Mexican Naval Aviation
Encyclopedia
The Mexican Naval Aviation (Spanish
: Fuerza AeroNaval ) or FAN literally meaning Naval Air Force, is the naval air arm of the Mexican Navy
. The Mexican Navy is divided into two naval fleets: Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
.
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Naval aviation for Mexico dates back its roots all the way to 1918, when a indigenous made float biplane was successfully tested at the Port of Veracruz, the aircraft was flown by Carlos Santa Ana. In the year 1926 a squadron of float planes were designed and made for the Mexican Navy, but without personnel. Carlos Castillo Breton, became the very first Naval pilot in 1927 after training in The U.S. and in Mexico.
Between 1927 to 1943, some aircraft were acquired, with a total of seven naval officers gaining their wings, although some of these joined the Mexican Air Force
. World War II saw the creation of the Naval Aviation school in 1943 at Las Bajadas, Veracruz. These were also ex-FAM aircraft, used to patrol the Gulf of Mexico for Nazi Germany submarines and were later used for training at the Naval Aviation School.
Years after the war, the role of Mexican Naval Aviation were assigned as supporting the ground and sea naval units in Search & Rescue, coastal patrol and assistance to the general population in case of emergencies or disasters.
, Mil Mi-8
and Antonov An-32B
, also purchasing French, U.S. and German made helicopters and even Finnish built L-90 Redigo. In 1999, the Mexican navy started a programme to built kit planes and light helicopters at Las Bajadas, Veracruz
.
As of 2001, Mexican naval aviation reported to have 118 aircraft, of which 68 are fixed wing in 9 squadrons and 50 helicopters in 9 squadrons, either in land bases or assigned on board of ocean patrol boats and frigates.
More recent purchases to the fleet were three ex-IDF/AF E-2C Hawkeyes
, the first arriving in early July 2004. At the end of the same month, the first two EADS upgraded C212-200 Aviocars flew back to Mexico, with the remainder six being upgraded at BAN Las Badajas. The most recent purchase are two AS565 Panthers. These helicopters will perform shipborne duties.
Gulf of Mexico Naval Air Force - HQ in Tuxpan
, Veracruz
Pacific Naval Air Force - HQ in Manzanillo
, Colima
Mexico City Naval Air Base
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Aircraft
Origin
Type
Version
In service
Notes
Images
Fixed wing
Antonov An-32
Utility transport
An-32B
4
de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
Utility transport
1
Bombardier Dash 8
Utility transport
DHC-8-202
1
CASA c-295
Utility transport
4
Turbo Commander
Transport
980 Turbo
4
Learjet
VIP transport
LJ25
LJ31
LJ60
1
1
1
Gulfstream IV
VIP transport
G450
1
CASA C-212
Surveillance
C-212-400
7
All C-212 have been upgraded with FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System).
Lancair
Transport
Training
IV-P
Super ES
Legacy 2000
3
3
2
One Super ES lost in accident
North American Sabreliner
Transport
60
2
Maule M-7
Training
MX-7-180A
14
Valmet L-90
Training
L-90TP
8
Turboprop engine: 313 kW Allison 250-B17F
Zlin Z-242
Training
Z-242L
8
Acquired in 2002. Two lost in accidents
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Aircraft
Origin
Type
Version
In service
Notes
Images
Helicopters
Eurocopter Fennec
Search & rescue
AS555AF
2
Eurocopter Panther
Combat
AS656MB
5
Two lost in accidents.
Armed with gatling gun
s and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
Bölkow Bo 105
Surveillance
EC-Super Five
11
Armed with gatling gun
s and/or rocket launchers when required.
Robinson R-22
Training
1
One lost in an accident.
Robinson R-44
Training
1
MD Helicopters MD 500
Training
MD-500
4
Mil Mi-2
Transport
4
Mil Mi-17
Transport
Mu-17-1V
23
Armed with gatling gun
s and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
MD Helicopters MD Explorer
Combat
MD-902
6
Side-mounted General Dynamics 0.5in multi-barrel GAU-19/A
rotary machine-guns and M2 pods containing seven 2.75in rockets each, for anti-narcotic operations.
Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk
Transport and combat
3
Received on August 25, 2011 under the Merida Initiative
aid package.
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Aircraft
Origin
Type
Version
On Order
Notes
Images
EADS CASA
surveillance
CASA CN-235
6 + 4
6 purchased by Mexico, and 4 from the Merida Initiative
aide package.
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: Fuerza AeroNaval ) or FAN literally meaning Naval Air Force, is the naval air arm of the Mexican Navy
Mexican Navy
The Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
. The Mexican Navy is divided into two naval fleets: Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
.
History
Between 1927 to 1943, some aircraft were acquired, with a total of seven naval officers gaining their wings, although some of these joined the Mexican Air Force
Mexican Air Force
The Mexican Air Force is the aviation branch of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat . Since 2008, its commander is Gen...
. World War II saw the creation of the Naval Aviation school in 1943 at Las Bajadas, Veracruz. These were also ex-FAM aircraft, used to patrol the Gulf of Mexico for Nazi Germany submarines and were later used for training at the Naval Aviation School.
Years after the war, the role of Mexican Naval Aviation were assigned as supporting the ground and sea naval units in Search & Rescue, coastal patrol and assistance to the general population in case of emergencies or disasters.
Times of Modernization
In the nineties, the Mexican navy started to acquire Russian built aircraft and helicopters like the Mil Mi-2Mil Mi-2
The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
, Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
and Antonov An-32B
Antonov An-32
The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.-Design and development:The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered this aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then...
, also purchasing French, U.S. and German made helicopters and even Finnish built L-90 Redigo. In 1999, the Mexican navy started a programme to built kit planes and light helicopters at Las Bajadas, Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
.
As of 2001, Mexican naval aviation reported to have 118 aircraft, of which 68 are fixed wing in 9 squadrons and 50 helicopters in 9 squadrons, either in land bases or assigned on board of ocean patrol boats and frigates.
More recent purchases to the fleet were three ex-IDF/AF E-2C Hawkeyes
E-2 Hawkeye
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
, the first arriving in early July 2004. At the end of the same month, the first two EADS upgraded C212-200 Aviocars flew back to Mexico, with the remainder six being upgraded at BAN Las Badajas. The most recent purchase are two AS565 Panthers. These helicopters will perform shipborne duties.
Structure
The factor of the country's geographical position, requires the deployment of units and aircraft facilities, allowing The Mexican Navy to exercise its naval power.Gulf of Mexico Naval Air Force - HQ in Tuxpan
Tuxpan
Tuxpan is both a municipality and city located in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The population of the city was 78,523 and of the municipality was 134,394 inhabitants, according to the INEGI census of 2005, residing in a total area of 1,051.89 km²...
, Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
- Tampico Naval Air Base, TampicoTampicoTampico is a city and port in the state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, directly north across the border from Veracruz. Tampico is the third largest city in Tamaulipas, and counts with a population of 309,003. The Metropolitan area of...
- 1st Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mil Mi-17Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
, Lancair IV-PLancair IV-External links:*... - 1st Shipborne Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating AS565 MB, Bo 105CBS-5, MD902MD Helicopters MD Explorer|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *...
- 1st Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mil Mi-17
- Las Bajadas Naval Air Base, VeracruzVeracruzVeracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
- 1st Maritime Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating CASA C-212PM
- 1st Early Warning and Reconnaissance Naval Air Squadron - operating E-2C Hawkeye 2000E-2 HawkeyeThe Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
- Naval Aviation School - operating MD 500MD Helicopters MD 500The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...
, Robinson R22Robinson R22The Robinson R22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter. The two-seat R22 was designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson and has been in production since 1979.-Development:...
, Schweizer 300, Zlín Z 42
- Campeche Naval Air Base, CampecheCampecheCampeche is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Located in Southeast Mexico, it is bordered by the states of Yucatán to the north east, Quintana Roo to the east, and Tabasco to the south west...
- 5th Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
- 1st Interception and Reconnaissance Naval Air Squadron - operating L-90TPAermacchi M-290 RediGO|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*Taylor, Michael, J.H. . Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory: 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's. 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7....
, Sabre 60
- 5th Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8
- Chetumal Naval Air Base, ChetumalChetumalChetumal is a city on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It is the capital of the state of Quintana Roo and the municipal seat of the Municipality of Othón P. Blanco...
- 1st Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Lancair Super ESLancair ES-External links:*...
, MX-7-180A, RC695 - 3rd Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
- 1st Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Lancair Super ES
Pacific Naval Air Force - HQ in Manzanillo
Manzanillo, Colima
The name Manzanillo refers to the city as well as its surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Colima. The city, located on the Pacific Ocean, contains Mexico's busiest port. Manzanillo was the third port created by the Spanish in the Pacific during the New Spain period...
, Colima
Colima
Colima is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima....
- Guaymas Naval Air Base, GuaymasGuaymasGuaymas is a city and municipality located in the southwest part of the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. The city is located 117 km south of the state capital of Hermosillo, and 242 miles from the U.S. border, and is the principal port for the state. The municipality is located in the...
- La Paz Naval Air Base, La PazLa PazNuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra...
- 2nd Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating RC695, Lancair IV-PLancair IV-External links:*...
- 2nd Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
- 2nd Shipborne Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Bo 105CBS-5
- 2nd Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating An-32BAntonov An-32The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.-Design and development:The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered this aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then...
- 2nd Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating RC695, Lancair IV-P
- Lazaro Cardenas Naval Air Base, Lazaro CardenasLázaro CárdenasLázaro Cárdenas del Río was President of Mexico from 1934 to 1940.-Early life:Lázaro Cárdenas was born on May 21, 1895 in a lower-middle class family in the village of Jiquilpan, Michoacán. He supported his family from age 16 after the death of his father...
- 2nd Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AFEurocopter Fennec|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
, Mi-2Mil Mi-2The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
- 2nd Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AF
- Acapulco Naval Air Base, AcapulcoAcapulcoAcapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
- 2nd Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AFEurocopter Fennec|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
, Mi-2Mil Mi-2The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
- 2nd Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AF
- Salina Cruz Naval Air Base, Salina CruzSalina CruzSalina Cruz is a major seaport on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is the state's third-largest city and is municipal seat of the municipality of the same name.It is part of the Tehuantepec District in the west of the Istmo Region....
- 1st Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AFEurocopter Fennec|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
, Mi-2Mil Mi-2The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
- 1st Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AF
- Tapachula Naval Air Base, TapachulaTapachulaTapachula is a town and with a hot, humid climate in the Mexican state of Chiapas. It is located in southern part of the state on the Soconusco coastal plain, near the border with Guatemala, at 14.91° N 92.27° W...
- 4th Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
- 4th Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating MX-7-180A, Super Lancair ESLancair ES-External links:*...
- 4th Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8
Mexico City Naval Air Base
- 1st Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Gulfstream G450, Learjet 25Learjet 25|-See also:-References:* Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.-External links:**...
, Learjet 31, Learjet 60Learjet 60The Learjet 60 is a mid-size cabin, medium range business jet aircraft manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Wichita, Kansas, USA. The Learjet 60 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada model 305A turbo fan engines producing 4,600 total pounds of thrust. The manufacturer notes the range of the...
, DHC-8-Q202
Current aircraft
The aircraft quantities are approximate, and estimated to be 68 airplanes and 54 helicopters. {Antonov An-32
The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.-Design and development:The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered this aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then...
Antonov An-32
The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.-Design and development:The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered this aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then...
De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
The de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing utility transport, a turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou...
Learjet 25
|-See also:-References:* Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.-External links:**...
LJ31
LJ60
Learjet 60
The Learjet 60 is a mid-size cabin, medium range business jet aircraft manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Wichita, Kansas, USA. The Learjet 60 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada model 305A turbo fan engines producing 4,600 total pounds of thrust. The manufacturer notes the range of the...
1
1
Gulfstream IV
The Gulfstream IV and derivatives are a family of twin-jet aircraft, mainly for private or business use. The aircraft was designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics company based in Savannah, Georgia, United States from 1985 until 2003.-Design and development:Gulfstream, in...
Lancair
Lancair International, Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer of general aviation aircraft kits. They are well known for their series of high-performance single-engine aircraft that offer cruise speeds that surpass many twin-engine turboprop designs...
Training
Super ES
Legacy 2000
3
2
Aermacchi M-290 RediGO
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*Taylor, Michael, J.H. . Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory: 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's. 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7....
{
Eurocopter Fennec
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
Armed with gatling gun
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
s and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
Bölkow Bo 105
The MBB Bo 105 is a light, twin-engine, multi-purpose utility helicopter developed by Bölkow of Stuttgart, Germany. Production began under Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , which became a part of Eurocopter in 1991...
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
s and/or rocket launchers when required.
MD Helicopters MD 500
The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...
Mil Mi-2
The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
Mil Mi-17
The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
s and/or rocket launchers when required for anti-narcotic operations.
MD Helicopters MD Explorer
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5.-External links:* *...
GAU-19
The GECAL 50, officially designated by the United States military as the GAU-19/A, is an electrically driven Gatling gun that fires the .50 BMG cartridge...
rotary machine-guns and M2 pods containing seven 2.75in rockets each, for anti-narcotic operations.
Mérida Initiative
The Mérida Initiative is a security cooperation agreement between the United States and the government of Mexico and the countries of Central America, with the declared aim of combating the threats of drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and money laundering...
aid package.
Future acquisitions
{CASA CN-235
The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and IPTN of Indonesia as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport...
Mérida Initiative
The Mérida Initiative is a security cooperation agreement between the United States and the government of Mexico and the countries of Central America, with the declared aim of combating the threats of drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and money laundering...
aide package.