy Heritage Trust.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/royal-navy-historic-flight-stands-down-after-50-years/ |title=Royal Navy Historic Flight Stands Down after 50 Years |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=29 March 2019 |website=Navy Wings |access-date=25 April 2019 }}</ref>

==Notable members==
{{see also|Royal Naval Air Service#Notable personnel}}
[[File:Richard Bell-Davies VC IWM Q 69475.jpg|thumb|[[Vice-Admiral]] [[Richard Bell Davies]], first naval aviator to receive the [[Victoria Cross|VC]] and the first naval aviator of the Fleet Air Arm to reach [[flag rank]]]]
<!-- [[WP:NFCC]] violation: [[File:Eric Brown.jpg|thumb|[[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] [[Eric "Winkle" Brown]], as a [[test pilot]] he made the first ever jet landing on an [[aircraft carrier]] in December 1945.]] -->
* [[Vice-Admiral]] [[Richard Bell Davies]] (1886–1966): the first naval aviator to receive the [[Victoria Cross|VC]] and the first naval aviator of the Fleet Air Arm to reach [[flag rank]]
* [[Vice-Admiral]] Sir [[Lumley Lyster]] (1888–1957): drew up attack plan in 1935 that was used for the [[Battle of Taranto]] five years later
* [[Admiral]] [[Reginald Henry Portal|Sir Reginald Portal]] (1894–1983): naval aviator who was the younger brother of [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] [[Charles Portal, 1st Viscount Portal of Hungerford|Lord Portal]] (1893–1971)
* [[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] [[Henry Fancourt]] (1900–2004): a pioneering aviator, he had a distinguished career in naval aviation until 1949. Worked for [[Short Brothers|Short Bros and Hartland]].
* [[Ralph Richardson]] (1902–1983): English stage and screen actor, volunteered as a navy pilot during Second World War and rose to the rank of lieutenant-commander in the Air Branch.
* [[Admiral of the fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] [[Caspar John|Sir Caspar John]] (1903–1984): [[First Sea Lord]] 1960–63 and the first British naval aviator to reach the highest rank within the RN.
* [[Admiral]] Sir [[Walter Couchman]] (1905–1981): naval [[Air observer|observer]] who earned his pilot's wings too, he led the [[fly-past]] for the [[Coronation]] [[Fleet Review]] in June 1953.
* [[Laurence Olivier]] (1907–1989): English stage and screen actor and director, volunteered as a navy pilot during the Second World War and rose to the rank of lieutenant in the Air Branch.
* [[Duncan Hamilton (racing driver)|Duncan Hamilton]]: English Grand Prix driver and winner of the [[1953 24 Hours of Le Mans]].
* [[Lieutenant Commander]] (A) [[Eugene Esmonde]] (1909–1942): posthumously awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] for leading [[825 Naval Air Squadron]] [[Fairey Swordfish|Swordfish torpedo bombers]] in an attack on German capital ships during the "[[Channel Dash]]".
* Lieutenant Commander [[Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner]] (1916-1944): awarded the Distinguished Service Order for leading [[Operation Tungsten]] attack on the [[German battleship Tirpitz|German battleship ''Tirpitz'']].
* [[Michael Hordern]] (1911–1995): actor, served as fighter controller during World War II.
* [[Jeffrey Quill]] (1913–1996): RAF officer and Spitfire test pilot (Vickers-Armstrongs) who served five months with Fleet Air Arm as T/Lt.Cdr RNVR in 1944–1945, helping to develop better carrier deck-landings with the [[Supermarine Seafire]], the naval version of the Spitfire.
* [[Kenneth More]] (1914–1982): actor, including films such as ''[[Reach for the Sky]]'' and ''[[Sink the Bismarck]]''.
* [[Commander (Royal Navy)|Commander]] [[Charles Lamb (Royal Navy officer)|Charles Lamb]] (1914–1981): author of the Second World War Fleet Air Arm autobiography ''War in a Stringbag''.
* [[Vice-Admiral]] Sir [[Peter Compston]] (1915–2000): served briefly in the British Army, then in the RAF for two years, before transferring as a pilot to the Royal Navy in 1938.
* [[Admiral]] Sir (Leslie) [[Derek Empson]] (1918–1997): naval pilot who joined the [[Royal Navy]] as a [[naval rating]]. In his flying career, executed 782 [[aircraft carrier]] landings without a mishap.
* Rear-Admiral Cedric Kenelm Roberts (1918–2011): (always known as 'Chico') a distinguished naval pilot who joined the [[Royal Navy]] as a [[naval rating]] in 1940. He was personal pilot to Vice-Admiral [[Lumley Lyster]] in 1943, commanded three [[Naval Air Squadron]]s and was shot down during the Korean War. Later, he commanded three [[Naval Air Station]]s and ended his naval flying career as Flag Officer Naval Flying Training 1968–71.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/8742982/Rear-Admiral-Chico-Roberts.html |title=Rear-Admiral 'Chico' Roberts |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=5 September 2011 |location=London |issn=0307-1235 |oclc=49632006 |access-date=22 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408075019/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/naval-obituaries/8742982/Rear-Admiral-Chico-Roberts.html |archive-date=8 April 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
* [[Lieutenant-Commander]] Charles Wines ("Charlie Wines") (1917–1991): joined the [[Royal Navy]] as a Supply Assistant, flew [[Fairey Swordfish|Swordfish]] [[torpedo bomber]] as a rating pilot in the Second World War. Commissioned as a pilot in 1944 he later spent more than twenty years, in the same job as a serving and retired officer, as the FAA Drafting Officer and as such the career manager for thousands of FAA ratings.
* Rear-Admiral [[Dennis Cambell]] (1907–2000): inventor of the angled [[flight deck]] for [[aircraft carriers]] in 1951.
* Rear-Admiral [[Nicholas Goodhart|Nick Goodhart]] (1919–2011): inventor of the mirror-sight [[Optical landing system|deck landing system]] for aircraft carriers in 1951.
* [[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] [[Eric "Winkle" Brown]] (1919–2016): holds the world record for the most types of aircraft flown by an individual (487 types). As a [[test pilot]] he made the first-ever jet landing on an [[aircraft carrier]] in December 1945.
* [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[John Moffat (pilot)|John Moffat]] (1919–2016): crippled the {{Ship|German battleship|Bismarck||2|up=yes}} on 26 May 1941.
* Admiral Sir [[John Treacher]] (1924–2018): naval pilot who was promoted rear-admiral at the age of 45 and held four important flag appointments before leaving the Royal Navy in 1977, despite many expecting him to become [[First Sea Lord]], for a career in business. Was at the helm of [[Westland Affair|Westland during the political drama]] of the 1980s.
* Admiral Sir [[Raymond Lygo|Ray Lygo]] (1924–2012): naval pilot who joined the [[Royal Navy]] as a naval rating in 1942 and who reached [[First Sea Lord]] in 1978, led a successful career in industry and was chief executive and deputy chairman of [[British Aerospace]] in the 1980s.
* Sir [[George Martin]] (1926–2016): record producer for [[The Beatles]].
* [[Admiral of the Fleet]] [[David Benjamin Bathurst|Sir Ben Bathurst]] (1936–): [[First Sea Lord]] 1993–95 and the last [[Royal Navy]] officer to be promoted to five-star rank.
* [[Rear-Admiral]] Sir [[Robert Woodard (Royal Navy officer)|Robert Woodard]] (c.1939–): naval aviator commanded two [[Naval Air Squadron]]s, two warships, a [[Naval Air Station]], the [[HMNB Clyde|Clyde submarine base]] and ended his career as the Flag Officer Royal Yachts 1990–95, the only aviator to command the Royal Yacht {{Ship|HMY|Britannia}}.
* [[Commander (Royal Navy)|Commander]] [[Sharkey Ward|Nigel David "Sharkey" Ward]] (1943–2024): commanded [[801 Naval Air Squadron]] during the 1982 [[Falklands War]].
* Rear-Admiral [[Iain Henderson (Royal Navy officer)|Iain Henderson]] (c. 1948–): the first officer, and first naval officer, to hold the modern appointment of [[Air Officer Commanding]] [[3 Group]] 2000–01.
* Vice-Admiral Sir [[Adrian Johns]] (c. 1952–) is the first naval aviator to hold the post of [[Governor of Gibraltar]].
* Commander [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York]] (1960–): served during the [[Falklands War]] 1982 and for some years afterwards.
* Captain [[Brian Young (Royal Navy officer)|Brian Young]] (1930–2009): former [[Hawker Sea Hawk|Sea Hawk]] pilot, later commanded the task group for [[Operation Paraquet]] during the Falklands War.
* [[John Cecil Moore]] English pilot, author and conservationist. Born in Tewksbury 1907 died Bristol 1967. Served in WW2

Some 64 naval pilots and nine [[Air observer|observers]] have reached [[flag rank]] in the [[Royal Navy]] and four [[Royal Marines]] pilots general rank in the Royal Marines. Four of these admirals with pilot's 'wings' were air engineering officers ([[test pilots]]) and two were [[supply officer]]s; two of the non-executive officers reached four-star rank: a [[supply officer]], [[Admiral]] Sir Brian Brown (1934–), and a Royal Marine, General Sir [[Peter Whiteley (Royal Marines officer)|Peter Whiteley]] (1920–2016).
* At least 21 naval Air Engineer Officers (AEOs) have reached flag rank (including the four test pilots (see above)).

==See also==
* [[Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit]]
* [[List of air stations of the Royal Navy]]
* [[List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadrons]]
* [[List of aircraft wings of the Royal Navy]]
* [[List of Fleet Air Arm groups]]
* [[List of all naval aircraft current and former of the United Kingdom]]
* [[List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm]]
* [[List of active United Kingdom military aircraft]]
* [[Fleet Air Arm Memorial]]
* [[List of Fleet Air Arm battle honours]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=The Influence of Air Power Upon History |url=https://archive.org/details/influenceofairpo0000boyn |url-access=registration |last=Boyne |first=Walter J. |publisher=Pelican Publishing |isbn=9781455606337 |year=2003}}
* {{cite book |title=Battle For Air Supremacy Over The Somme: 1 June-30 November 1916 |first=Thomas G. |last=Bradbeer |publisher=Pickle Partners Publishing |year=2014|isbn=9781782896036}}
* {{cite book |last=Darling |first=Kev |year=2009 |title=Fleet Air Arm Carrier War: The History of British Naval Aviation |location=Barnsley |publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation |isbn=978-1-84415-903-1}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Hackett |editor-first=James |title=The Military Balance 2010 |date=3 February 2010 |location=London |publisher=Routledge for the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |isbn=978-1-85743-557-3 |ref=IISS2010}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Manning |editor-first=Charles |year=2000 |title=Fly Navy: The View from the Cockpit 1945–2000 |location=Barnsley |publisher=Leo Cooper |isbn=085052-732-5}}
* {{cite book |title=Documents Relating to the Naval Air Service: 1908–1918 |volume=I |last=Roskill |first=Stephen Wentworth |year=1969 |publisher=Navy Records Society |location=London}}
* {{cite book |last1=Sturtivant |first1=Ray |first2=Theo |last2=Ballance |year=1994 |title=The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm |location=Kent, UK |publisher=Air Britain |isbn=0-85130-223-8}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.aircrewman.org.uk Fleet Air Arm Rating Aircrewmans Association]
* [http://www.faaa.org.uk Fleet Air Arm Association]
* [http://www.fleetairarmoa.org Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association]

{{His Majesty's Naval Service}}

[[Category:Fleet Air Arm| ]]
[[Category:1937 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Gosport]]
[[Category:Military in Hampshire]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1937]]
[[Category:Naval aviation units and formations of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Somerset]]
[[Category:South Somerset]]