The Sea Vixen FAW-1 was introduced to the Royla Navy Fleet Air Arm in November 1957 and the first operational Squadron 892 was commisioned on 2nd July 1959. The Sea Vixen FAW-2 with increased fuel in the lengthened twin booms was introduced in 1962.

Squadron 899 was the last of the Sea Vixen squadrons and was disbanded in January 1972. Some of their aircraft were thereafter cnverted into the Sea Vixen D3 un-manned target drones.