AgustaWestland AW159 Information & AgustaWestland AW159 Links at HealthHaven.com

AW159 Lynx Wildcat
	Computer rendered model
Role	Helicopter
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	AgustaWestland
First flight	12 November 2009
Primary users	British Army; Royal Navy
Developed from	Westland Super Lynx

The AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat (previously called the Future Lynx) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter. The AW159 will serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare roles. The helicopter has been ordered for the British Army and Royal Navy. It is to enter service with the Army in 2014 and with the RN in 2015.

[edit] Design and development

On 22 June 2006, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded AgustaWestland a £1 billion contract for 70 Future Lynx helicopters as a commitment under the Strategic Partnering Arrangement with AgustaWestland. The programme envisaged providing 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.^[2] In December 2008 the MoD announced that contract would go forward and the order was reduced to 62.^[3]

On 24 April 2009, the Future Lynx was renamed the AW159, and would be known in British military service as the Lynx Wildcat.^[4] The first Lynx Wildcat first flew from Yeovil on 12 November 2009^[1], with initial deliveries of the type in 2011.

[edit] Operational history

The UK is to initially receive 62 AW159s with 34 for the British Army and 28 for the Royal Navy. The Army variant is to enter operational service in 2014, with the RN variant following in 2015.^[4]^[5] The AW159 will be powered by two LHTEC CTS800 turboshaft engines, offering increased power and endurance over existing Lynx power plants.

The Royal Navy has commissioned its first Lynx Wildcat Fielding Squadron, to be known as 700W Naval Air Squadron (700 NAS).^[6]

[edit] Operators

United Kingdom

[edit] Specifications (AW159)

This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.

Data from Future Lynx brochure^[7]

General characteristics

Crew: 2 or 3
Length: 15.24 m (50 ft)
Rotor diameter: 12.80 m (42 ft)
Height: 3.73 m (12.2 ft)
Disc area: 128.7 m² (1385 ft²)
Max takeoff weight: 6,000 kg (13,200 lb)
Powerplant: 2× LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshaft, 1,015 kW (1,362 shp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 296 km/h (160 knots, 184 mph)
Range: 777 km (420 nmi)

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b "Lynx Wildcat makes first flight, with AW149 also poised for debut". Flight International. 13 November 2009. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/13/334800/pictures-lynx-wildcat-makes-first-flight-with-aw149-also-poised-for.html. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
^ "AgustaWestland Awarded Future Lynx Contract". AgustaWestland, 22 June 2006.
^ Hoyle, Craig. "UK cuts Future Lynx deal, delays new carriers". Flight International, 12 December 2008.
^ ^a ^b "Future Lynx Is Now The AW159!". AgustaWestland, 24 April 2009.
^ "Future Lynx helicopter becomes Lynx Wildcat". UK Ministry of Defence, 27 April 2009.
^ "Fleet Air Arm forms Lynx Wildcat training squadron". shephard.co.uk, May 26, 2009.
^ AW Future Lynx. AgustaWestland, 2009. Retrieved on 24 August 2009.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Westland Lynx

Super Lynx 300 page on AgustaWestland.com
"UK commits to Future Lynx helicopter". Flight International, 29 March 2005.
"UK's Future Lynx programme moves into manufacturing phase". Flightglobal.com, 9 Oct. 2007.
"UK cuts Future Lynx deal, delays new carriers". Flight International, 12 Dec. 2008.

[ff-0] "Lynx Wildcat makes first flight, with AW149 also poised for debut". Flight International. 13 November 2009. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/13/334800/pictures-lynx-wildcat-makes-first-flight-with-aw149-also-poised-for.html. Retrieved 2009-11-14.

[1] "AgustaWestland Awarded Future Lynx Contract". AgustaWestland, 22 June 2006.

[2] Hoyle, Craig. "UK cuts Future Lynx deal, delays new carriers". Flight International, 12 December 2008.

[AW159_announce-3] "Future Lynx Is Now The AW159!". AgustaWestland, 24 April 2009.

[Wildcat_announce-4] "Future Lynx helicopter becomes Lynx Wildcat". UK Ministry of Defence, 27 April 2009.

[5] "Fleet Air Arm forms Lynx Wildcat training squadron". shephard.co.uk, May 26, 2009.

[6] AW Future Lynx. AgustaWestland, 2009. Retrieved on 24 August 2009.

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