Navalised aircraft

Characteristics

• The airframe, engine and avionics are marinised against salt water corrosion.
• It is designed to be used on a flight deck. For a fixed wing aircraft this typically means catapult attachment points, a tailhook and strengthened undercarriage. Naval helicopters usually have wheels rather than skids and may have mechanisms to attach to the deck.
• It is designed to occupy minimum hangar space – for example the wings, tail-boom or rotors may fold.
• There is enhanced protection against water ingress.
• Equipment such as sensors and weapons are optimised for naval roles.
• The avionics is compatible with the complex electronic equipment of a warship, and that there is no electromagnetic interference between the two.
• There is provision for ditching at sea.
• Helicopters may have provision for receiving fuel through the cabin while hovering adjacent to a ship.

Examples

• British Aerospace Sea Harrier
• Dassault Rafale M
• Hawker Sea Hurricane
• Mikoyan MiG-29K
• Supermarine Seafire
• Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk