Woking Sea Cadets, Surrey: Royal Navy

The photos used below are a very small selection of the photos that can be viewed on the Royal Navy website http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk, which will give more information about the subject matter on this page. See the 'Useful Websites' page.

SOME BASIC FACTS

JET AIRCRAFT

The Sea Harrier FA2 (Fighter Attack 2) is a single seat multi-role day/night all-weather fighter. It is the UK’s only truly multi-role jet aircraft. Its short take-off and vertical landing capability dramatically enhances the ability of the Invincible class of Aircraft Carriers to project air power. Its main task is providing a carrier group with air defence. The FA2 is gradually being phased out.
GR9 Harriers are being phased in to replace the FA2 Harrier squadrons. Both the Royal Navy and the RAF will use the GR9, in which more weight is given to ground strike capability than air defence (fighter) capability. This is because of a political decision that, in modern warfare, ground attack is more important than air defence at sea. (Eventually the GR9 will itself be replaced by the JSF - see below)

The Joint Strike Fighter, currently being developed jointly with the US, will replace the Navy and RAF’s Harriers. It is planned to enter service in 2012 - a date that will coincide with the arrival of the first of the RN's new aircraft carriers.

150 of these single-seaters are planned; they will form the strike force of the Navy's carriers, providing the agility of a light fighter and the punch of a bomber. The JSF will operate in all weathers, fly day and night missions, and be used for air defence of the fleet and of ground forces. It will also be capable of tactical reconnaissance (i.e. exploratory surveys of enemy territory to gain information). Relative to the Harrier, it will have superior survivability and supportability as well as increased range.

The stealthy, supersonic multi-role fighter is to be designated the F-35. It is being built in three variants: A, B, and C. The variant to be used by our own Royal Navy - a Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft - will be known as the F-35B.(Photo obtained from http://www.airforce-technology.com)

HELICOPTERS

Merlin - anti submarine warfare
Lynx - anti surface and anti submarine warfare
Gazelle AH-1 - reconnaissance and communications
Sea King - troop carrying, airborne surveillance and area control, SAR

However, helicopters are versatile and flexible platforms and each helicopter is not restricted to the roles above and can carry out any number of subsidiary roles.

The Merlin

The Merlin HM Mk 1 is a replacement for the anti-submarine Sea King. The Merlin HM Mk 1 is replacing the anti-submarine Sea King helicopter. It is a derivative of a civilian helicopter. Flown normally by a crew of three, Merlin is designed to operate from both large and small ships' flight decks, in severe weather and high sea states, by day and by night. It is extremely reliable and easy to service. Powered by three Rolls Royce gas turbines, the airframe is of light modular construction yet very tough. The fully folding rotor system is aerodynamically very advanced. With a top speed of 167 knots, the Merlin can carry four homing torpedoes or depth charges, and has sufficient fuel for a radius of operation of over 200 nautical miles. Two linked computers manage the aircraft and its mission system.

The Lynx Mk8
Primarily an anti-surface and anti-submarine helicopter designed to operate from the fleet’s frigates and destroyers, the Mk8 version of this fast and capable aircraft is being fitted with a very advanced Central Tactical System and Passive Identification Device. Each flight comprises a pilot, an observer and a team of seven maintainers. Able to fire the Sea Skua anti-surface missile, which proved highly effective during the Gulf war, the Lynx forms an integral part of the ships detection and weapon system and can project the influence of a ship over great distances with the key element of surprise. The Lynx also has the Sting Ray torpedo and a relatively ‘old’ technology but nevertheless effective depth charge system. The aircraft may also be fitted with a machine gun pod. The home base for all sea borne Lynx craft is RNAS Yeovilton. A second variant of the Lynx is in service with the Royal Navy. The attack/utility version is operated in support of the Royal Marines in conjunction with the Commando Sea King. It fires the TOW anti-armour missile and gives an autonomous and flexible response against tanks and armoured personnel carriers to the Land Force Commander during Amphibious Operations.

Gazelle AH-1
The Gazelle is the 'sports car' of Naval helicopters. It has splendid flying qualities and a forgiving nature. The Navy uses the Gazelle in a reconnaissance and communications role alongside its Lynx attack aircraft.

Sea King
There are two versions of the Sea King helicopter, which has a range of about 400 miles:

The ASaC (Airborne Surveillance and Area Control) Sea King was rapidly brought into service after the Falklands conflict, when it became clear that organic Airborne Early Warning was an essential part of air power at sea. The ASaC platform offers tactical control to the Sea Harrier and other shore and carrier based aircraft. It can detect low flying aircraft trying to attack surface ships under conventional ship borne radar cover.
The Sea King Mk4 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 Land Rovers, 105mm guns, air defence missile systems and up to 27 troops. The Mk4 can detect and deter anti-aircraft radar, missiles and guns.

Future Organic Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (FOAEW)
The Future Organic Airborne Early Warning (FOAEW) aircraft will replace the Sea King Helicopter. It will provide the extended air and surface surveillance, interception and attack control, together with Over-the-Horizon-Targeting for surface launched weapon systems. There are several contenders for the FOAEW aircraft. (The word 'Organic' relates to the fact that the new aircraft is an integral part of the whole - the 'whole' being the carrier's air arm.)

Search And Rescue (SAR) Operations

In addition to its military taskings, the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm provide Search and Rescue cover to UK coastline, 24 hours a day and 365 days per year - typically at 15 minutes notice. Based at RNAS (Royal Naval Air Station) Culdrose in Cornwall and RNAS Prestwick in Scotland, Royal Navy helicopters are constantly available to fly missions. As well as medical evacuations from ships at sea and long range hospital-to-hospital transfers, missions include assistance to vessels in distress and rescue of people in trouble by the cliffs or in the water. Foreign flagged vessels are often assisted and missions take place as far afield as France or the Republic of Ireland §.

HISTORY OF NAVAL AVIATION

The first time an aircraft ever took off from a ship under way at sea was in 1912. This was a Royal Navy aeroplane and the ship concerned was HMS Hibernia. Since then, the Royal Navy has operated tens of thousands of aeroplanes and helicopters - as well as airships, seaplanes and flying boats.

The Royal Navy invented many of the concepts and tactics used by air forces today throughout the world; and it has always had one of the world's largest and most technically advanced ship borne air forces §.

CAREERS

Aircrew Officer, Engineer Officer, Medical Officer, Air Traffic Controller, Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler), Naval Airman (Survival Equipment), Air Engineering Technician §.