French Naval Aviation#Units

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = French Naval Aviation

| native_name = {{lang|fr|Force maritime de l'aéronautique navale}}

| image = Roundel of the French Fleet Air Arm.svg

| image_size = 200

| caption = French Fleet Air Arm Roundel

| start_date = 20 March 1912

| country = {{flag|France}}

| branch = {{navy|France}}

| type = Naval aviation

| role =

| size = 6,800 personnel
178 aircraft{{cite journal|title=World Air Forces 2019|journal=Flightglobal|page=16|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/26019/waf/|access-date=7 August 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/portail-defense |title=Defence Key Figures: 2016 Edition |language=en |publisher=Defense.gouv.fr |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127082152/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/portail-defense |archive-date=27 November 2016 |url-status=live }} (download PDF file or see [https://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/400382/6028076/file/Chiffrescle%CC%81s2015GB.PDF HTML version] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906213134/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/400382/6028076/file/Chiffrescle%CC%81s2015GB.PDF |date=6 September 2015 }})

| command_structure =

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| nickname = Sky Navy
{{lang|fr|'La Marine du Ciel}}

| patron =

| motto = {{lang|fr|Honneur, patrie, valeur, discipline}}

| colors =

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| current_commander = Contre-amiral Eric Janicot

| current_commander_label =

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| aircraft_Airborne Early Warning =

| aircraft_fighter =

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}}

French Naval Aviation (often abbreviated in French to: {{lang|fr|Aéronavale}} (contraction of {{lang|fr|Aéronautique navale}}), or {{lang|fr|Aviation navale}}, or more simply {{lang|fr|l'Aéro}}) is the naval air arm of the French Navy. The long-form official designation is {{lang|fr|Force maritime de l'aéronautique navale}}. Born as a fusion of aircraft carrier squadrons and the naval patrol air force, the Aéronavale was created in 1912. The force is under the command of a flag officer officially titled Admiral of Naval Aviation (ALAVIA) with his headquarters at Toulon naval base. It has a strength of around 6,800 military and civilian personnel. It operates from four airbases in Metropolitan France and several detachments in foreign countries or French overseas territories. Carrier-borne pilots of the French Navy do their initial training at Salon-de-Provence Air Base after which they undergo their carrier qualification with the US Navy.

Aircraft inventory

{{main|List of active military aircraft of the French Armed Forces}}

|-

| Bréguet Atlantique II || France || Turboprop || ASW || || 22 || || To be replaced by Airbus A321 MPA.https://www.airdatanews.com/frances-new-maritime-patrol-aircraft-to-be-supplied-by-airbus/

|-

| Dassault Falcon 10 M || France || Jet || Utility || || 6 || ||

|-

| Dassault Falcon 50 M || France || Jet || Patrol || || 8 || ||

|-

| Dassault Falcon 200 Guardian || France || Jet || Patrol || || 5 || ||

|-

| Dassault Rafale M || France || Jet || Multirole || || 42{{Cite web |url=https://www.dassault-aviation.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2018/07/Dassault-Aviation-Press-Conference-July-19-2018.pdf |title=Press Conference |publisher=Dassault Aviation |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720135707/https://www.dassault-aviation.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2018/07/Dassault-Aviation-Press-Conference-July-19-2018.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live}} || || {{Cite web |url=https://www.dassault-aviation.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2017/07/Dassault-Aviation-Press-Conf-July-26-2017.pdf |title=Press Conference |publisher=Dassault Aviation |date=26 July 2017 |access-date=8 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808153957/https://www.dassault-aviation.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2017/07/Dassault-Aviation-Press-Conf-July-26-2017.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2017 |url-status=live}}

|-

| Embraer EMB 121 Xingu || Brazil || Turboprop|| Utility || || 11 || ||

|-

| Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin || France || Rotorcraft || SAR || || 15 || ||

|-

| Eurocopter AS565 Panther || France || Rotorcraft || Utility || || 16 || ||

|-

| Grumman E-2C Hawkeye || USA || Turboprop || AEW&C || || 3 || ||

|-

| Mudry CAP 10 || France || Propeller || Trainer || || 7 || ||

|-

| NHIndustries NH90 Caïman Marine || France || Rotorcraft || ASW/SAR || || 27 || ||

|-

| Airbus Helicopters H160 || France || Rotorcraft || ASW/SAR || || 6 || ||

|}

Structure

File:French fleet air arm 2013.svg

Immediately after the end of World War II, the Aeronavale only had Supermarine Seafire Mk.III (Flottille 1F) and Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers (Flotilles 3F et 4F).

=Components=

The flight personnel of the French Navy falls into three categories: fighter aviation, fixed-wing aviation and helicopter aviation.

Operationally the French Naval Aviation has four components:

Embarked Air Group (Le Groupe aérien embarqué) of the aircraft carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}}: Rafale M, E-2C Hawkeye
Naval Patrol and Maritime Surveillance Aviation (l'Aviation de patrouille et de surveillance maritime): Atlantique 2, Falcon 50, Falcon 200
Shipborne and Shore-based Helicopters (Les hélicoptères embarqués et basés à terre): Dauphin, Panther, Caïman Marine
Support Aviation (l'Aviation de soutien): Falcon 10, EMB-121 Xingu, SR20, Cap-10, Dauphin, EC120 Colibri

=Units=

Operational squadrons are known as Flottilles and normally consist of 12 aircraft :

1F to 10F are carrier based anti-submarine squadrons
11F to 20F are fighter and attack squadrons
21F to 30F are maritime patrol squadrons
31F to 39F are helicopter squadrons

Shore-based training and transport squadrons are known as Escadrilles de Servitude :

1S to 19S are communications squadrons
20S to 29S are helicopters squadrons
50S to 59S are training squadrons

class="wikitable" border="1"
Squadron ! Insignia ! Type ! Aircraft ! Base ! Role ! Notes
colspan="7" \|Embarked Air Group (*Le Groupe aérien embarqué*){{Cite web \|url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/dossiers/ban/le-groupe-aerien-embarque \|title=Le groupe aérien embarqué \|language=French \|publisher=Marine Nationale \|access-date=25 February 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226032141/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/dossiers/ban/le-groupe-aerien-embarque \|archive-date=26 February 2018 \|url-status=live }}
4F \| 40px \| Fixed wing \| E-2C Hawkeye \| Lann Bihoué \| Carrier airborne early warning \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-4f&usg=ALkJrhj2IETyrDQdg3gDEMbPzpl6-Ei5qw\|title=Flotilla 4F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
11F \| 40px \| Fixed wing \|Rafale M \| Landivisiau \| Strike fighter \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-11f&usg=ALkJrhh54w47zeDVKV80ViNvAuT57A3xpw\|title=Flottilla 11F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
12F \| 40px \| Fixed wing \|Rafale M \| Landivisiau \| Strike fighter \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-12f&usg=ALkJrhgzYJjDmps6eabc5ZA5z-ko5J4n6A\|title=Flottilla 12F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
17F \| 40px \| Fixed wing \|Rafale M \| Landivisiau \| Strike fighter \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-17f&usg=ALkJrhhLgi19XIStC8_OrfLRt7pYTgNS0A\|title=Flottilla 17F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}} Ended conversion to Rafale M in June 2016.
\| \|Rotary \|Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin \|Hyères \|Plane guard \|Not part of the GAE. {{ship\|French aircraft carrier\|Charles de Gaulle	2}} set sail on cruises with two Dauphin helicopters from 35F.
colspan="7" \|Naval Patrol and Maritime Surveillance Aviation (*l'Aviation de patrouille et de surveillance maritime*){{Cite web \|url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/marine/dossiers/ban/l-aviation-de-patrouille-et-de-surveillance-maritime \|title=L'aviation de patrouille et de surveillance maritime \|publisher=Marine Nationale \|language=French \|access-date=25 February 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226153446/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/marine/dossiers/ban/l-aviation-de-patrouille-et-de-surveillance-maritime \|archive-date=26 February 2018 \|url-status=live }}
21F \| 40px \| Fixed wing \| Atlantique 2 \| Lann Bihoué \| Anti-submarine warfare / Naval patrol \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-21f&usg=ALkJrhhDBjArvhfJo02F_gK_wYzTqlhsBg\|title=Flottilla 21F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}} Detachments at Dakar and Djibouti.
23F \| \| Fixed wing \| Atlantique 2 \| Lann Bihoué \| Anti-submarine warfare / Naval patrol \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-23f&usg=ALkJrhjU7JSprzadD06i0p1C1b7KDPfkCQ\|title=Flottilla 23F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
24F \| \| Fixed wing \| Falcon 50 M \| Lann Bihoué \| Maritime surveillance / Search and rescue \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-24f&usg=ALkJrhjuNr1kFIsfOhgjzW9e4BfVow3aPQ\|title=Flottilla 24F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
25F \| \| Fixed wing \| Falcon 200 Guardian \| GAM Faa'a \| Maritime surveillance / Search and rescue \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-25f&usg=ALkJrhjNbR8fr_qjVUgKTwcJZC34LQ86tA\|title=Flottilla 25F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}} Detachment at Nouméa.
colspan="7" \|Shipborne and Shore-based Helicopters (*Les hélicoptères embarqués et basés à terre*)
31F \| \| Rotary \| NH90 Caïman \| Hyères \| Search and rescue \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-31f&usg=ALkJrhioxoJGp6JoShB-AgKx4Y_Qoui9KQ\|title=Flottilla 31F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
32F \| \| Rotary \| Airbus Helicopters H160M Guépard \| Lanvéoc \| \| Previously used SA321G Super Frelon.{{cite book\|title=AirForces Monthly\|date=October 2022\|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd\|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England\|pages=68}}
33F \| 40px \| Rotary \| NH90 Caïman \| Lanvéoc \| Anti-submarine warfare / Search and rescue \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-33f&usg=ALkJrhj5EAi-DJJEYnosj0YsD7M-c2Dpxg\|title=Flottilla 33F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
34F \| \| Rotary \| Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin/NH90 Caïman \| Lanvéoc \| Anti-submarine warfare \| Disbanded 4 September 2020. Planned to re-activate in 2021{{cite magazine \|last=Allport \|first=Dave \|title=French Navy retires Lynx \|magazine=Air International \|date=October 2020 \|volume=99 \|issue=4 \|page=11 \|issn=0306-5634}} operating leased SA365M3 Dauphins from Heli-Union and NHV as temporary equipment. To convert to NH90 Caïman.{{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-34f&usg=ALkJrhiVhghQ8VFyTMz3skiVh3xKTPbsTA\|title=Flottilla 34F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
35F \| \| Rotary \| Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin SPI \| Hyères \| Search and rescue \| Detachments at La Rochelle, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage{{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-35f&usg=ALkJrhgOqIfPRBVjePMFU4Ibb0NrUTy2AQ\|title=Flottilla 35F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}} and Faa'a. Uses additional leased AS365N3 from Heli-Union.
36F \| \| Rotary \| Eurocopter AS565 Panther \| Hyères \| Small ship flights \| {{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-36f&usg=ALkJrhjo1sCCgG2YRVroKYjHuzPgjNnAiw\|title=Flottilla 36F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
colspan="7" \|Support Aviation (*l'Aviation de soutien*)
10S \| \| Rotary/ Fixed wing/UAV \| Schiebel S-100 Serval \| Hyères \| Experimental \| Aviation and airborne weapons research and development, evaluation at several locations.
22S \| \| Rotary \| Dauphin, EC120 Colibri \| Lanvéoc \| Rotary operational training / Liaison \|
28F \| 40px \|Fixed wing \|Embraer Xingu \|Lann Bihoué \|Naval patrol and maritime surveillance operational training / Utility / Liaison \|{{cite web\|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-28f&usg=ALkJrhh2dA2muJUYhLT1avDluF6fA7axJQ\|title=Flottilla 28F\|publisher=French Navy\|access-date=25 October 2016}}
50S \| \| Fixed wing \| SR20 and CAP-10 \| Lanvéoc \| Elementary flying training \|{{cite book\|title=AirForces Monthly\|date=October 2022\|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd\|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England\|pages=66}}
57S \| \| Fixed wing \| Falcon 10 M \| Landivisiau \| Combat aviation operational training \|{{Cite web \|url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/operations/forces/aeronautique-navale/escadrilles/escadrille-57s \|title=Escadrille 57S \|publisher=Ministère des Armées \|language=French \|access-date=25 February 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226032310/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/operations/forces/aeronautique-navale/escadrilles/escadrille-57s \|archive-date=26 February 2018 \|url-status=live }}

class="wikitable" border="1"

Squadron

! Insignia

! Type

! Aircraft

! Base

! Role

! Notes

colspan="7" |Embarked Air Group (Le Groupe aérien embarqué){{Cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/dossiers/ban/le-groupe-aerien-embarque |title=Le groupe aérien embarqué |language=French |publisher=Marine Nationale |access-date=25 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226032141/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/dossiers/ban/le-groupe-aerien-embarque |archive-date=26 February 2018 |url-status=live }}

|

| Fixed wing

| Carrier airborne early warning

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-4f&usg=ALkJrhj2IETyrDQdg3gDEMbPzpl6-Ei5qw|title=Flotilla 4F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

|

| Fixed wing

| Strike fighter

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-11f&usg=ALkJrhh54w47zeDVKV80ViNvAuT57A3xpw|title=Flottilla 11F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

|

| Fixed wing

| Strike fighter

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-12f&usg=ALkJrhgzYJjDmps6eabc5ZA5z-ko5J4n6A|title=Flottilla 12F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

|

| Fixed wing

| Strike fighter

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-17f&usg=ALkJrhhLgi19XIStC8_OrfLRt7pYTgNS0A|title=Flottilla 17F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}} Ended conversion to Rafale M in June 2016.

|

|Rotary

|Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin

|Hyères

|Plane guard

|Not part of the GAE. {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle

2}} set sail on cruises with two Dauphin helicopters from 35F.

colspan="7" |Naval Patrol and Maritime Surveillance Aviation (l'Aviation de patrouille et de surveillance maritime){{Cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/marine/dossiers/ban/l-aviation-de-patrouille-et-de-surveillance-maritime |title=L'aviation de patrouille et de surveillance maritime |publisher=Marine Nationale |language=French |access-date=25 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226153446/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/english/marine/dossiers/ban/l-aviation-de-patrouille-et-de-surveillance-maritime |archive-date=26 February 2018 |url-status=live }}

|

| Fixed wing

| Anti-submarine warfare / Naval patrol

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-21f&usg=ALkJrhhDBjArvhfJo02F_gK_wYzTqlhsBg|title=Flottilla 21F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}} Detachments at Dakar and Djibouti.

23F

|

| Fixed wing

| Atlantique 2

| Lann Bihoué

| Anti-submarine warfare / Naval patrol

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-23f&usg=ALkJrhjU7JSprzadD06i0p1C1b7KDPfkCQ|title=Flottilla 23F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

24F

|

| Fixed wing

| Falcon 50 M

| Lann Bihoué

| Maritime surveillance / Search and rescue

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-24f&usg=ALkJrhjuNr1kFIsfOhgjzW9e4BfVow3aPQ|title=Flottilla 24F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

25F

|

| Fixed wing

| Falcon 200 Guardian

| GAM Faa'a

| Maritime surveillance / Search and rescue

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-25f&usg=ALkJrhjNbR8fr_qjVUgKTwcJZC34LQ86tA|title=Flottilla 25F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}} Detachment at Nouméa.

colspan="7" |Shipborne and Shore-based Helicopters (Les hélicoptères embarqués et basés à terre)

31F

|

| Rotary

| NH90 Caïman

| Hyères

| Search and rescue

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-31f&usg=ALkJrhioxoJGp6JoShB-AgKx4Y_Qoui9KQ|title=Flottilla 31F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

32F

|

| Rotary

| Airbus Helicopters H160M Guépard

| Lanvéoc

|

| Previously used SA321G Super Frelon.{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|date=October 2022|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=68}}

|

| Rotary

| Anti-submarine warfare / Search and rescue

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-33f&usg=ALkJrhj5EAi-DJJEYnosj0YsD7M-c2Dpxg|title=Flottilla 33F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

34F

|

| Rotary

| Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin/NH90 Caïman

| Lanvéoc

| Anti-submarine warfare

| Disbanded 4 September 2020. Planned to re-activate in 2021{{cite magazine |last=Allport |first=Dave |title=French Navy retires Lynx |magazine=Air International |date=October 2020 |volume=99 |issue=4 |page=11 |issn=0306-5634}} operating leased SA365M3 Dauphins from Heli-Union and NHV as temporary equipment. To convert to NH90 Caïman.{{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-34f&usg=ALkJrhiVhghQ8VFyTMz3skiVh3xKTPbsTA|title=Flottilla 34F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

35F

|

| Rotary

| Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin SPI

| Hyères

| Search and rescue

| Detachments at La Rochelle, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage{{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-35f&usg=ALkJrhgOqIfPRBVjePMFU4Ibb0NrUTy2AQ|title=Flottilla 35F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}} and Faa'a. Uses additional leased AS365N3 from Heli-Union.

36F

|

| Rotary

| Eurocopter AS565 Panther

| Hyères

| Small ship flights

| {{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-36f&usg=ALkJrhjo1sCCgG2YRVroKYjHuzPgjNnAiw|title=Flottilla 36F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

colspan="7" |Support Aviation (l'Aviation de soutien)

10S

|

| Rotary/ Fixed wing/UAV

| Schiebel S-100 Serval

| Hyères

| Experimental

| Aviation and airborne weapons research and development, evaluation at several locations.

22S

|

| Rotary

| Dauphin, EC120 Colibri

| Lanvéoc

| Rotary operational training / Liaison

|

|

|Fixed wing

|Naval patrol and maritime surveillance operational training / Utility / Liaison

|{{cite web|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/organisation/forces/aeronautique-navale/flottilles/flottille-28f&usg=ALkJrhh2dA2muJUYhLT1avDluF6fA7axJQ|title=Flottilla 28F|publisher=French Navy|access-date=25 October 2016}}

50S

|

| Fixed wing

| SR20 and CAP-10

| Lanvéoc

| Elementary flying training

|{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|date=October 2022|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=66}}

57S

|

| Fixed wing

| Falcon 10 M

| Landivisiau

| Combat aviation operational training

|{{Cite web |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/operations/forces/aeronautique-navale/escadrilles/escadrille-57s |title=Escadrille 57S |publisher=Ministère des Armées |language=French |access-date=25 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226032310/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/operations/forces/aeronautique-navale/escadrilles/escadrille-57s |archive-date=26 February 2018 |url-status=live }}

{{Gallery

|align=center

|title=Insignia

|Pilote-aéronavale-qualif.jpg|Insignia of pilots of Naval aviation

|Sigle Aéronavale.jpg|Arm insignia of personnel of Naval aviation

}}

{{Gallery

|align=center

|title=Views of various aircraft previously or currently in service

|Image:Meeting de la Ferté-Alais 2010 - 190.JPG| Two Super Étendard, two Rafale fighters and an E-2C Hawkeye at the 2010s French Naval Aviation Centenary Airshow

|Image:Charles De Gaulle PascalSubtil 12.jpg|Rafale fighter on the flight deck of {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}} at dawn

|Image:Charles De Gaulle PascalSubtil 11.jpg|Rafale fighters on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle

|Image:Breguet Atlantic - RIAT 2012 (7685263986).jpg|Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft

|Image:Lynx mk46.jpg|Lynx WG13 helicopter armed with a Mk46 torpedo on the deck of a frigate

|Image:Marine française - demo.jpg| Offshore rescue by French Navy Dauphin helicopter

|Image:Guepratte1736.jpg|Panther helicopter lifts off the deck of {{ship|French frigate|Guépratte|F 714|2}}

|Image:French Navy ship Auvergne and NH90 helicopter.jpg|NH90 helicopter of the French Naval Aviation landing on the FREMM multipurpose frigate {{ship|French frigate|Auvergne||2}}.

|Image:Falcon 10 MER.JPG|Dassault Falcon 10MER of Escadrille 57S at BAN Nîmes-Garons.

}}

Retired aircraft

This is a list of retired aircraft that have flown with French Naval Aviation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.history.state.gov|title=Office of the Historian|website=history.state.gov|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821141517/https://history.state.gov/|archive-date=21 August 2017|url-status=live}}

File:French TBM-3E of Flotille 4F in flight 1950s.jpg

File:F4U-7 NAN3-53.jpg

File:P5M-2 Aeronavale VP-44 training NAN7-59.jpg

[[File:Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune Aéronavale 148335 - Flotille 25F (9642397665).jpg|thumb|

During the Algerian War of independence, the French Navy flew Lockheed Neptunes on surveillance patrol to fight weapons smuggling by sea]]

File:French F-8E(FN) Crusader in flight over the Med 1976.jpeg

File:CanardVoisin.jpg

=Helicopters and autogyros=

File:Lynx helo 4.jpg

Aérospatiale Alouette II
Aérospatiale Super Frelon
Bell 47
LeO C-30
Lynx Mk.4(FN){{cite web |title=French Navy retires Lynx from service |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/french-navy-retires-lynx-from-service |last=Grolleau |first=Henri-Pierre |website=janes.com |date=8 September 2020 }}
Piasecki H-21C
Piasecki HUP-2
Sikorsky H-51
Sikorsky S-55
Sikorsky S-58
Sud-Aviation HSS-1

References & notes

External links

[http://www.ffaa.net French Fleet Air Arm], about French naval aviation.
[http://www.aeronavale.org (fr) Association pour la Recherche de Documentation sur l'Histoire de l'Aéronautique Navale (ARDHAN)], Association for Documentation Research on the History of French Naval Aviation.

French Naval Aviation#Units

Aircraft inventory

Structure

=Components=

=Units=

Retired aircraft

=Helicopters and autogyros=

See also

References & notes

External links