Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force

The Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force is based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, and is responsible for the Royal Navy’s 31 Lynx Maritime Attack Helicopters (HMA). The force comprises two Squadrons; 815 NAS and 702 NAS.

Flying the nimble, fast and potent Lynx, 815 Naval Air Squadron is the largest helicopter squadron in Europe. Every day of the year, up to 17 Flights from 815 are deployed at sea in one of Her Majesty's Ships or Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, providing aviation support to the Fleet on the front line.

702 Naval Air Squadron trains all ground and air crew for the front-line maritime Lynx squadron, 815 NAS. Based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, 702 squadron feeds 815 Naval Air Squadron with more than a dozen aircrew and in excess of 100 maintainers. The training unit also provides refresher instruction annually for up to 50 fliers who’ve spent some time away from the Lynx community. For Lynx newcomers fresh from basic helicopter training at RAF Shawbury, or from the observer training squadron 750 NAS, there are 12 months of hard graft ahead as they learn how to fly – and fight – the world’s fastest helicopter.

Wildcat is the latest generation of multi role helicopter and will replace the Lynx HMA. A Naval Air Squadron – 700W (W for Wildcat) has already formed at RNAS Yeovilton 52 aircrew and engineers . 700W will pave the way for the new helicopter’s entry into service, not only with 702 and 815, but also with the army and Royal Marines.