British Army Takes Delivery of First Four Lynx Mk9A Helicopters

[Metallic]

First Four Lynx Mk9A Helicopters Delivered Just 12 Months After Contract Award
UNITED KINGDOM - 22 DECEMBER 2009

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first four upgraded Lynx Mk.9A helicopters for the British Army have been delivered, with the fourth aircraft delivered today, just 12 months after contract award. Three of these four aircraft will be used by the Army Air Corps for conversion to type and conversion to role training at its Dishforth base in Yorkshire. In 2010 the Lynx Mk.9A helicopters will deploy to Afghanistan to support British and coalition forces, where its exceptional hot and high performance will enable the aircraft to operate year round in the demanding environmental conditions experienced there.

Nick Whitney, Senior VP - UK Government Business Unit, said at the handover of the fourth aircraft "Everybody involved at AgustaWestland, our suppliers and the MoD Project Team are to be congratulated for delivering the first four aircraft in just 12 months against an extremely tight programme schedule. We know the enhanced operational capabilities these aircraft will deliver will be of great benefit to our troops in Afghanistan and we are now working around the clock to ensure we deliver the remaining aircraft not just on time but ahead of schedule." Following the flight of the first aircraft in September 2009 the Lynx Mk.9A completed its qualification test programme successfully demonstrating the airframe was capable of maximising the improved performance provided by the LHTEC CTS800 engines, thus meeting or exceeding the customers' Key User Requirements.

In addition to upgrading the aircraft AgustaWestland has successfully completed maintainer and aircrew training programmes at its Yeovil facility, delivered new Integrated Electronic Technical Publications, spares packages and lap-top based training emulations. A further three aircraft will be delivered by April 2010, followed by the final batch of five aircraft by September 2010, giving the British Army 12 Lynx Mk.9A helicopters three months ahead of the contracted date. AgustaWestland is also working with the MoD on a follow-on-contract to upgrade the remaining 10 Lynx Mk.9s to Mk.9A standard, which would see the final aircraft being upgraded by early 2012.





Source: AgustaWestland

 

[Metallic]

New British Army Lynx helicopters boost air support in Afghanistan
UNITED KINGDOM - 25 MAY 2010

Upgraded Army Lynx Mk9A helicopters have arrived for use in Afghanistan after being shipped from the UK, and are already being put to good use

The Lynx Mk9As, with their increased fire power, more powerful engines, and the ability to operate all year in the harsh 'hot and high' Afghan environment, have increased the total number of flying hours available to commanders.

The stripped-down helicopters were transported by C-17 Globemaster aircraft from RAF Brize Norton to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.

There, the rotor blades were fitted and familiarisation flights took place before operational sorties began in earnest earlier this month.

The Lynx Mk9A is fitted with a more advanced communication system, improved surveillance equipment and the M3M machine gun - a 0.50-calibre weapon capable of firing over 850 rounds per minute.

The new helicopters are already performing a wide range of front line tasks, including convoy overwatch, support helicopter escort, reconnaissance and surveillance, and the movement of forces.

Major Max Lytle, Army Air Corps, Officer Commanding 672 Squadron, said:

"We are now in Afghanistan, playing an important role in protecting our ground forces and carrying out surveillance, boosting performance in Afghanistan's challenging conditions."

The upgraded Lynx joins the other aircraft in Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) [JHF(A)], commanded from Camp Bastion. This Force comprises helicopters from all three Services operating to support the multinational coalition effort, including Chinooks, Merlins, Apaches and Sea Kings.

The Commanding Officer of JHF(A), Wing Commander 'Spats' Paterson RAF, said:

"I am delighted to see these highly capable aircraft arrive in theatre. They are an extremely valuable addition to the UK helicopter force and the modifications they carry make them an extremely effective platform."

Army aircrews undertook extensive pre-deployment flight training on the new aircraft in Kenya to gain flying experience in similar 'hot and high' conditions before the start of their first operational tours in the Lynx Mk9A.

One of the new Lynx Mk9A helicopters is loaded onto a C-17 transport aircraft at RAF Brize Norton

A new Lynx Mk9A helicopter takes off at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan

Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence