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Westland Lynx

Development

ZD252 a Royal Navy HMA8 about to land

The initial design (then known as the Westland WG.13) was started in the mid-1960s as a replacement for the Westland Scout and Wasp, and a more advanced alternative to the UH-1 Iroquois. James 1991, pp. 400–401. As part of the Anglo-French helicopter agreement signed in February 1967, the French company Aérospatiale were given a work share in the manufacturing programme. Aérospatiale received 30% of production with Westland performing the remainder. It was intended that France would buy Lynxes for its Navy and as an armed reconnaissance helicopter for the French Army, with Britain in return buying Aérospatiale Gazelles and Pumas for its armed forces. The French Army cancelled its requirement for Lynxes in October 1969. James 1991, p. 401.
The original Lynx design was powered by two Rolls-Royce Gem 2 turboshaft engines, and used many components derived from the Scout and Wasp. However, the rotor was new, being of a semi-rigid design with honeycomb sandwich blades.Apostolo, Giorgio. "Westland Lynx". "Westland Lynx 3". The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. New York: Bonanza Books. 1984. ISBN 9780517439357. The first Lynx prototype took its maiden flight on 21 March 1971. James 1991, p. 402.
In 1972, a Lynx broke the world speed record over 15 and 25 km by flying at . It also set a new 100 km closed circuit record shortly afterwards, flying at .. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved 15 February 2009.
Over 100 Lynxes were ordered by the British Army as the Lynx AH.1 (Army Helicopter Mark 1) for different roles, such as 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. Deliveries of production Lynxes began in 1977.Donald, David, ed. "Westland Lynx". The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
An improved Lynx AH.1 with Gem 41-1 or Gem 42 engines and an uprated transmission was referred to as the Lynx AH.5; only five were built for evaluation purposes. The AH.5 led to the Lynx AH.7, which added a new tail rotor derived from that of the Westland 30, a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and defensive aids. These received further upgrades in service, including BERP rotor blades.
The initial naval variant of the Lynx, known as the Lynx HAS.2 in British service, or Lynx Mk.2(FN) in French service, differed from the Lynx AH.1 in being equipped with a tricycle undercarriage and a deck restraint systems, folding main rotor blades, an emergency floatation system and a nose-mounted radar. An improved Lynx for the Royal Navy, the Lynx HAS.3, had Gem 42-1 Mark 204 engines, an uprated transmission, a new floatation system and an Orange Crop ESM system. The Lynx HAS.3 also received various other updates in service. A similar upgrade to the French Lynx was known as the Lynx Mk.4(FN). Many different export variants based on the Lynx HAS.2 and HAS.3 were sold to other air arms.
In 1986, the former company demonstrator Lynx, registered G-LYNX, was specially modified with Gem 60 engines and BERP (British Experimental Rotor Programme) rotor blades. On 11 August 1986 the helicopter was piloted by Trevor Egginton when it set an absolute speed record for helicopters over a 15 and 25 km course by reaching 400.87 km/h (249.09 mph); a record it currently holds.

Lynx-3

Announced in 1984, the Lynx-3 was an enhanced Lynx development, with a stretched fuselage, a redesigned tailboom and tail surfaces, Gem 60-3/1 engines and a new wheeled tricycle undercarriage. The Lynx-3 also included BERP rotor blades, and increased fuel capacity.Eden 2004, pp. 495, 497. Both Army and Naval variants were proposed. The project was ended in 1987 due to insufficient orders. Only one Army Lynx-3 prototype was built.

Super Lynx and Battlefield Lynx

A development of the Lynx AH.7 with the wheeled undercarriage of the Lynx-3 was marketed by Westland as the Battlefield Lynx in the late 1980s. This variant entered British Army service as the Lynx AH.9.
In the early 1990s, Westland incorporated some of the technology from the Naval Lynx-3 design into a less-radical Super Lynx. This featured BERP rotor blades, the Westland 30-derived tail rotor, Gem 42 engines, a new under-nose 360-degree radar installation and an optional nose-mounted electro-optical sensor turret. Royal Navy Lynx HAS.3s upgraded to Super Lynx standard were known in service as the Lynx HMA.8, and several export customers ordered new-build or upgraded Super Lynxes. Later, Westland offered the Super Lynx 200 with LHTEC CTS800 engines and the Super Lynx 300, which also had a new cockpit and avionics derived from the AgustaWestland EH101. Both of these models have achieved several export sales.

Future Lynx/Lynx Wildcat

The British Army and Royal Navy Lynx fleets are due to be upgraded to a new common advanced Lynx variant based on the Super Lynx 300, with a new tailboom, undercarriage, cockpit, avionics and sensors. Initially referred to as the Future Lynx, this type has since been renamed by AgustaWestland as the AW159 Lynx Wildcat.

Operational history

A Lynx HAS.3 of in March 1982 prior to the Falklands War practising search and rescue.

A French Navy Lynx helicopter taking off from the Ouragan

The Lynx Mk.2(FN) entered service with the French Navy's Aviation navale in 1979. In British service, the Lynx is used by the Army Air Corps (AAC) and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA). The Lynx AH.1 entered service with the AAC in 1979, followed by the Lynx HAS.2 with the FAA in 1981. The FAA Lynx fleet was upgraded to Lynx HAS.3 standard during the 1980s, and again to Lynx HMA.8 standard in the 1990s. Most Army Lynx were later upgraded to Lynx AH.7 standard.
, the AAC operate the Lynx AH.7 and AH.9 as utility helicopters. Army owned Lynx AH.7 and AH.9 are also in service with the FAA where they operate as attack/utility helicopters in support of the Royal Marines. Lynx HAS.3 and HMA.8 operate as anti-submarine warfare and maritime attack helicopters equipped with the Stingray torpedo, Sea Skua anti-ship missile and depth charge 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. The HAS.2 naval ASW variant had already taken part in combat operations in British service during the Falklands War in 1982. 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. Ethell and Price 1983, pp.248-249.
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 6 May 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. A flight of either AAC or RM Lynx AH.7s are based at Basra Air Station under command of the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq) on a rotational basis, but are restricted operationally during the summer months due to the very high daytime temperatures which affect lifting capacity and endurance dramatically.

Design

The Lynx is a multi-purpose helicopter design with a side by side cockpit for pilot and observer. It features a large sliding crew door on each side giving access to the cabin which can be used to accommodate up to 9 troops dependant on seating configuration, or alternatively radio equipment when used in the command post role or surplus fuel for long journeys. Its twin Rolls Royce Gem turboshaft engines power a four-blade semi-rigid main rotor system.. Vectorsite.net, 1 January 2009. The Lynx is an agile helicopter, capable of performing loops and rolls.

Variants

Land-based variants

A British Army Lynx AH 7 in Bosnia during Operation Joint Endeavor - Peace Implementation Force (IFOR), May 7th 1996

Westland WG.13

Prototype, first flight 21 March 1971.

Lynx 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.

;Lynx AH.1GT

:Interim conversion of the AH.1 to partial AH.7 standard for the Army Air Corps.

Lynx 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.

Lynx AH.6

Proposed version for the Royal Marines, not built.

Lynx 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. Now replaced by the WAH-64 Apache as the main attack helicopter.

;Lynx AH.7(DAS)

:AH.7 with Defensive Aids Subsystem.

Lynx AH.9 ("Battlefield Lynx")

British Army version of the Super Lynx (AH.7 with wheeled undercarriage).

;Lynx AH.9A

:AH.9 with uprated LHTEC CTS800-4N engines. 22 are to be upgraded.

Naval variants

Royal Navy Lynx HAS.3(ICE(S)) supporting an Antarctic <a href="http://reference.findtarget.com/search/research station/" class="wiki">research base</a>

Royal Navy Lynx HAS.3(ICE(S)) supporting an Antarctic research base

Lynx HAS.2 / HAS.2(FN)

Initial production version for the Royal Navy (HAS.2) and the French Navy (HAS.2(FN)). 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 (French Navy).

Lynx HAS.3

Improved version of HAS.2.

;Lynx HAS.3(S)

:Improved version of the HAS.3 for the Royal Navy fitted with secure radio systems.

;Lynx HAS.3(GM(S))

:Nineteen modified helicopters for the Royal Navy, for service in the Persian Gulf (GM denotes Gulf Modification).

;Lynx HAS.3(ICE(S))

:Two helicopters for the Royal Navy for use in the Antarctic.

;Lynx HAS.3(CTS)

:One helicopter upgraded with avionics system proposed for HMA.8.

Lynx HAS.4(FN)

Upgraded version for the Aéronavale.

Lynx HMA.8:Upgraded maritime attack version based on Super Lynx 100.

;Lynx HMA.8(DSP)

:Digital Signal Processor.

;Lynx HMA.8(DAS)

:Defensive Aids Subsystem. (DSP aircraft modified).

;Lynx HMA.8(SRU)

:SATURN (Second-generation Anti-jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO) Radio Upgrade. (DAS aircraft modified. Incorporates SIFF (Successor to IFF)).

;Lynx HMA.8(CMP) see note below

:Combined Mods Programme. (SRU aircraft modified with improved comms and defensive systems).

Note: At the time of writing, all HMA.8 aircraft have been upgraded to DAS standard, all but one of those have been upgraded to SRU standard. All SRU aircraft have been modified to CMP standard and as such HMA.8(CMP) aircraft have since been re-designated back to HMA.8(SRU). All Lynx HAS.8 will eventually be at the CMP/SRU standard. The first CMP entered service in late 2008.

Export variants

A <a href="http://reference.findtarget.com/search/Boarding (attack)/" class="wiki">boarding team</a> rappel onto their ship from a <a href="http://reference.findtarget.com/search/Brazilian Navy/" class="wiki">Brazilian Navy</a> Super Lynx Mk.21A

A boarding team rappel onto their ship from a Brazilian Navy Super Lynx Mk.21A

Lynx Mk.90B landing on Royal Danish Navy THETIS-class

Lynx of the <a href="http://reference.findtarget.com/search/German Navy/" class="wiki">German Navy</a>

Lynx of the German Navy

Cockpit of a Lynx of the German Navy

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.

SH-14D

UH-14A/SH-14B/SH-14C Lynx upgraded to a common standard by the Royal Netherlands Navy under the STAMOL programme.

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 is upgraded version.. Vectorsite.net, 1 January 2009.

Lynx Mk.89

Export version for the Nigerian navy.

Lynx Mk.90

Export version for the Royal Danish Navy. Lynx Mk.90A is the upgraded version. The Lynx Mk.90 and Mk.90A were upgraded to Super Lynx standard and designated Mk.90B.

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 Mk.99A is similar version with improved rotor.

Super Lynx Mk.100

Export version for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Super Lynx Mk.120

Export version for the Royal Air Force of Oman.

Super Lynx Mk.130

Export version for the Algerian Navy.

Super Lynx 300

Export version of the Super Lynx.

Projects

Lynx HT.3

Proposed training version for the Royal Air Force, not built.

Lynx-3

Enhanced Lynx variant with Westland 30 tail boom and rotor, Gem 60 engines, new wheeled tricycle undercarriage and MIL-STD-1553 databus. Only one prototype built (serial/registration ZE477 / G-17-24) in 1984.

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 suspended in 1992. One demonstrator helicopter was built and flight tested. Eden 2004, . 497.

Lynx ACH

Proposed Advanced Compound Helicopter technology demonstrator, partly funded by the Ministry of Defence. Announced in May 1998, the ACH was planned to be powered by RTM322 engines with variable area exhaust nozzles and a gearbox from the Westland 30-200, have wings attached at cabin roof level and BERP rotor blades. It was predicted to fly approximately 50% faster than a standard Lynx.

Derivatives

Westland 30

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

AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat

a development of the Super Lynx with two LHTEC CTS800 engines; previously known as the Future Lynx.

NOTES: AH = Army Helicopter, HAS = Helicopter, Anti-Submarine, HMA = Helicopter, Maritime Attack, IFF = Identification Friend or Foe, (GM) = Gulf Modification, (S) = Secure speech radio, and SIFF = Successor to IFF.

Operators

thumb|[[Brazilian Navy Lynx Mk.21A collecting debris of Air France Flight 447 from the Atlantic Ocean]]
Lynx of Royal Danish Navy
Lynx of the Portuguese Navy
Military operators
Algerian Air Force: Super Lynx 4 Mk.300 (to be delivered in 2009)
Argentine Navy ordered ten Mk.23s 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. The two delivered helicopters in addition to the undelivered helicopters were later sold to the Danish Navy and Brazilian Navy.
Brazilian Navy: 12 Lynx Mk.21A
Royal Danish Navy: 8 Super Lynx Mk.90B's used for search and rescue and operates from the Thetis-class patrol vessels
French Navy: 31 Lynx HAS.4
German Navy: 22 Sea Lynx Mk.88A
Royal Malaysian Navy: 6 Lynx Mk.100
Royal Netherlands Navy: 20 Super Lynx SH-14D. Originally received 6 search and rescue (UH-14A/Mk.25) and 18 anti-submarine warfare models (SH-14B/Mk.27 and SH-14C/Mk.81), which have all been upgraded to SH-14D standard for both SAR and ASW duties.
Nigerian Navy: 2 Lynx Mk.89 - used for anti-submarine warfare
Royal Norwegian Air Force: 6 Lynx Mk.86 - operated on on behalf of the Norwegian Coast Guard. 337 Skvadron operates from the Nordkapp Class cutters.
Royal Air Force of Oman: 15 Super Lynx Mk.120
Pakistan Navy: 3 Lynx Mk.3 - used for anti-ship / anti-submarine / transport duties.

Portuguese Navy 5 Lynx Mk.95 - operated from the "Vasco da Gama class frigates".

South African Air Force: 4 Super Lynx Mk.64. Operates from the South African Navy Valour class frigates.

Republic of Korea Navy: 12 Lynx Mk.99 and 13 Super Lynx Mk.99A.. Vectorsite.net, 1 January 2009. Used for anti-submarine and surface warfare.

Royal Thai Navy: 4 Super Lynx 300

British Army - Army Air Corps: 120 Lynx AH.1/5/7/9.

Royal Navy - Fleet Air Arm: 80 Lynx HAS.2/3/HMA8.

Law Enforcement Operators

Qatar State Police

Specifications (Super Lynx Series 100)

See also

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