Aviation Archive Naval Helicopters

As early as the 1930s, it was realised that rotorcraft could increase the scouting horizon of small ships and even submarines. During World War Two, Germany actually operated some of these machines at sea, paving the way for their widespread adoption in the 1950s. 

The naval helicopter’s roles grew to encompass anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search-and-rescue, commando assault, spacecraft recovery and utility duties, among others. Unmanned rotorcraft have been in use almost as long and are likely to be even more important in future operations.

Today every sizeable warship has a helicopter flight deck, if not a hangar. From Antarctica to Greenland, from Suez to the Black Sea, naval helicopters have played a vital part in exploration and combat and continue to do so.

With vintage and contemporary photographs, cutaway artworks and detailed profile illustrations, Aviation Archive No 82 presents the history of the shipboard helicopter, its missions, tactics and weaponry.