Westland Lynx

Design

The Lynx is a multi-purpose helicopter design with a side by side cockpit for pilot and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

It features a large sliding crew door on each side giving access to the cabin which can be used to accommodate up to nine equipped troops dependent 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 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] system.

The Lynx is an agile helicopter, capable of performing loops and rolls.

Operational history

The Lynx Mk.2(FN) entered service with the French Navy's [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in 1979. The Lynx AH.1 entered service with the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (AAC) in 1979, followed by the Lynx HAS.2 with the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (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.

As of 2009,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 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. Lynx HAS.3 and HMA.8 operate as [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and maritime attack helicopters equipped with the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] from Royal Navy warships.

HAS.3 and HMA.8 are also capable of anti-trafficking and anti-piracy roles when carrying boarding parties and when fitted with the FN Herstal M3M pintle mounted heavy machine gun.

The HAS.2 naval ASW variant took part in combat operations in British service during the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in 1982.

Although none were shot down, three were lost aboard vessels hit in Argentine air attacks ([Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and MV [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]).

Lynx helicopters used the Sea Skua to devastating effect against the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] during the 1991 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. The Lynx also saw service with British Army forces during that conflict.

In September 2000 the Lynx was used during [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

The Lynx was used during the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in 2003.

It has also seen extensive service during peacekeeping
operations and exercises, and it is standard equipment for most [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] surface combatants when they deploy.

A British Lynx from [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] was shot down over Basra, Iraq on 6 May 2006.

The helicopter was downed by a surface-to-air missile (using a Man Portable Air Defence System) killing all five on board.

This was the first British helicopter and only the second British aircraft downed (the first was an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]) 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 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] 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.