_RN_Centennary_of_Naval_Aviation_marks_(6283000362).jpg)
TheFleet Requirements and Air Direction Unit (FRADU) was a unit of theRoyal Navy'sFleet Air Arm operated by the contractorSerco Defence and Aerospace. It was established in 1972.[1] It was most recently equipped with 13BAE Systems Hawk T1 advanced jet trainer aircraft on lease to theRoyal Navy from theRoyal Air Force, based atRNAS Culdrose inCornwall. Two of these aircraft were permanently detached to Naval Flying Standards Flight (fixed wing) atRNAS Yeovilton where they are flown by RN pilots, but maintained by Serco engineers.
FRADU provided training for the Royal Navy by conducting simulated attacks on Royal Navy ships duringFlag Officer Sea Training (FOST),Airborne Early Warning (AEW) exercises, training air controllers and Helicopter Fighter Affiliation training.
In June 2013, FRADU was redesignated736 Naval Air Squadron.[2]
TheFleet Requirements and Air Direction Training Unit (FRADTU) was formed in 1972 by the merger of theFleet Requirements Unit (FRU) and theAir Direction Training Unit ADTU which were operated byAirwork Services for the RN.
In 1983, the contract for FRADU was offered to competitive tender; the contract was won byFlight Refuelling Ltd,Hurn.
The FRADU moved from RNAS Yeovilton, its home since 1972, to RNAS Culdrose in December 1995.
