Active 2001 (2001)–present Garrison/HQ RNAS Yeovilton | Country United Kingdom | |
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Branch Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy Role Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team Size 6 aircrew and several support crew | ||
The Black Cats are the Royal Navy's helicopter display team. The team is composed of two AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2 anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from 825 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
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The team performs at airshows and other public events around the UK and Europe. They perform a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres.
Lynx
The Black Cats were formed in 2001 and performed with the Westland Lynx. For their first three display seasons, the team was known as the 'Lynx Pair' - the "Black Cats" title was applied in 2004. The team's predecessors as the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team were "The Sharks", who used four red Westland Gazelle helicopters and disbanded in 1992.
The team won the Steadman Sword for the best British participant at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2003 and as "Les Chats Noirs" performed at the French Navy's 30th Anniversary of operating the Lynx at Lanveoc in Brittany.
Lynx & Wildcat
Due to the transition within the Royal Navy from the Lynx HMA.8 to the Wildcat HMA.2, one of the Lynxes was changed to a AgustaWestland Wildcat.
The 2014 season was the last year with the Lynx HMA.8.
Wildcat
During the 2015 season the team only used the AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2.
2016