Operational Aircraft

The FAA operate both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The FAA uses the same designation system for aircraft as the RAF.

Four different types of fixed wing aircraft are operated by the FAA, three for training, and one operationally. Pilot training is carried out using the Grob G115D2. Observer training is done in the Jetstream T2. By far the most famous of the fixed wing aircraft of the FAA is the Sea Harrier FA2. Its primary role is as a fleet defence fighter, but it can also carry out Suppression of Enemy Air Defence missions using ALARM and bombing missions. It is capable of dropping laser guided bombs if another aircraft or a ground observer designates the target. The fourth type is the Hawk T1, which is used to simulate enemy aircraft for a variety of training purposes, from AEW to Fighter Control, to air to air combat for Sea Harrier pilots.

Today the larger section of the FAA is the rotary wing part. Its aviators fly four different types of helicopter, and within each type there are usually several marks which carry out different roles.

The oldest aircraft in the fleet is the venerable Sea King, which performs a variety of missions in several versions. The Sea King HC4 serves as a troop transporter for the Royal Marines. the HAS5U model operates in the search and rescue and utility roles, while the Sea King HU5 is designed specifically for search and rescue work (although it should be noted that the HAS5Us are often called HU5s as well). The Sea King HAS6 is engaged in the anti-submarine warfare role; the HAS6C for assault transport training; and finally the AsaC7 operates in the Airborne Early Warning role on board Britain's aircraft carriers.

Intermediate in age are the Gazelle and Lynx. Gazelle AH1s and Lynx AH7s, serve the FAA in observation and attack helicopter roles respectively. They are in squadrons that, along with the Sea King HC4s, are permenantly attached to 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines. The surface combatants of the Royal Navy have their helicopters provided for the most part by the Lynx HAS3 and HMA8 aircraft. These Lynxes have an anti-submarine role and anti-surface ship role provided by the Sea Skua missile, which was most prominently used to combat the Iraqi navy in the 1991 Gulf War. The Lynx was originally bought for surface combatants that were too small for the Sea King, but now equips all surface combatants of the Royal Navy.

In 2000 the Sea Harrier force was merged with the RAF's Harrier GR7 fleet to form Joint Force Harrier. With the retirement of the Sea Harrier by 2006, the RAF and RN will share the upgraded Harrier GR9 fleet until the introduction of the VTOL F-35B. These new aircraft will operate from the Navy's new CVF carriers, which are expected to be almost three times larger than the current ships and operate around 50 F-35s. In preparation for the introduction of the F-35, the Fleet Air Arm began withdrawing the Sea Harrier from service in 2004 with the disbandment of 800 NAS. 801 NAS will follow by 2006, leaving fixed wing aviation temporarily in the hands of the RAF. It is planned to reform the FAA fixed-wing squadrons on the Harrier GR9 after 2006.

The newest helicopter in the FAA is the Merlin HM1. This is being bought to replace the Sea King HAS6 is the anti-submarine warfare role, and also to equip some of the surface combatants of the Royal Navy. It is also one of the contenders to replace the Sea King AsaC7s in the AEW role on Britain's planned new aircraft carriers.