Discover

The 'Westland Lynx' is a helicopter designed by Westland and built at Westland's factory in Yeovil, first flying on 21 March 1971 as the 'Westland WG.13'. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants, which went into operational usage in 1977 and were later adopted by the armed forces of over a dozen nations. The helicopter is now produced and marketed by AgustaWestland.

Contents

Development

Future Lynx

Operational history

Design

Variants

Land-based variants

Naval variants

Export variants

Projects

Derivatives

Operators

Military operators

Law Enforcement Operators

Specifications (Super Lynx Series 100)

References

External links

Related content

Development

As part of the Anglo-French helicopter agreement signed in February 1967 the French company Aérospatiale were given a workshare in the manufacturing programme.
When piloted by Roy Moxam in 1972, it broke the world record over 15 and 25 km by flying at 321.74 km/h. It also set a new 100 km closed circuit record shortly afterwards, flying at 318.504 km/h. In 1986, a specially modified Westland Lynx piloted by John Egginton set an absolute speed record for helicopters over a 15 and 25 km course by reaching 400.87 km/h (249.09 mph). The Lynx is one of the most agile helicopters in the world, capable of performing loops and rolls.
The British Army ordered 100 Lynx AH ('A'rmy 'H'elicopter) Mk.1 for various roles, including tactical transport, armed escort, anti-tank warfare (with eight TOW missiles), reconnaissance and evacuation. The Army has fitted a Marconi Elliot AFCS system onto the Lynx for automatic stabilisation on three axis.

Future Lynx

On 22 June 2006 the UK Ministry of Defence awarded Westland a £1 billion contract for 70 ''Future Lynx'' helicopters under a strategic partnering agreement with AgustaWestland[1]. The programme will provide the British Army and Royal Navy with 40 and 30 aircraft respectively, with an option for a further 10, split equally between Army and Navy.
Future Lynx is described as a new aircraft that builds on the dynamic and vehicle systems of the existing design, incorporating advanced technology and providing increased capability. The fatigue problems with the existing airframe and rotor system are to be corrected. Future Lynx will utilise some systems developed for the Super Lynx 300 and will feature a redesigned nose and rear fuselage to give greater space and easier access to avionic units. Future Lynx will be powered by two LHTEC CTS800 engines, offering increased power and endurance over existing Lynx powerplants, while retaining economy.
The first Future Lynx is programmed to make its maiden flight in 2009, with initial deliveries in 2011. The Army variant will enter operational service in 2014, with the RN variant following in 2015.

Operational history

In British service it equips the Army Air Corps (AAC) and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA). For the AAC the Lynx AH.7 and AH.9 operate as attack/utility helicopters. The Lynx AH.7 is in service with the FAA where it operates as an attack/utility helicopter in support of the Royal Marines, and the Lynx HMA.8 as anti-submarine warfare helicopter equipped with the Sea Skua anti-ship missile for Royal Navy warships.
The Lynx's most prominent combat role was operating the Sea Skua to devastating effect against the Iraqi Navy during the 1991 Gulf War. The Lynx also saw service with British Army forces during that conflict. It had already made its first combat operations in British service during the Falklands War in the 80s. None were shot down, but three were lost aboard vessels hit by Argentine bombs or Exocets, one on the MV ''Atlantic Conveyor'' and one each on board HMS ''Coventry'' and HMS ''Ardent''.
It was used during Operation Barras to rescue 11 British soldiers in Sierra Leone on 10 September 2000.
The most recent wartime mission for the Lynx was during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. It has also seen extensive service during peacekeeping operations and exercises, and it is standard equipment for most Royal Navy surface combatants when they deploy.
A British Lynx from 847 Naval Air Squadron was shot down over Basra, Iraq on May 6, 2006. The helicopter is believed to have been downed by either a missile or more likely, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). The Lynx crashed into a house and burst into flames, killing all five on board, including the Commanding Officer of 847 NAS. A riot followed with locals celebrating the downing of the helicopter and surrounding the crash site as British troops rushed to the scene. This was the first British helicopter and only the second British aircraft downed (the first was an RAF Hercules) due to enemy fire in the war.
Despite being well liked by the services the Lynx does not have a good safety record. The aircraft has been grounded on a number of occasions. In 2000 fatigue problems with the rotor head led to a Dutch aircraft crash and subsequent grounding. In early 2004 three Lynx crashed in a matter of weeks and again some aircraft were grounded. One of the reasons for the Future Lynx programme is to cure some of the known problems with the airframe and rotor systems.

Design

The Lynx is a utility type helicopter design with a side by side cockpit for pilot and co-pilot. It features a large sliding and crew door on each side. Its twin turboshaft engines power a four-blade rigid main rotor system.^[1][2][3]

Variants

Land-based variants

;Westland WG.13
:Prototype, first flight 21 March 1971.
;AH.1
:Initial production version for the British Army Air Corps, with over 100 examples built. Used for a variety of tasks, including tactical transport, armed escort, anti-tank warfare (equipped with eight TOW missiles), reconnaissance and casualty evacuation.
;AH.1GT
:Interim conversion of the AH.1 to partial AH.7 standard for the Army Air Corps.
;AH.5
:Upgraded version for the Army Air Corps. Only five were built, of which four were later upgraded to AH.7 standard and one was retained for trials work as an AH.5X.
;AH.6
:Proposed version for the Royal Marines, not built.
;AH.7
:Upgraded version for the Army Air Corps. A small number also used by the Fleet Air Arm in support of the Royal Marines.
;Lynx AH.9 (''"Battlefield Lynx"'')
:British Army version of the Super Lynx (AH.7 with wheeled undercarriage).

Naval variants

;Lynx HAS.2 / HAS.2(FN)
:Initial production version for the Royal Navy and the French Aéronavale. When it is used in the anti-submarine role, it is equipped with two torpedoes or depth charges and a dipping sonar. For anti-surface warfare, it is equipped with either four Sea Skua missiles (Royal Navy) or four AS.12 missiles (Aéronavale). Version for the Aéronavale was named HAS.2(FN).
;Lynx HAS.3
:Improved version of HAS.2.
;HAS.3(S)
:Improved version of the HAS.3 for the Royal Navy fitted with secure radio systems.
;HAS.3(GM(S))
:Nineteen modified helicopters for the Royal Navy, for service in the Persian Gulf (GM denotes 'G'ulf 'M'odification).
;HAS.3(ICE(S))
:Two helicopters for the Royal Navy for use in the Antarctic.
;HAS.4(FN)
:Upgraded version for the Aéronavale.
;HMA.8 (''"Super Lynx"'')
:Upgraded maritime attack version.
;HMA.8(DSP)
:'D'igital 'S'ignal 'P'rocessor.
;HMA.8(DAS)
:'D'efensive 'A'ids 'S'ubsystem. (Incorporates DSP).
;HMA.8(SATURN)
:'S'econd-generation 'A'nti-jam 'T'actical 'U'HF 'R'adio for 'N'ATO.
;HMA.8(SIFF)
:'S'uccessor to 'IFF'.
Eventually all HMA.8 aircraft will be at the DAS, SATURN & SIFF standard and will most likely be known as HMA.8(SATURN). The first of which will be in service in late 2007.

Export variants

;Lynx Mk.21
:Export version of the HAS.2 for the Brazilian Navy. Brazilian navy designation ''"SAH-11"''.
;Super Lynx Mk.21A
:Export version of the Super Lynx for the Brazilian navy.
;Lynx Mk.22
:Unbuilt export version for the Egyptian Navy.
;Lynx Mk.23
:Export version of the HAS.2 for the Argentine Navy. Later sold to Brazil and Denmark.
;Lynx Mk.24
:Unbuilt export version for the Iraqi army.
;Lynx Mk.25
:Export version of the HAS.2 for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Designated ''"UH-14A"'' in Dutch service.
;Lynx Mk.26
:Unbuilt export version for the Iraqi army.
;Lynx Mk.27
:Export version for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Designated ''"SH-14B"'' in Dutch service.
;Lynx Mk.28
:Export version of the AH.1 for the Qatar Police.
;Lynx Mk.64
:Export version of the Super Lynx for the South African Air Force.
;Lynx Mk.80
:Export version of the HAS.2 for the Royal Danish Navy.
;Lynx Mk.81
:Export version for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Designated ''"SH-14C"'' in Dutch service.
;Lynx SH-14D
:Upgraded helicopters for the Royal Netherlands Navy.
;Lynx Mk.82
:Unbuilt export version for the Egyptian army.
;Lynx Mk.83
:Unbuilt export version for the Saudi Arabian army.
;Lynx Mk 84
:Unbuilt export version for the Qatar army.
;Lynx Mk 85
:Unbuilt export version for the United Arab Emirates army.
;Lynx Mk.86
:Export version of the HAS.2 for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
;Lynx Mk.87
:Embargoed export version of the Argentine navy.
;Lynx Mk.88

:Export version for the German Navy.
;Super Lynx Mk.88A
:Upgraded version of the Lynx Mk.88 for the German Navy.
;Lynx Mk.89
:Export version for the Nigerian navy.
;Lynx Mk.90
:Export version for the Royal Danish Navy.
;Super Lynx Mk.90B
:Upgraded versions of the Lynx Mk.80 and Lynx Mk.90 for the Royal Danish Navy.
;Lynx Mk.95
:Export version of the HAS.8 for the Portuguese Navy.
;Lynx Mk.99
:Export version of the HAS.8 for the South Korean Navy.
;Super Lynx 300
:Export version of the Super Lynx.

Projects

;Lynx HT.3
:Proposed training version for the Royal Air Force, not built.
;Battlefield Lynx
:Proposed export version of Lynx AH.9.
;Battlefield Lynx 800
:Proposed export version of Lynx AH.9 with LHTEC T800 engines, the project was abandoned in 1992.
;Lynx ACH
:Proposed experimental 'A'dvanced 'C'ompound 'H'elicopter.
;Lynx-3
:Technology prototype, build in 1984. Only one built (serial/registration ''ZE477'' / G-17-24)

Derivatives

;Westland 30
: medium helicopter based on the Lynx, using some dynamic systems with a new, enlarged fuselage for up to 22 passengers.
Notes:

★ AH: Army Helicopter

★ HAS: Helicopter, Anti-Submarine

★ HMA: Helicopter, Maritime Attack

★ IFF: Identification Friend or Foe

★ (GM): Gulf Modification

★ (S): Secure speech radio

Operators

Military operators

;

★ Argentine Navy ordered ten Mk23s but only two were delivered before the outbreak of the Falklands War and the ensuing arms embargo imposed by the British. To make up for the undelivered aircraft, the Argentines ordered the Eurocopter Fennec.
;

★ Brazilian Navy
;

★ Royal Danish Navy
;

★ French Navy
;

★ German Navy
;

★ Royal Malaysian Navy
;

★ Royal Netherlands Navy received 6 search and rescue and 18 anti-submarine warfare models.
;

★ Nigerian Navy
;

★ Royal Norwegian Air Force operates six helicopters on behalf of the Norwegian Coast Guard. 337 Skvadron operates from the Nordkapp Class cutters.
;

★ Royal Air Force of Oman
;

★ Pakistan Navy operates Lynx helicopters for anti-ship / anti-submarine / transport duties.
;

★ Portuguese Navy uses Lynx on ''"Vasco da Gama class frigates"''.
;

★ South African Air Force operates four Super Lynx 300 Mk64s from the South African Navy's Valour class frigates.^{[4] [5]}
;

★ Republic of Korea Navy
;

★ Royal Thai Navy
;

★ British Army

★ Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy)

Law Enforcement Operators

;

★ Qatar State Police

Specifications (Super Lynx Series 100)

References

1. Lynx on Vectorsite.net
2. Westland Lynx page on avia.russian.ee
3. Rotorhead images on www.b-domke.de/AviationImages
4. ''South African Super Lynx 300 At Paris Air Show'' article at the official website of the ''AgustaWestland''
5. ''The eagles have landed'' article at the ''South African Navy Official Web Site''

External links

★ Super Lynx 300 page on AgustaWestland.com

★ Air Vectors: The Westland Scout, Wasp, & Lynx

★ Westland Lynx page on avia.russian.ee

★ helis.com Section on the Westland Lynx

★ Westland Lynx page on militaryfactory.com

★ Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) rotorcraft world records page

★ A video from December 1988 showing the Lynx being put through some extreme manoeuvres

Related content