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AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat - Wikipedia
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat - Wikipedia
Development
In 1995, the British Government announced that the Royal Navy's existing Westland Lynx helicopters were to
be replaced; at that point, the service was intended to operate an all-Merlin fleet.[3] Despite this stated intent,
Westland Helicopters continued to hold talks with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to find a future role for the
type during the late 1990s; the firm issued multiple proposals to either extend the life of the existing Super
Lynx through upgrade programmes or more ambitious remanufacturing programmes incorporating varying
degrees of new components.[4] In 2002, the Future Lynx project originated in two studies to determine the
suitability of a derivative of the Super Lynx 300 to replace the existing Lynx helicopters of the Royal Navy and
British Army. These requirements were known as the Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft (SCMR) and
Battlefield Light Utility Helicopter (BLUH) programmes, respectively.[5]
In July 2002, AgustaWestland received a contract to conduct a formal assessment phase of the Future Lynx.[6]
On 22 July 2002, a collaboration agreement was signed between AgustaWestland and Thales Group, under
which Thales was assigned development responsibility for the programme's core avionics, including
communications, navigation, and flight management electronics;[7] that same day, additional MOD funding for
the fledgling Future Lynx programme was announced as having been allocated.[8] By April 2003, the in-service
dates for the BLUH and SCMR programmes were reported as being April 2007 and April 2008 respectively.[6]
Early on, AgustaWestland elected to adopt a glass cockpit incorporating electronics upgrades from the
AgustaWestland AW101 along with various airframe improvements, such as a redesigned tail rotor and nose, as
well as an increased use of machined components over fabricated counterparts, for the Future Lynx.[6][9] By
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July 2004, the option of upgrading and remanufacturing the first generation Lynx had reportedly been judged to
be uneconomical, and the BLUH programme of building a new generation airframe had been given prominence
instead.[10]
In late 2004, the National Audit Office (NOA) criticised the UK's existing helicopter fleet as being insufficient;
concurrently, a major reorganization of the MOD's procurement process subjected ongoing helicopter
programmes to major restructuring.[11] The BLUH was reportedly deemed unaffordable, and it was speculated
that a more modest sensor fit could be used, as well as the procurement of alternative platforms such as the
NHIndustries NH90, Eurocopter EC120, or Eurocopter EC635 instead of the Future Lynx.[11][12] Ultimately,
the utility transport aspect of the BLUH requirement was de-emphasised and the programme renamed
Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter (BRH).[13]
In early 2005, the MOD was reportedly deliberating on whether to launch an open competition for other
companies to bid to meet the BRH requirement, or to sole-source the contract from AgustaWestland to proceed
with the Future Lynx.[14] In late March 2005, the MOD confirmed the Future Lynx as being its preferred option
for its rotorcraft renewal programme, and was expected to place a non-competitive contract with
AgustaWestland later that year.[15][16] The signing of the contract was delayed to the following year, this was
reportedly in part due to preparation and release of the 2005 Defence Industrial Strategy, which supported the
selection of the Future Lynx.[9]
In October 2007, following the passing of an interim critical design review, the Future Lynx programme
proceeded to the manufacturing phase; the first metal was cut on the initial flight-test rotorcraft that same
month.[19] In September 2008, the powerplant selected for the Future Lynx, the LHTEC CTS800-4N, received
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification, enabling production deliveries to commence.[22]
In November 2008, GKN delivered the first complete airframe to AgustaWestland; the new airframe reportedly
had an 80 per cent lower part count than the earlier generation Lynx, which was achieved via the use of
monolithic machine components.[23]
On 24 April 2009, it was announced that the Future Lynx had been designated AW159 by
AgustaWestland,[24][20] and would be known in British military service as the Wildcat.[25] On 12 November
2009, the first Lynx Wildcat conducted the type's maiden flight from AgustaWestland's facility in Yeovil,
Somerset.[1] On 14 October 2010, the second AW159 performed its first flight;[26] on 19 November 2010, a
third Wildcat joined the flight test programme.[27] In July 2009, it was announced that the cost of the
programme had increased to 1.7 billion.[28] In December 2011, it was reported that four additional Wildcats
had been ordered for use by British special forces. These are to be joined by four from the current fleet on
order, for a total of eight aircraft to operate as Wildcat Light Assault Helicopters.[29]
Design
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The AW159 Wildcat is the successor to, and a further development of,
the Westland Lynx.[30] While the AW159 shares broad similarities in
appearance to the Lynx, it has significant design differences and is
heavily modernised and adapted to gain new attributes and
functionality.[30] The AW159 comprises 95% new components; the
remaining 5%, consisting of such items as the fuel system and main
rotor gearbox, are interchangeable with the Lynx AH7 and HMA8
variants.[31] During development, the Army and Navy variants of the
Wildcat reportedly maintained 98 per cent commonality with one An AW159 Wildcat flying alongside a
another.[20] The AW159 is the first helicopter by AgustaWestland to be Lynx, its predecessor, July 2014
designed inside an entirely digital environment.[30] Among other
changes, certain external elements of the Wildcat, such as the tail rotor,
have been redesigned for greater durability and stealth qualities.[30]
Many elements of the AW159's avionics are provided by Thales Group.[20] The type reported to possess
significant ISTAR capabilities and improved situational awareness, achieved through its onboard integrated
digital open systems architecture; it has been equipped with the Bowman communications system, allowing for
data such as targeting and voice communications to be securely and seamlessly transmitted to friendly
forces.[30] Some AW159 models have been fitted with various General Dynamics-built mission systems, these
include secured data recorders and tactical processing systems which integrate sensor data and application
information for displaying within the cockpit as well as for retention within encrypted data storage.[34] Other
mission systems used on the Wildcat have been produced by BAE Systems.[35] All variants of the Wildcat
share the same defensive aids arrangement, which shares some commonality with the AgustaWestland Apache;
features include missile warning sensors, countermeasures dispensers, and infrared exhaust suppressors.[19]
Operational history
United Kingdom
The UK has ordered 34 Wildcats for the British Army and 28 for the
Royal Navy.[2] The Army Air Corps formed the Wildcat Fielding Team
(Army), which later became 652 (Operational Conversion) Squadron,
for trials and operational conversion of Joint Helicopter Command
aircrew and ground crew to the type. The Royal Navy also
commissioned a Wildcat Fielding Squadron, 700W Naval Air Squadron
(700W NAS)[36] in 2009. Both units are located at RNAS Yeovilton. In
February 2012, a prototype Wildcat (ZZ402) conducted 20 days of
trials aboard HMS Iron Duke off the coasts of England and Scotland; A Wildcat taking off from RFA Argus
the tests involved operating under challenging weather conditions to during trials in 2011
define ship-helicopter operating limits for when the type enters service
in 2015. During the trials, a total of 390 deck landings were completed
including 148 night landings, 76 of which being conducted by pilots using night vision goggles.[37]
South Korea
On 15 January 2013, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced the selection of
the AW159 to fulfill a requirement of the Republic of Korea Navy for a maritime helicopter, winning out
against the MH-60R Seahawk. The batch of eight aircraft were chosen to perform search-and-rescue missions,
anti-submarine warfare and surveillance.[43] In January 2014, DAPA announced it will equip its Wildcat
helicopters with Spike NLOS missiles to provide a stand-off attack capability for engaging targets such as
ground artillery and small vessels.[44] In April 2015, the South Korean government was considering ordering a
further 12 Wildcats to further strengthen the Navy's anti-submarine capabilities; alternative options include the
MH-60 Seahawk and the domestically produced KAI KUH-1 Surion helicopter.[45] On 13 June 2016, the
Republic of Korea Navy took delivery of four Wildcats, after some unspecified initial delays. The helicopters
operate from the Navy's Incheon-class guided missile/coastal defense frigates.[46] The remaining four were
delivered in late November 2016. ROK Navy Wildcats are fitted with a Seaspray 7400E radar offering 360-
degree coverage.[47]
The first four AW159s were operational by February 2017. Its AESA radar and electro-optic thermal sensor are
capable of detecting surface contacts out to 360 km (220 mi; 190 nmi). For anti-submarine duties, the
helicopter can operate for over three hours when equipped with the Thales FLASH dipping sonar, two hours
with the sonar and one Blue Shark torpedo, and an hour or more with the sonar and two torpedoes; it can also
drop sonobuoys.[48]
Philippines
In 2014, it was reported that the AW159 was being considered by the Philippine Navy.[49] In March 2016,
AugustaWestland secured a 100 million contract with the Philippines' Department of National Defense for two
helicopters along with training and support. The helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in 2018 with the aim
of providing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface capabilities; prior to the introduction of the
Wildcat, the Philippines lacked any ASW capabilities in a region where the number of submarines being
operated by other nations was reportedly set to grow.[50][51]
Others
In 2016, Malaysia is reportedly considering increasing the number of helicopters operated by the Royal
Malaysian Navy by procuring either the AW159, Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk or the Airbus Helicopters
H225M.[52] On 20 April 2016, Finmeccanica (now Leonardo) signed a teaming agreement with Global
Komited, a Malaysian defence company, to jointly promote and distribute the AW159 Wildcat to the Malaysian
government.[53][54]
In 2016, the Bangladesh Navy floated a tender for two anti-submarine warfare helicopters. The requirement for
the helicopters appear to favour the procurement of AW159 Wildcat.[55]
Variants
Wildcat AH1
Initial battlefield reconnaissance model, total of 34 ordered for
the Army Air Corps.[56]
Wildcat HMA2
Initial maritime model, total of 28 ordered for the Royal Navy.[57]
Operators
Philippines Wildcat AH1 of 652(OC) Sqn Army Air
Corps
Philippine Navy (2 ordered)[58]
South Korea
United Kingdom
Specifications (AW159)
Data from Future Lynx brochure,[61] AW159 page,[62] militaryfactory.com[63]
General characteristics
Crew: 2 pilots Wildcat HMA2 of 825 NAS over the
Capacity: 5 passengers, including door gunner English Channel in 2014
Length: 15.24 m (50 ft 0 in)
Height: 3.73 m (12 ft 3 in)
Empty weight: 3,300 kg (7,275 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 6,000 kg
(13,228 lb)
Powerplant: 2 LHTEC CTS800-
4N turboshaft, 1,015 kW (1,361 hp)
each
Main rotor diameter: 12.8 m (42 ft
0 in)
Main rotor area: 128.7 m2
(1,385 sq ft)
Armament
Pintle-mounted machine gun, e.g. FN MAG (Army) or Browning
M3M (Navy).
Related development
External video
Westland Lynx/Super Lynx
Westland 30 Inflight video of AW159 (http://ing.
dk/artikel/124593-tag-med-ingenioeren-
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
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Related lists
References
1. "Lynx Wildcat makes first flight, with AW149 also poised for debut" (http://www.flightglobal.com/article
s/2009/11/13/334800/pictures-lynx-wildcat-makes-first-flight-with-aw149-also-poised-for.html). Flight
International. 13 November 2009. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20091116222406/http://www.fl
ightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/13/334800/pictures-lynx-wildcat-makes-first-flight-with-aw149-also-poi
sed-for.html) from the original on 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
2. "Army Wildcat continues on track" (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment
_data/file/360915/desider_77_Oct2014-v1_0.pdf) (PDF). Desider: 15. October 2014.
3. Cobbold, Richard (April 1994). "The Maritime helicopter" (http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/
03071849408445805?journalCode=rusi20#preview). Chief of the Defence staff. RUSI Journal. 139 (2):
5663. doi:10.1080/03071849408445805 (https://doi.org/10.1080%2F03071849408445805).
4. Derby, Paul. "GKN Westland offers UK Ministry of Defence upgrade for Lynx." (https://www.flightgloba
l.com/news/articles/gkn-westland-offers-uk-ministry-of-defence-upgrade-f-62265/) Flight International,
22 February 2000.
5. "Navy may get new version of battle-proven Lynx helicopter" (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.u
k/tna/+/http://www.mod.uk/dpa/news/pn2002/jul02/lynx.htm). webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. The
National Archives. 22 July 2002. Archived from the original (http://www.mod.uk/dpa/news/pn2002/jul0
2/lynx.htm) on 23 January 2006. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
6. Penney, Stewart. "Westland unveils cockpit concept for Lynx rebuild." (https://www.flightglobal.com/ne
ws/articles/westland-unveils-cockpit-concept-for-lynx-rebuild-164299/) Flight International, 15 April
2003.
7. "Thales joins Future Lynx programme." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/thales-joins-future-l
ynx-programme-151858/) Flight International, 22 July 2002.
8. "AgustaWestland sets its sights on Lynx deals." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/agustawestla
nd-sets-its-sights-on-lynx-deals-151855/) Flight International, 22 July 2002.
9. "UK close to forging Future Lynx deal." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-close-to-forging
-future-lynx-deal-204287/) Flight International, 24 January 2006.
10. "Military pounces as Westland plans upgrade to Super Lynx." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/article
s/military-pounces-as-westland-plans-upgrade-to-super-186265/) Flight International, 19 July 2004.
11. "UK revamps helicopter strategy." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-revamps-helicopter-str
ategy-188632/) Flight International, 12 October 2004.
12. Hoyle, Craig. "EADS offers to solve UK helicopter crisis." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/e
ads-offers-to-solve-uk-helicopter-crisis-190728/) Flight International, 30 November 2004.
13. "AW159 Lynx Wildcat Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter, United Kingdom" (http://www.army-techn
ology.com/projects/future-lynx/). army-technology.com. Net Resources International. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20100924191929/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/future-lynx/) from the
original on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
14. Hoyle, Craig. "UK to decide on future helicopters." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-to-de
cide-on-future-helicopters-195213/) Flight International, 15 March 2005.
15. "UK commits to Future Lynx helicopter." (https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-commits-to-fut
ure-lynx-helicopter-195919/) Flight International, 29 March 2005.
16. Trimble, Stephen. "Rivals stay quiet over UK Future Lynx award for now." (https://www.flightglobal.c
om/news/articles/rivals-stay-quiet-over-uk-future-lynx-award-for-no-196136/) Flight International, 5
April 2005.
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External links
AW159 page on Leonardocompany.com (http://www.leonardocompany.com/-/aw159)
"UK commits to Future Lynx helicopter" (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2005/03/29/195919/uk-co
mmits-to-future-lynx-helicopter.html). Flight International, 29 March 2005.
"UK cuts Future Lynx deal, delays new carriers" (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/12/12/32004
9/uk-cuts-future-lynx-deal-delays-new-carriers.html). Flight International, 12 Dec. 2008.
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