DH.110 Sea Vixen

In 1946, de Havilland commenced discussions with the British Admiralty regarding requirements for a future jet-powered, all-weather, radar-equipped fighter. These discussions highlighted the need for a two-person crew to manage radar and navigation, twin engines for over-ocean safety, swept wings for performance, and moderate wing loading for maneuverability and carrier operations. Highly effective wing flaps were also deemed necessary for optimal takeoff and landing performance. De Havilland responded by proposing the DH.110, a twin-engine all-weather fighter that retained the twin-boom-tail design of the Vampire and Venom. It featured an all-metal structure, 45-degree swept wings, and initially, four 30 mm ADEN cannons. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engines, each generating 7,500 lbf (33 kN) of thrust, the DH.110 was designed to achieve supersonic speed in a shallow dive. Specifications N.40/46 and F.44/46 were issued by the British Air Ministry in January 1947 for similar night fighters for the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and Royal Air Force (RAF), with de Havilland submitting its proposal for the DH 110 to both. By early 1949 the DH.110 design was expected to be adaptable to fulfill four requirements: F4/48, F5/49, N.40/46 and N.8/49. In 1949, the Royal Navy opted for the de Havilland Sea Venom, while the RAF reduced its prototype order to two. Despite this, de Havilland continued development, and on 26 September 1951, the initial prototype flew from Hatfield Aerodrome, piloted by John Cunningham. Flight tests demonstrated the aircraft achieving supersonic speeds. The first prototype, however, crashed at the Farnborough Airshow on 6 September 1952, killing 31 people and leading to design modifications.

The de Havilland Sea Vixen was a jet-powered fleet defense fighter, equipped with a modern radar and air-to-air missiles for its primary role. When it entered service, it was the first British aircraft to be solely armed with missiles, rockets and bombs, making it the first fighter aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm with no gun armament. The crew consisted of two persons to manage radar and navigation. It was powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Avon 208 turbojet engines. It had a twin-boom tail configuration, as used on the earlier de Havilland Sea Vampire and Sea Venom fighter aircraft, which reduced the length and height of the aircraft, reducing the stowage area required onboard aircraft carriers; it also minimised asymmetry during single engine flying, reduced the length of the jet pipes and improved maintenance access. It featured an all-metal structure and 45-degree swept wings. The fuselage comprised several sections, the principal being the one-piece central and stub-wing assembly section. The powered folding wing made use of a pair of wing-fold joints which involved a total of six main attachment points. The original DH.110 design offered to the RAF was armed with four cannon, though this was soon replaced with an all-missile armament. The aircraft was equipped with a refuelling probe for aerial refuelling from tanker aircraft and could also be equipped as a tanker for refueling other aircraft.

The Sea Vixen FAW.1 was armed with four de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missiles. The Sea Vixen FAW.2 could also carry the later, more capable Red Top missile. The Red Top homing head was pointed in the direction of the target by slaving it to the AI18 radar, which was operated by the observer. In addition to its principal fleet-defence role, the Sea Vixen was also used in the ground-attack role for which it could be armed. The Sea Vixen FAW.1 was cleared to carry the Red Beard free-fall nuclear bomb. The FAW.2 featured hardpoints for 6 rockets, with provision to carry combinations of 4 Matra rocket pods with 18 SNEB 68 mm rockets each, or 4 Rocket pods with 24 or 32 Microcell 2-inch rockets, or 24 3-inch rockets. It could also carry four 500 pounds (230 kg) or two 1,000 pounds (450 kg) bombs, and Bullpup air-to-ground missiles.

The Sea Vixen saw operational service primarily with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It never participated in any full-scale wars. One notable deployment occurred in 1961 when Iraq threatened to annex Kuwait; the presence of Sea Vixens aboard British fleet carriers in the region deterred further aggression. In 1964, Sea Vixens provided air cover for Royal Marines during an operation in Tanganyika to quell a mutiny and restore stability. The same year, the aircraft supported British forces in the Persian Gulf and helped prevent escalation in the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. Throughout the 1960s, Sea Vixens also undertook duties such as the Beira Patrol, aimed at preventing oil reaching Rhodesia, and supported the withdrawal from Aden in 1967. The aircraft’s service was marked by a high accident rate, with 55 of the 145 Sea Vixens constructed being lost in accidents.

Main Variants:

• DH.110: The initial prototype design, which was a twin-engined all-weather fighter intended for both the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm.

• Sea Vixen FAW.1: The first navalised production variant, equipped with Firestreak air-to-air missiles and tailored for carrier-based operations with features like powered folding wings and strengthened landing gear.

• Sea Vixen FAW.2: An improved variant with extended tail booms for additional fuel, capable of carrying Red Top missiles, SNEB rocket pods, and AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-ground missiles.

• Sea Vixen D.3: A small number of Sea Vixens were converted into drones for target practice and testing purposes.

• Sea Vixen TT.2: Some Sea Vixens were reconfigured as target tugs for training exercises, providing aerial targets for naval gunnery and missile training.

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Air Short-Range De Havilland Firestreak