Fleet Air Arm operational aircraft

Three different types of fixed wing aircraft are operated by the FAA, two for training, and one operationally. Pilot training is carried out using the Heron[?]. 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 suppresion 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.

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. The Sea King sees service in its HC4[?] form as a troop transporter for the Royal Marines; as the HAS5U[?] in the search and rescue and utility roles; as HU5[?] specifically for search and rescue work, although it should be noted that the HAS5U's are often called HU5's as well; the HAS6[?] for anti-submarine warfare; the HAS6C[?] for assault transport training; and the AsaC7[?] in the airborne early warning[?] role on board Britain's aircraft carriers.

Intermediate in age are the Gazelle[?] and Lynx. Gazelle AH1[?]'s and Lynx AH7[?]'s, serve the FAA in observation and attack helicopter roles respectively. They are in squadrons that, along with the Sea King HC4's, are permenantly attatched 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 and anti-surface ship role provided by the Sea Skua[?] missile, which was most prominently used to decimate 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.

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 AsaC7's in the AEW role on Britain's planned new aircraft carriers.