Lynx Helicopter Becomes AW159 Lynx Wildcat

[Grim901]

The Future Lynx Helicopter has just been renamed the Lynx Wildcat and the first flight is supposed to be sometime this year.

I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on the aircraft, and also whether the first flight has taken place yet? I ask because I'm sure I just saw one flying over my house. Is the new sensor package (the camera thing on the front) being added to any of the Mk9's or being tested on older Lynxes. That might explain what I saw.

(It was in RN colours by the way, not AAC).

Thoughts?

 

[riksavage]

The Future Lynx Helicopter has just been renamed the Lynx Wildcat and the first flight is supposed to be sometime this year.

I was wondering what peoples thoughts were on the aircraft, and also whether the first flight has taken place yet? I ask because I'm sure I just saw one flying over my house. Is the new sensor package (the camera thing on the front) being added to any of the Mk9's or being tested on older Lynxes. That might explain what I saw.

(It was in RN colours by the way, not AAC).

Thoughts?

Whilst a fan of the Lynx (still holds the world speed record) I think it's too small for future RN needs.

The RN/Army should go for The AW149 instead as a base model. 7t to 8t's, bigger than a Lynx, but smaller than the NH90. Can carry 16 troops and has a aprrox range of 950km. Many of the composite features on the Wildcat are similar to the AW149. Plus the ability to carry a larger embarked force brings much to the table particularly in an era of increased piracy, being able to fast-rope a team on board to compliment a rib underway alows for a quicker take-down of critical areas.

 

[citizen578]

Lynx Mk9 life extention

With the demand for helicopters growing everyday, the MoD is reviewing the possibility of upgrading and extending the life of the Lynx MK9 helicopter.

Already half the fleet is being upgraded to deal with the conditions it will likely encounter in Afghanistan as part of an urgent operational requirement. But with large numbers of helicopters still out of action across the fleet and ground commanders begging for more helicopter support, officials are considering ordering the rest of the MK9s to be upgraded according to Aviation Week.

Such an upgrade would allow the aircraft to stay in service beyond 2015 and possibly 2020. This would be the second life extension of the MK9s.
Originally they were to be taken out of service in 2012.

Under the upgrades, the Mk9s' Rolls-Royce Gem 42 turboshaft engine is being replaced with the Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co.'s (LHTEC) CTS800-4N. Aviation experts have said that this will give the aircraft greater performance in operations. It will also be able to operate in all seasons. The current MK9 engines are unable to operate at the height of the Afghan summer due to the extreme heat.

A life extension for the MK9 however may allow procurement chiefs to make further cuts to the Future Lynx (Wildcat) programme. Already the order has been reduced from 70 to 62 aircraft and with a MK9 life extension the order could be further reduced. The programme is valued at £1bn but through life costs could make the Wildcat's costs as high as £10bn.

 

[windscorpion]

i read somewhere they are short of engineers for maintaining the helicopters they have got, this should be priority #1.

and lets not mention the 57% shortfall in bomb disposal NCOs, still terrorism is so yesterday heh