744 Naval Air Squadron

Air Gunner Training Squadron (1943 - 1944)

The squadron formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), situated near Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire, approximately four miles west of Portsmouth, on 10 February 1943 (1943-02-10).^[1] However, as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the squadron moved to RN Air Section Yarmouth, located in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada, almost straight away. It was equipped with Curtiss SO3C Seamew aircraft.^[2] Fifteen months later, in June 1944, the squadron was re-designated as 754 Naval Air Squadron.

Merchant Aircraft Carrier and Anti-Submarine training (1944 - 1947)

The squadron re-formed at RNAS Maydown (HMS Shrike), located 4.3 miles (6.9 km) northeast of Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, as a Merchant Aircraft Carrier training unit, on 6 March 1944, operating Swordfish aircraft. A detachment, working out of RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), close to Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, trained crews for 836 NAS,^[3] including providing Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training.^[4] 744 NAS swapped its Swordfish for Barracuda and briefly, Firefly aircraft. The squadron moved to RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet), located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) northeast of Eglinton, County Londonderry, in October 1945 and continued in the ASW training role using Anson aircraft for this purpose,^[3] until 1 December 1947 when it was renamed 815 Squadron.^[4]

Anti-Submarine Trials and Development Unit (1951 - 1956)

It reformed on 20 July 1951, from 737 Squadron X Flight, as an anti-submarine trials and development unit at RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet)^[4] and continued in this role until 31 October 1956 when it was disbanded.^[5] The squadron was engaged with trials to support the development of search receivers, which were designed to detect submarine radar. A Fairey Barracuda ASV Mk.XI underwent a conversion for trial purposes, this was known as ‘Investigation Pointer’. It was also involved with Orange Harvest, which was subsequently fitted to the RAF's maritime patrol Avro Shackletons. A detachment went to RNAS Hal Far, Malta, in October 1951 following two Fairey Fireflies being fitted with a homing device that could detect sonobuoys, therefore removing the need for smoke markers, for subsequent trials with submarines and ships, from successive initial trials at Farnborough.^[3]

Additionally the squadron took on Search and Rescue duties from December 1952, using Dragonfly HR.3 helicopters, although this role ended on disbandment at Eglinton.^[4] By 1953, 744 NAS also operated as the Station Flight, but again this ended on disbandment, which took place on 1 March 1954.^[3] However, on the same day, the squadron reformed at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), located near Helston, Cornwall, as a Naval fixed wing anti-submarine warfare development unit (ASWDU), remaining there until the October where it relocated to RAF St Mawgan, near St Mawgan and Newquay, in Cornwall.^[4] Here, the squadron was initially equipped with Firefly AS.6 aircraft on reformation and these were later followed by Fairey Gannet, which arrived in May 1955. Two months later, the squadron received Grumman Avengers and the Firefly were withdrawn later in the year.^[3] Two years on from arriving in St Mawgan, the squadron disbanded on 31 October 1956.^[4]

Mission Systems and Armament Test and Evaluation Sqn (2018 - 2024)

On 14 November 2018, the squadron was reformed, at MoD Boscombe Down. It was initially tasked with introducing the Crowsnest Airborne Early Warning Merlin Mk2 aircraft and supporting the RAF's Chinook Mk5 and Mk6 helicopters. It operated as a joint unit under the Air Warfare Centre, evaluating and testing new helicopter and fixed-wing platforms, including their avionics and weapons.^[6][7] The squadron also provided support for the Merlin HC4/4A, Wildcat HMA2, and Wildcat AH1 helicopters, focusing on weapons integration programmes, including the Martlet and Sea Venom missiles

Joint Uncrewed Air System Test and Evaluation Squadron (2024 - )

On 26 September 2024, 744 NAS transitioned into the Joint Uncrewed Air System Test and Evaluation Squadron (JUAS TES). This marked a significant evolution, as the squadron became the Ministry of Defence's lead unit for testing and evaluating uncrewed air systems (UAS). It now focuses on platform performance, payload integration, weapon systems, and advanced network capabilities. This transition positions 744 NAS at the forefront of UAS development, supporting future UK air systems.