List of aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy
Appearance
(Redirected from List of aircraft of the RAN)
This is a list of aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy, including past and present aircraft operated by the Navy of Australia].
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Royal_Australian_Navy_SH-60_at_Malabar2020_Naval_Exercise_in_the_Arabian_Sea.jpg/220px-Royal_Australian_Navy_SH-60_at_Malabar2020_Naval_Exercise_in_the_Arabian_Sea.jpg)
Present
[edit]Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MH-60 Seahawk | ![]() |
ASW | MH-60R | 23 | Operated by 816 Squadron.[1] One was ditched in the Philippine Sea in October 2021.[2] |
Eurocopter EC135 | ![]() |
Training helicopter | EC135 T2+ | 15 | Training aircraft shared with Army |
Historic
[edit]A
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N22 Aerospatiale AS.350 Squirrel | AS 350B Squirrel AS 350BA Squirrel |
France | Rotary wing trainer, light utility, communication, survey, search and rescue, aerobatic display helicopter | 1984–2017 | 24 helicopters. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN and the Australian Defence Force Helicopter School |
N42 AgustaWestland AW109 | A109E Power | Italy United Kingdom |
Two-crew trainer, general utility helicopter | 2007–2012 | Four helicopters were leased from Raytheon Australia in 2007. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN |
A11 Auster Autocar | J/5G Autocar | United Kingdom | Four-seat land-based communications aircraft | 1953–1963 | Two aircraft. Operated by Nos 723, 724 and 725 Squadrons. |
ANA Avro 504 | Avro 504L | United Kingdom | Single-seat fighter-bomber, trainer seaplane | 1920–1921 | One aircraft. The 504L was operated by the Australian Air Corps in support of the Royal Australian Navy. The aircraft was embarked on HMAS Australia and HMAS Sydney. ANA stood for Australian Naval Aircraft. |
B
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N9 Bell UH-1 Iroquois | UH-1B Iroquois UH-1C Iroquois |
United States | Search and rescue, training, utility transport helicopter | 1964–1989 | Seven helicopters. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN. The UH-1H Iroquois were operated by the joint American and Australian Experimental Military Unit. The Iroquois were embarked on board the destroyer HMAS Tobruk. |
N49 Bell 429 GlobalRanger | United States | Training, utility helicopter | 2012–2019[3] | Three helicopter. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN | |
Bombardier Dash 8 | DHC-8-202Q Dash 8 | Canada | Twin-engine land-based hydrographic survey aircraft | 2009–present | One ex-civil aircraft. Operated by the Laser Airborne Depth Sounder Flight RAN |
N5 Bristol Sycamore | HR.Mk 50 Sycamore HR. Mk 51 Sycamore |
United Kingdom | Sea-air rescue and training helicopter | 1953–1961 | 13 helicopters. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN and 724 Squadron RAN. The Sycamores were embarked on board the aircraft carriers HMS Vengeance, HMAS Sydney and HMAS Melbourne. |
C
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N14 CAC/Aermacchi MB 326 | MB 326H "Macchi" CAC CA-30 |
Italy Australia |
Two-seat land-based basic and advanced jet trainer aircraft | 1970–1983 | Ten aircraft. Operated by No. 724 Squadron RAN |
A20 CAC Wirraway | CA-16 Wirraway | Australia | Two-seat land-based trainer, fighter aircraft | 1948–1957 | 17 ex-RAAF aircraft. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN and 724 Squadron RAN |
N17 CAC/Bell 206B-1 Kiowa | Bell 206B-1 Kiowa CAC CA-32 Kiowa |
United States Australia |
Light utility, communication and survey helicopter | 1973–2000 | Six helicopters. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN. The Kiowas were embarked on board the survey ship HMAS Moresby |
D
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N4 de Havilland Sea Venom | FAW Mk 20 Sea Venom FAW.Mk 53 Sea Venom |
United kingdom | Two-seat carrier-borne all-weather fighter-bomber aircraft | 1956–1973 | 39 aircraft. Operated by Nos. 723 Squadron RAN, 724 Squadron RAN, 805 Squadron RAN and 808 Squadron RAN. The FAW Mk 21s were on loan from Royal Navy. The Sea Venoms were embarked on the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne |
A17 de Havilland Tiger Moth | DH.82A Tiger Moth | United Kingdom Australia |
Two-seat land-based biplane trainer, instructional aircraft | 1948–1958 | Three ex-RAAF aircraft. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN |
N6 de Havilland Vampire | Sea Vampire T. Mk 22 Vampire T. Mk 34 Vampire T. 34A |
United Kingdom Australia |
Two-seat land-based pilot trainer aircraft | 1954–1972 | 13 aircraft. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN and 724 Squadron RAN |
N2 Douglas Dakota | C-47A Dakota C-47B Dakota |
United States | Twin-engine land-based transport, navigational trainer aircraft | 1949–1977 | Four aircraft. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN, 724 Squadron RAN, 725 Squadron RAN and 851 Squadron RAN |
E
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N52 Eurocopter EC135 | EC 135 T2+ | Europe | Training helicopter | 2016–present | 15 helicopters |
F
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A10 Fairey III | Fairey IIID | United Kingdom | Three-seat spotter, reconnaissance seaplane | 1921-1929 | six aircraft. Six aircraft were operated by RAAF in support of the Royal Australian Navy. Embarked on the survey ship HMAS Geranium. |
N1 Fairey Firefly | T. Mk 2 Firefly FR. Mk IV Firefly AS. Mk 5 Firefly FR Mk 5 Firefly T. Mk 5 Firefly TT Mk 5 Firefly AS Mk 6 Firefly TT Mk 6 Firefly |
United Kingdom | Two-seat carrier-borne fighter, anti-submarine, reconnaissance aircraft | 1948–1966 | 108 aircraft. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN, 724 Squadron RAN, 725 Squadron RAN, 816 Squadron RAN, 817 Squadron RAN and 851 Squadron RAN. The Fireflies were embarked on board aircraft carriers HMS Vengeance and HMAS Sydney |
N3 Fairey Gannet | AS. Mk 1 Gannet AS. Mk 4 Gannet T. Mk 2 Gannet T. Mk 5 Gannet |
United Kingdom | Three-seat carrier-borne anti-submarine aircraft | 1955–1967 | 36 aircraft. Operated by Nos 724 Squadron RAN, 725 Squadron RAN, 816 Squadron RAN and 817 Squadron RAN. The Gannets were embarked on board the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne |
Fokker F27 | F-27-500 Friendship | Netherlands | Twin-engine land-based hydrographic survey aircraft | 1992–2019 | One ex-civil aircraft. Operated by the Laser Airborne Depth Sounder Flight RAN |
G
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N12 Grumman S-2 Tracker | S-2E Tracker S-2G Tracker |
United States | Four-crew twin-engine anti-submarine patrol aircraft | 1967–1984 | 32 aircraft. Operated by Nos 816 Squadron RAN and 851 Squadron RAN. The Trackers were embarked on the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. See Grumman S-2 Tracker in Australian service. |
H
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hawker Sea Fury | FB.Mk 11 Sea Fury | United Kingdom | Single-seat carrier-borne fighter-bomber aircraft | 1949–1962 | 101 aircraft. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN, 724 Squadron RAN, 725 Squadron RAN, 805 Squadron RAN, 808 Squadron RAN and 850 Squadron RAN. The Sea Furies were embarked on board the aircraft carries HMS Vengeance and HMAS Sydney. |
N 15 Hawker Siddeley 748 | 748 Series 2 | United Kingdom | Twin-engine land-based transport, fleet electronic warfare training aircraft | 1973–2000 | Two aircraft. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN and 851 Squadron RAN |
K
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N29 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite | SH-4G(A) Super Seasprite | United States | Search and rescue, anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare helicopter | 2004–2008 | 11 helicopters. Operated by No. 805 Squadron RAN |
M
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N13 McDonnell Douglas A-4G Skyhawk | A-4G Skyhawk TA-4G Skyhawk |
United States | Single-seat carrier-borne light attack, fighter-bomber aircraft | 1967–1984 | 20 aircraft. Operated by Nos 724 Squadron RAN and 805 Squadron RAN. The Skyhawks were embarked on board the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne |
MRH-90 Taipan | Multi Role Helicopter | EU | TTH: Tactical Transport Helicopter | 2011-2022 | 6 Operated by 808 Squadron. In September 2022, the Australian government ordered 12 MH-60Rs to replace the MRH-90s.[4][5] The MRH-90 Taipan was withdrawn from Navy service in 2022, a year earlier then its retirement overall in 2023. |
N
[edit]Aircraft type | Varants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N40 NHIndustries NH90 | MRH-90 Taipan | Europe | Multi-role transport helicopter | 2013–present | Six helicopters. Operated by No. 808 Squadron RAN |
S
[edit]Aircraft types | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N24 Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk | S-70B-2 Seahawk | United States | Anti-submarine, anti-surface, search and rescue helicopter | 1988–2017 | 16 helicopters. Operated by No. 816 Squadron RAN . The Seahawks were embarked on board the Adelaide-class frigates and Anzac-class frigates. Retired 2017[6] |
N48 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk Romeos | MH-60R Seahawk Romeos | United States | Anti-submarine, anti-surface, search and rescue helicopter | 2013–present | 24 helicopters. Operated by Nos 725 Squadron RAN and 816 Squadron RAN |
Sikorsky H-5 Dragonfly | H03-S | United States | Air-sea rescue, communications helicopter | 1950–1951 | Two helicopter on loan from the US Navy. The helicopter was embarked on board the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney during the Korean War. |
Sopwith 1½ Strutter | 1 Strutter | United States | Two-seat reconnaissance biplane | 1918–1919 | Three aircraft. The aircraft were embarked on board the battlecruiser HMAS Australia |
Sopwith Baby | Baby | United States | Single-seat scout, bomber seaplane | 1917 only | One aircraft. Embarked on board the light cruiser HMAS Brisbane in 1917. |
Sopwith Camel | Camel 2F1 | United Kingdom | Single-seat shipboard fighter-scout biplane | 1917–1919 | Seven aircraft. The Camels were embarked on board the battlecruiser HMAS Australia, and the light cruisers HMAS Sydney and HMAS Melbourne |
Sopwith Pup | Pup | United Kingdom | Single-seat fighter-scout biplane | 1917–1918 | Three aircraft. The Pups were embarked on board the cruisers HMAS Australia and HMAS Sydney |
Supermarine Sea Otter | Type 309 Sea Otter | United Kingdom | Three or four-seat carrier-borne air-sea rescue amphibian aircraft | 1948–1953 | Three aircraft. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN. The Sea Otters were embarked on the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney |
A9 Supermarine Seagull III | Seagull III | United Kingdom | Three-seat spotter, reconnaissance amphibian aircraft | 1925–1936 | Nine aircraft. Operated by the RAAF in support of the Royal Australian Navy. The Seagull IIIs were embarked on board the seaplane tender HMAS Albatross, the cruisers HMAS Australia and HMAS Canberra. |
A2 Supermarine Walrus or (Seagull V) | Seagull V | United Kingdom | Three-seat spotter, reconnaissance amphibian aircraft | 1935–1947 | 24 aircraft. Operated by the RAAF in support of the Royal Australian Navy. The aircraft were embarked on board the cruisers HMAS Australia, HMAS Canberra, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Perth and HMAS Sydney, plus the naval vessels HMAS Manoora and HMAS Westralia. |
A58 Supermarine Spitfire | Spitfire Mk VC Spitfire VIII |
United Kingdom | Single-seat land-based trainer, ground instructional aircraft | 1947–1952 | 14 Ex-RAAF aircraft |
V
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A48 Vought OS2U Kingfisher | OS2U-3 Kingfisher | United States | Two-seat spotter, reconnaissance seaplane | 1948 only | One aircraft. One RAAF aircraft was embarked on board the Antarctic exploration vessel HMAS Wyatt Earp in 1948. |
Vultee A-31 Vengeance | United States | Two seat land based trainer, ground instructional aircraft | 1948–1951 | 12 ex-RAAF aircraft. See Vultee Vengeance in Australian service |
W
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wackett Widgeon | Widgeon Mk I Widgeon Mk II |
Australia | spotter, reconnaissance amphibian aircraft | 1927–1933 | Two aircraft. The Widegons were embarked on board the seaplane tender HMAS Albatross. |
N8 Westland Scout | Scout AH Mk 1 | United Kingdom | Survey, utility helicopter | 1963–1977 | Two helicopters. Operated by No. 723 Squadron RAN. The Scouts were embarked on board the survey ship HMAS Moresby |
N7 Westland Wessex | Wessex Mk 31A Wessex Mk 31B |
United Kingdom | Carrier-borne anti-submarine, search and rescue, utility transport helicopter | 1962–1989 | 27 helicopter. Operated by Nos 723 Squadron RAN, 725 Squadron RAN, 816 Squadron RAN and 817 Squadron RAN. The Wessex helicopters were embarked on board the aircraft carriers HMAS Sydney and HMAS Melbourne. Also the replenishment oiler HMAS Success, and the escort maintenance ship HMAS Stalwart. |
N16 Westland Sea King | Sea King Mk 50 Sea King Mk 50A Sea King Mk 50B |
United Kingdom | Carrier-borne anti-submarine, search and rescue, utility transport helicopter | 1974–2011 | 12 helicopters. Operated by No. 817 Squadron RAN. The Sea kings were embarked on board the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. Also the two Kanimbla-class landing platform amphibious ships, and the escort maintenance ship HMAS Stalwart, and the replenishment oiler HMAS Success and the heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk. |
Civilian aircraft operating under contract
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AgustaWestland AW139 | AW139 | Search and rescue helicopter | 2017- | One helicopter operated by CHC Helicopters | |
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet | Alpha Jet A | France/Germany | 2017-2019 | Three aircraft were operated by Air Affairs/Top Aces | |
IAI Westwind | 1124 Westwind, 1124A Westland II | Israel | Target tug aircraft | Operated by Pel-Air based at HMAS Albatross (air station). | |
Learjet 35 | Learjet 35, Learjet 36 | United States | Support aircraft aircraft | Operated by Pel-Air based at HMAS Albatross (air station). |
Drones/RAV
[edit]Present
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boeing Insitu ScanEagle | United States | Operated by No. 822X Squadron RAN | |||
Schiebel Camcopter S-100 | Austria | Operated by No. 822X Squadron RAN |
Historic
[edit]Aircraft type | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N28 BAE Kalkara | MQM-107E Kalkara | United States / Australia | Remotely-controlled high-performance target drone | 1998–2008 | 21 aircraft |
N11 GAF Jindivik | Jindivik Mk 203A Jindivik Mk 203B |
Australia | Remotely-controlled high-performance target drone | 1966–2000 | 42 aircraft |
GAF Turana | Turana | Australia | target drone | 1971–1979 | 23 aircraft |
N10 Northrop KD2R Shelduck | KD2R-5 Shelduck | United States | target drone | 1963–1973 |
List of guided missiles of the Royal Australian Navy
[edit]Current
[edit]Model | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGM-114 Hellfire | AGM-114B AMG-114K ANG-114N |
United States | Air-to-surface missile | 2014–present | Carried by the HM-60R Seahawk Romeos helicopters |
Mark 46 torpedo | United States | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo | Present | Carried by the S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters | |
Mark 48 torpedo | United States | Heavyweight anti-submarine, anti-ship torpedo | 1980–present | Carried by the Collins-class submarines. | |
Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo | United States | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo | 2013–present | Carried by the HR-60R Seahawk Romeos helicopters | |
MU90 Impact | France / Italy | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo | 2008–present | Carried by the Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers. | |
RGM-84 and UGM-84 Harpoon | UGM-84C | United States | Surface-to-surface ant-ship cruise missile | 1981-Present | Currently carried on board the Adelaide-class frigates, Hobart-class destroyers and the Collins-class submarines |
RIM-66 Standard | United States | Medium-range surface-to-air missile | 1975–present | Currently carried on board the Adelaide-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers. | |
RIM-162 ESSM | United States | Medium-range surface-to-air missile | 2003–present | Currently carried on board the Adelaide-class frigates, Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers |
Historic
[edit]Model | Variants | Origin | Role | Service period | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AIM-9 Sidewinder | AIM-9B | United States | Short-range air-to-air missile | Obsolete, on longer in service with the Royal Australian Navy. Carried by the A-4G Skyhawk aircraft | |
AGM-114 Hellfire | AGM-114B AGM-114K AGM-114N |
United States | Air-to-surface anti-ship missile | 2014–present | Carried by the MH-60R Seahawk Romeos helicopters |
AGM-119 Penguin | AGM-119B Penguin Mk 2 mod 7 | Norway | Air-to-surface anti-ship missile | 2004–2008 | Obsolete, on longer in service with the Royal Australian Navy. Carried by the SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite helicopters |
Ikara | Australia | Surface-to-surface anti-submarine missile | 1963– | Obsolete, on longer in service with the Royal Australian Navy. The Ikara was carried on board the Perth-class destroyers and River-class destroyer escorts | |
Mark 44 torpedo | United States | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo | 1966– | Obsolete, on longer in service with the Royal Australian Navy. Carried by the Sea King Mk 50 and Mk 50A Helicopters. Also carried by the Ikara anti-submarine missile. | |
Mark 46 torpedo | United States | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo | Present | Carried by the S-70B-2 Seahawk, Sea King Mk 50 and Mk 50A helicopters, also by the Perth-class destroyers | |
Mark 48 torpedo | United States | Heavyweight anti-submarine, anti-ship torpedo | 1980–present | Carried by the Oberon-class submarines. | |
Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo | United States | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo | 2013–present | Carried by the RH-60R Seahawk Romeos helicopters | |
MU90 Impact | France / Italy | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo | 2008–present | ||
RGM-84 and UGM-84 Harpoon | United States | Surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile | 1981-Present | The Harpoon was carried on board the Oberon-class submarines | |
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow | RIM-7P | United States | Short-range surface-to-air missile | 1998– | The Sea Sparrows were carried on board the Anzac-class frigates |
RIM-24 Tartar | United States | Medium-range surface-to-air missile | 1966–1987 | Obsolete, on longer in service with the Royal Australian Navy. The Tartars were carried on board the Perth-class destroyers | |
RIM-66 Standard | RIM-66B | United States | Medium-range surface-to-air missile | 1975–present | The RIM-66 Standard was part of the armament of the Perth-class destroyers |
RIM-162 ESSM | United States | Medium-range surface-to-air missile | 2003–present | Carried by the Adelaide-class frigates, Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers. | |
Seacat | United Kingdom | Short-range surface-to-air missile | 1964–1998 | Obsolete, on longer in service with Royal Australian Navy. The Seacats were carried on board the River-class destroyer escorts, and the Daring-class destroyer HMAS Vampire. |
Notes
[edit]- ^ "MH-60R Seahawk". Royal Australian Navy. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Three aircrew safe after helicopter ditched in the Philippine Sea". Department of Defence (Press release). 14 October 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ navaltoday (28 February 2019). "Australian Navy farewells final Bell 429 helicopter". Naval Today. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin to produce 12 more MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy". Lockheed Martin (Press release). 20 September 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin contracted for additional MH-60Rs for Australia". Australian Defence Business Review. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ "RAN retires S-70B-2, AS350BA helicopters | Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2022.