Black Cats (Royal Navy)

The Black Cats are the Royal Navy's Helicopter Display Team. The team is comprised of two Westland Lynx anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters, with the aircraft and crews drawn from No No. 702 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.

The team performs at airshows and other major public events around the UK and Europe. They are renowned for performing a display which mixes close formation, opposition and synchronised manoeuvres. Indeed, their display is often referred to as an "aerial ballet with helicopters".

The Black Cats were formed in 2001. For their first three display seasons, the team was known simply 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 4 red Aérospatiale 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 Noir" performed at the French Navy's 30th Anniversary of operating the Lynx at Lanveoc in Brittany.

External links

* [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2412 Black Cats at Royal Navy web site]