Leonardo reveals new ‘weapons-wing’ for Lynx Wildcat

[Zarvan]

The Lynx Wildcat’s new ‘weapons-wing’ showing a representative load-out of the FASGW-family of missiles. Source: IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings
Leonardo has revealed a new weapons-carriage wing for the AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter to be used by the Royal Navy (RN).

The new stub-wing to replace the current pylons fitted to the RN’s 28 Lynx Wildcat HMA2 maritime helicopters was shown for the first time at the IQPC Military Helicopter conference on 31 January.

The wing will replace the current pylons that are used to carry the Royal Navy's weapon systems. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)

Speaking to Jane’s , Leonardo’s head of market development, Tony Duthie, said that the new wing was “an evolutionary development” of the previous pylon-based carriage, and would be a better means of carrying the RN’s required loadout of MBDA Sea Venom anti-ship missiles (also known as Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon [Heavy]) and Thales Lightweight Multirole Missile (Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon [Light]).

Imagery showcased at the IQPC event showed the Lynx Wildcat fitted with the new wing carrying a representative load-out of two Venoms on the its outer stations (one per station) and 10 LMMs on its inboard stations (five per station). It was separately seen carrying two BAE Systems Stingray lightweight torpedoes on its inboard stations (one per station), and will also be able to carry the Mk 11 depth charge.

According to Duthie, flying trials of the new wing will continue through 2018 ahead of retrofit onto the RN’s helicopters.

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