The Wildcat HMA Mk2 shipborne helicopter is the Royal Navy’s surface attack and recon specialist, along with the AW101 Merlin heavy-lift workhorse they provide crucial logistics through to offensive capabilities.
Wildcat HMA Mk2 Programme overview
- Multirole shipborne helicopter for the Royal Navy, replacing the Lynx HMA Mk8
- Designation: AW159 Wildcat, developed by AgustaWestland (now Leonardo Helicopters)
- Operated by: 815 Naval Air Squadron (ship flights), 825 Naval Air Squadron (training)
- Based at: RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset
- Total Royal Navy fleet: approximately 28 aircraft
- In service since: 2015
Royal Navy 815 Naval Air Squadron Wildcat HMA Mk2 (HMA2) helicopters, armed with Martlet lightweight multirole missiles, flying in a two-ship formation over British Forces Cyprus UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
Specifications
- Length: 15 metres
- Maximum speed: 160 knots (approximately 296 km/h)
- Range: approximately 250 nautical miles (463 km)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 feet
- Engines: two LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshaft engines
- Crew: pilot and observer (plus accommodation for up to 6 troops)
- Lifting capacity: 1 tonne
Weapons and systems
- Martlet Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM): Thales-developed missile capable of engaging fast inshore attack craft, small surface vessels, and drones; up to 20 can be loaded per aircraft
- Sea Venom: MBDA/MBDA France anti-ship missile, providing a heavier anti-surface warfare capability against larger vessels
- Sting Ray torpedo: for anti-submarine warfare operations
- M3M 12.7mm heavy machine gun: for force protection and maritime security operations
- Leonardo Seaspray 7000E AESA radar: active electronically scanned array radar for maritime search
- FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) camera: for surveillance and targeting
- Dipping sonar and sonobuoys: for ASW operations
Roles
The Wildcat is designed to operate from Royal Navy frigates and destroyers, typically one aircraft per ship. Its primary roles include anti-surface warfare (tracking and engaging small fast craft and larger vessels), anti-submarine warfare, maritime security and counter-narcotics, force protection, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It has also been adapted for the counter-drone role, deploying Martlet missiles against aerial targets – a capability demonstrated operationally when Wildcat helicopters from HMS Diamond engaged Houthi drones in the Red Sea.
2026 operational update
The Wildcat HMA Mk2 has seen significant operational activity. In 2026, UK Wildcats equipped with Martlet missiles were deployed to Cyprus to support counter-drone operations against Iranian-linked UAVs. The aircraft’s ability to carry up to 20 Martlet missiles makes it an effective airborne counter-drone platform, supplementing the Type 45’s Sea Viper and Phalanx systems in contested maritime environments.
Comparison to Merlin
The Wildcat and Merlin operate complementary roles in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. The Merlin HM2 is a heavier, longer-range ASW-focused helicopter primarily associated with the carrier air group and submarine hunting. The Wildcat is smaller, faster, and more agile – optimised for ship-based operations from frigates and destroyers rather than carriers. The two types together give the Royal Navy flexibility across the full range of maritime aviation tasks.
Future
The Wildcat HMA Mk2 is expected to remain in Royal Navy service well into the 2030s. With the AW149 New Medium Helicopter contract now confirmed for the RAF and Army Air Corps, the Royal Navy’s specific maritime requirements mean the Wildcat remains the appropriate ship-based light helicopter for the foreseeable future, particularly given its growing role in counter-drone operations.
