Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the naval aviation component of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy (RN). The FAA is one of five RN fighting arms. As of 2023 it is a predominantly "rotary" force, with helicopters undertaking roles once performed by biplanes such as the Fairey Swordfish. It operates the F-35 Lightning II for maritime strike and the AW159 Wildcat and AW101 Merlin for commando and anti-submarine warfare.
| Fleet Air Arm | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1914 (As the Royal Naval Air Service) 1924 (as the naval branch of the Royal Air Force) 1937 (as part of Naval Service) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Size | 5,000 personnel c. 160 aircraft |
| Part of | Naval Service |
| Engagements | Second World War Korean War Operation Musketeer (Suez Crisis) Falklands War Gulf War Bosnia Afghanistan War Iraq War |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Commodore-in-Chief | The Princess of Wales |
| Commodore Fleet Air Arm | Commodore Nicholas M. Walker |
| Insignia | |
| White Ensign | |
| Roundels | |
| Fin flashes | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Wildcat HMA2 |
| Fighter | F-35B Lightning II |
| Patrol | Merlin HM2 Wildcat HMA2 |
| Reconnaissance | AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma Commando Wildcat AH1 |
| Trainer | Avenger T1 Prefect T1 Tutor T1 Juno HT1 Jupiter HT1 |
| Transport | Commando Merlin HC4/4A |
| His Majesty's Naval Service of the British Armed Forces |
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| Components |
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| History and future |
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| Ships |
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| Personnel |
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| Auxiliary services |
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The Fleet Air Arm was formed in 1924 as an organisational unit of the Royal Air Force (RAF), which was then operating the aircraft embarked on RN ships. 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 until mid-1939. During the Second World War, the FAA operated aircraft on ships as well as land-based aircraft that defended the Royal Navy's shore establishments and facilities.