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List of aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy

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This is a list of aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy, including past and present aircraft operated by the Navy of Australia].

A Royal Australian Navy MRH-90 in 2015
RAN SH-60, 2020
A Royal Australian Navy Bell 429

Present

[edit]
Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
MH-60 Seahawk  United States ASW MH-60R 23 Operated by 816 Squadron.[1] One was ditched in the Philippine Sea in October 2021.[2]
Eurocopter EC135  Germany Training helicopter EC135 T2+ 15 Training aircraft shared with Army

Historic

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Aircraft type Variants Origin Role Service period Notes
N52 Eurocopter EC135 EC 135 T2+ Europe Training helicopter 2016–present 15 helicopters

F

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "MH-60R Seahawk". Royal Australian Navy. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ navaltoday (28 February 2019). "Australian Navy farewells final Bell 429 helicopter". Naval Today. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Lockheed Martin contracted for additional MH-60Rs for Australia". Australian Defence Business Review. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  6. ^ "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.

See also

[edit]
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