RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus)

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For the ship, see: HMS Daedalus (ship).

Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), was one of the primary shore airfields of the Fleet Air Arm. First established in 1919 after World War I, it served as the main training establishment and administrative centre of the Royal Naval Air Service, later the Fleet Air Arm. Situated approximately four miles west of Portsmouth on the coast of the Solent at grid reference SU560019, the establishment has now been closed down.

In 2003 it was the subject of much controversy over the proposal to re-use it as a refuge for asylum-seekers.

In March 2006 the future of the establishment was secured when the airfield was transferred to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who will continue to use it as a base for their air sea rescue helicopter. Hampshire Constabulary's fixed wing aircraft will also continue to use the airfield.

In April/May 2006, whilst conducting repairs to the runway, building crews discovered an unexploded pipe bomb, of over 60 feet long, placed underneath the runway by the military, designed to cripple the airfield's operational capabilities in the event of a German invasion. The bomb (along with 19 others subsequently discovered) was scheduled to be removed in September 2006.

Work to remove these bombs was completed on 24th October 2006.