Royal Navy’s Sea Venom light anti-ship missile full operating capability delayed until 2026
In a Parliamentary answer, it was revealed this week that the RN’s Wildcat helicopter will not be certified to launch the Sea Venom missile until 2026.
Fleet Air Arm
The Royal Navy has ambitious plans for its Future Maritime Aviation Force
A long-term project is underway to develop a suite of maritime uncrewed air systems (MUAS) to dramatically enhance the carrier air group and RN air power. Here we look at the latest plans for the Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF).
Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters develop surface strike tactics in Norway
Exercise Tamber Shield saw four RN Wildcat helicopters deployed in Norway to develop tactics for the use of Martlet and Sea Venom missiles against fast attack craft.
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Peregrine rotary wing UAV to enter service with the Royal Navy
Under the Future Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FUTAS) programme, the RN has selected the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter which will operate in the intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance role, initially from warships based in the Persian Gulf. More
Could Maritime Protector RPAS operate from Royal Navy aircraft carriers?
In May 2022 General Atomics announced they are developing a Short-Takeoff and Landing (STOL) option for their MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). This opens up the possibility of operating from aircraft carriers and here we examine this in the context of the RN’s Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF) concept.
The Future Maritime Aviation Force – UK naval aviation in 2030
There are a variety of projects currently underway to ensure that naval aviation capability evolves to increase mass, range, persistence, and resilience. Here we look at the Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF) vision for 2030.
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F-35 flying from HMS Queen Elizabeth ditches in the sea
The Ministry of Defence has announced a British F-35 pilot flying from HMS Queen Elizabeth ejected during a routine sortie in the Mediterranean at around 1000 UK time today. Here summarise events and add some perspective to this unfortunate news.More
Royal Navy Wildcat fires the first operational Martlet missile
On 16th October, a Wildcat helicopter conducted the first operational firing of the Marlet missile. The aircraft, 219 flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron and based on HMS Defender launched the missile, successfully hitting the target while flying in the Bay of Bengal.
Cats, traps and UAS – the Royal Navy considers options for carrier-launched drones
It has emerged that the RN is considering fitting catapults and arrestor gear (cats and traps) to the QEC aircraft carriers to enable the operation of Fixed Wing Unmanned Air Systems. (FWUAS) to complement the F-35B Lightning. Here we examine the implications and the considerable challenges involved.