Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

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SKB
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Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

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Introduction
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants. The Lynx went into operational usage in 1977 and was later adopted by the armed forces of over a dozen nations, primarily serving in the battlefield utility, anti-armour, search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare roles.

The Lynx has the distinction of being the world's first fully aerobatic helicopter. In 1986, a specially modified Lynx set the current Fédération Aéronautique Internationale's official airspeed record for helicopters. As of 2014, this record remains unbroken.

In addition to a wide number of land and naval-orientated variants of the Lynx, several major derivatives have been produced. The Westland 30 was produced as a civil utility helicopter, it did not become a commercial success, only a small number were built during the 1980s. In the 21st century, a modernised variant of the Lynx was designed as a multi-role combat helicopter, designated as the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat; the Wildcat is intended to replace existing Lynx helicopters. The Lynx remains in production by AgustaWestland, the successor to Westland Helicopters.

Origins
The initial design (then known as the Westland WG.13) was started in the mid-1960s as a replacement for the Westland Scout and Wasp, and a more advanced alternative to the UH-1 Iroquois. Powerplant was to be twin Bristol Siddeley BS.360's. As part of the Anglo-French helicopter agreement signed in February 1967, the French company Aérospatiale were given a 30 per cent production work share in the programme, Westland performing the remainder. It was intended that France would procure the Lynx for its Navy and of a heavily-modified armed reconnaissance variant for the French Army, with the United Kingdom in return buying Aérospatiale Gazelle and Puma for its armed forces. In October 1969, the French Army cancelled its requirement for the Lynx, thus development work of the dedicated armed attack variant was terminated early on.

The first Lynx prototype took its maiden flight on 21 March 1971. In 1972, a Lynx broke the world speed record over 15 and 25 km by flying at 321.74 km/h (199.9 mph). It also set a new 100 km closed circuit record shortly afterwards, flying at 318.504 km/h (197.9 mph). In 1986, the former company demonstrator Lynx, registered G-LYNX, was specially modified with Gem 60 engines and British Experimental Rotor Programme (BERP) rotor blades. On 11 August 1986 the helicopter was piloted by Trevor Egginton when it set an absolute speed record for helicopters over a 15 and 25 km course by reaching 400.87 kilometres per hour (216.45 kn; 249.09 mph); an official record with the FAI it currently holds. At this speed, it had a lift-to-drag ratio of 2, and its BERP blade tips had a speed of Mach 0.97.

The British Army ordered over 100 Lynx helicopters under the designation of Lynx AH.1 (Army Helicopter Mark 1) to perform several different roles, such as transport, armed escort, anti-tank warfare (with eight TOW missiles), reconnaissance and evacuation missions. Deliveries of production helicopters began in 1977. An improved Lynx AH.1 with Gem 41-1 or Gem 42 engines and an uprated transmission was referred to as the Lynx AH.5; only five were built for evaluation. The AH.5 led to the Lynx AH.7, which added a new tail rotor derived from the Westland 30, a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and defensive aids.

The initial naval variant of the Lynx, known as the Lynx HAS.2 in British service, or Lynx Mk.2(FN) in French service, differed from the Lynx AH.1 in being equipped with a tricycle undercarriage and a deck restraint system, folding main rotor blades, an emergency flotation system and a nose-mounted radar. An improved Lynx for the Royal Navy, the Lynx HAS.3, had Gem 42-1 Mark 204 engines, an uprated transmission, a new flotation system and an Orange Crop ESM system. The Lynx HAS.3 also received various other updates in service.

Super Lynx and Battlefield Lynx
Announced in 1984, the Lynx-3 was an enhanced development, featuring a stretched fuselage, a redesigned tail boom, Gem 60-3/1 engines, a wheeled tricycle undercarriage, BERP rotor blades, and increased fuel capacity. Both Army and Naval variants were proposed; however, the project was ultimately ended in 1987 due to insufficient orders being placed. Only one Army Lynx-3 prototype was built. A development of the Lynx AH.7 with the wheeled undercarriage of the Lynx-3 was marketed by Westland as the Battlefield Lynx in the late 1980s. The prototype first flew in November 1989; deliveries began in 1991, in British Army service this variant is designated as the Lynx AH.9.

In the early 1990s, Westland incorporated some of the technology from the Naval Lynx-3 design into a less-radical Super Lynx. This featured BERP rotor blades, the Westland 30-derived tail rotor, Gem 42 engines, a new under-nose 360-degree radar installation and an optional nose-mounted electro-optical sensor turret. Royal Navy Lynx HAS.3s upgraded to Super Lynx standard were known in service as the Lynx HMA.8, and several export customers ordered new-build or upgraded Super Lynxes. From the 1990s onwards, Westland began offering the Super Lynx 200, which was equipped with LHTEC CTS800 engines, and the Super Lynx 300, which also had a new cockpit and avionics derived from the AgustaWestland EH101. Both of these models have achieved several export sales. In 2002, Flight International reported that more than 40 variants of the Lynx were in service, numbering almost 400 aircraft having been built for various customers.

Lynx Wildcat
Specific thread: http://ukdefenceforum.net/viewtopic.php ... p=241#p241

Design
The Lynx is a multi-purpose twin-engine battlefield helicopter, of which specialized versions have been developed for both sea and land-based warfare. A distinguishing feature between early and later aircraft is the undercarriage: early Army versions of the Lynx were equipped with skids, while the Naval and later models have been outfitted with wheels, a requirement for easy ground handling on the deck of a warship. Early versions of the Lynx were powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Gem turbo shaft engines, which powered a four-blade semi-rigid main rotor. The rotors were of a completely new design, the blades being composed of a honeycomb sandwich structure and made out of composite material. For shipboard stowage, both the rotor blades and tail can be folded. In flight, the main rotor is kept at a constant speed, simplifying aircraft control; the rotor also features a vibration absorption system.

The Lynx is an agile helicopter, capable of performing loops and rolls, and of attaining high speeds. The agility of the type led to its use as an aerial display aircraft, having been operated with by the Blue Eagles and Black Cats helicopter display teams. The efficiency of the main rotor, as well as the overall top speed of the Lynx, was substantially improved with the adoption of BERP rotor blade technology. During the 1990s, the hot-and-high performance of the type was considerably boosted in the later Super Lynx 200 series, at which point the type's Gem engines were replaced with the newer LHTEC T800 turbo shaft engine with associated FADEC system; the Lynx can also maintain a good level of performance under moderate icing conditions. The FADEC controls eliminated the requirement for a throttle or manual speed selection switches, further simplifying flight control. Later aircraft feature automatic stabilization equipment; functions such as auto-hover are optionally installed upon some Lynx.

Various avionics and onboard systems are integrated on the Lynx in order to perform differing mission profiles. Several operators have equipped their Lynx with BAE Systems' Sea Spray surveillance radar to provide for a surface search capability, which is used in maritime patrol, search and rescue, and other mission profiles. British Army models are equipped with a Marconi Elliot automatic flight control system capable of performing automatic three axes stabilisation. The integration of both avionics and weapons systems is customized upon each Lynx batch to customer specifications and requirements. Most of the installed sensors and avionics are typically integrated with the aircraft's avionics management system (AMS), from where they can be managed by either pilot; sensors such the optional nose-mounted FLIR can be set up to directly cue the weapon systems. Functions such as navigation and communications are also tied into the AMS, information from these systems are displayed directly to the pilots on interchangeable integrated display units in the cockpit. The Lynx is considerably easier to service and maintain than the AgustaWestland Apache.

The Lynx features a two-man cockpit for a pilot and observer sitting side by side; the British Army typically operates their fleet with a three-man crew, a door gunner being the third member. The cabin, located behind the cockpit, is accessed through a pair of large sliding doors on each side of the fuselage; it can accommodate up to ten equipped troops depending upon seating configuration. An alternative configuration houses radio equipment in the cabin area when the aircraft is being used in the airborne command post role; the cabin can also be used to house additional fuel tanks for conducting long distance missions and ferry trips. The Lynx can perform a wide variety of mission types, including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, vessel replenishment, search and rescue, airborne reconnaissance, armed attack, casualty evacuation and troop transport; according to AgustaWestland, a Lynx can be converted from one mission-type to another within the space of 40 minutes.

Typical combat equipment includes stabilised roof-mounted sensors, onboard countermeasures and door guns; when being used in the anti-tank role, the Lynx is typically armed with BGM-71 TOW missiles; missiles such as the Sea Skua have been used in the maritime anti-surface role. Additional armaments that have been interchangeably used include rockets, 20 mm cannons, torpedoes, and depth charges. Those Lynx built for export have typically outfitted with armaments and equipment customized for the end-user, such as the Mokopa air-to-surface missile used on Algeria's Lynx fleet; studies into equipping the AGM-114 Hellfire have been performed, air-to-air missiles could also reportedly be adopted if the capability is sought by operators. Equipped armaments can be managed and controlled in-flight through the on-board stores management system. In order to counteract battlefield threats such as infra-red guided missiles, various defensive aid subsystems can be optionally installed, including warning receivers and countermeasures.

Many of the Lynx's components had been derived from earlier Westland helicopters such as the Scout and Wasp. The Lynx has been substantially upgraded since originally entering service in the 1970s; improvements made to in-service aircraft have typically included strengthened airframes, new avionics and engines, improved rotor blades, additional surveillance and communications systems. Various subsystems from overseas suppliers have been incorporated into some Lynx variants; during a South Korean procurement, hulls produced in the United Kingdom were equipped with Korean-built systems, such as ISTAR, electro-optical, electronic warfare, fire-control systems, flight control actuators, and undercarriages. A glass cockpit was adopted on the Super Lynx 300, featuring fully integrated flight and mission display systems, a variety of integrated display units including head-up displays, and dual controls; AgustaWestland has commented that the new cockpit reduces aircrew workload and increases aircraft effectiveness. The head-up display installed could be replaced by a helmet-mounted sight system on customer demand.

United Kingdom Service
The Lynx AH.1 entered service with the Army Air Corps (AAC) in 1979, followed by the Lynx HAS.2 with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) in 1981. The FAA fleet was upgraded to Lynx HAS.3 standard during the 1980s, and again to HMA.8 standard in the 1990s. Most Army aircraft were upgraded to Lynx AH.7 and the later AH.9/AH.9A standards as utility helicopters; they have also served with 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron (3 CBAS) of the Royal Marines and later, the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) of the FAA, operating as reconnaissance and attack/utility helicopters to support the Royal Marines. During the Cold War, it was envisioned that Army Lynxes would be paired with Westland Gazelle helicopters to counter Soviet armoured vehicles. Lynx HAS.3 and HMA.8 variants operate as anti-submarine warfare and maritime attack helicopters armed with Sting Ray torpedoes, Sea Skua anti-ship missiles and depth charges, from Royal Navy warships. Navy Lynx have been critical to maritime patrol operations, including non-military operations such as counter-narcotics missions.

The Lynx HAS.2 ASW variant participated in combat operations during the Falklands War in 1982. A combination of Lynx and Westland Sea King helicopters were used to maintain continuous anti-submarine patrols in order to protect the British task force offshore from the Falkland Islands. On 3 May, a Lynx conducted the first combat-firing of a Sea Skua missile, firing on the Argentinian patrol boat 'Alferez Sobral, inflicting considerable damage to the vessel. This was the first use of sea-skimming missiles in the conflict. Although none were shot down in combat, a total of three were lost aboard vessels that were struck by attacks from Argentine aircraft, these vessels being HMS Coventry, HMS Ardent and MV Atlantic Conveyor.

On 14 May 1989, in the type's second fatal accident, Lynx HAS3GM XZ244, attached to HMS Brilliant, crashed near Mombasa, Kenya, while en route to the city's airport for a period of shore leave. A door had detached when opened inflight and collided with the tail rotor, resulting in the aircraft splitting in half and the death of all nine personnel on board. As a result, door modifications and inflight opening restrictions were introduced. As of 2004, it remained the deadliest Lynx crash.

The Navy's Lynx helicopters were among Britain's contribution to the coalition against Saddam Hussain's Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. During the Battle of Bubiyan, the biggest naval engagement of the conflict, the Lynx and its Sea Skua missiles proved to be decisive, being responsible for the majority of individual engagements with various Iraqi Navy vessels. By 2 February 1991, a total of 25 Sea Skuas had been launched, out of these, 18 were confirmed as having hit their targets, and had succeeding in heavily damaging a significant portion of Iraq's navy. Navy Lynxes were routinely used to deploy troops to oil platforms and into occupied Kuwait itself, as well as to perform aerial reconnaissance across the Gulf.

The British Army also deployed 24, TOW-armed Lynxes alongside an equal number of Westland Gazelle helicopters during the Gulf War. They were assigned the mission of locating and attacking Iraqi tank concentrations, and to support the advance of coalition ground forces into Kuwait and Southern Iraq during the 100 hours war phase of the conflict. On 26 February 1991, a Lynx of 654 Squadron AAC destroyed two MTLB armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and four T-55 tanks using TOW missiles, the engagement was the first recorded use of the missile from a British helicopter.

During The Troubles in Northern Ireland, on 19 March 1994 the IRA brought down Lynx AH.7 ZD275 of the AAC with an improvised mortar, striking it while attempting to land at Crossmaglen Army base. The pilot managed to crash land, the aircraft was destroyed but all crew on board survived. Author Toby Harnden described the incident as the IRA's most successful operation against a helicopter.

Various British Lynxes were used during the NATO intervention in the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo, later known as the Kosovo War. They were frequently employed to supply NATO forces inside the theatre, including those engaged in humanitarian operations.[56] In June 1999, the type was employed to escort British ground forces being air-deployed into Kosovo via Chinooks, during NATO's first phase of deployment.[57] For a number of years, British Army Lynx and Gazelle helicopters were deployed within Kosovo, performing reconnaissance and transport duties in support of the deployed NATO peacekeeping forces.

In September 2000, Army Lynxes were used in Sierra Leone to rescue several British soldiers during Operation Barras. In 2002, a Lynx attached to HMS Richmond crashed 200 miles off the coast of Virginia.

In March 2003, the Lynx formed the bulk of the deployed British rotary aviation battle group in the invasion of Iraq. Participating aircraft were quickly outfitted with engine sand filters, armour, heat dissipaters, modern secure radios and radar warning receivers.[60] In the subsequent multi-national occupation force, a flight of either AAC or CHF Lynx AH.7s were based at Basra International Airport under command of the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq) on a rotational basis.[61][62] In theatre, they would escort infantry patrols, perform aerial reconnaissance, provide fire support and act as airborne communications hubs. Performance issues were encountered in the high temperature environment, often operating with no power reserve and thus no ability to overshoot during landings; these were belatedly resolved by the introduction of the Lynx AH.9A.[63]

On 6 May 2006, Lynx AH.7 XZ6140 of the CHF, was shot down by a man-portable surface-to-air missile over Basra, southern Iraq; the first British helicopter and only the second British aircraft downed by enemy fire in the war. Among the 5 killed were Wing Commander Coxen, who had been due to take command of the region's British helicopter forces, and Flight Lieutenant Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill; Coxen was the most senior British officer to die in the conflict and Mulvihill was the first British servicewoman to die in action in 22 years. At the crash scene, British troops reportedly encountered rioting Iraqi civilians and were fired on by militia, while civilians were killed in the ensuing clashes. The crash led to a review of the vulnerability of helicopter transports in southern Iraq.

In 2006, the first Lynx AH.7 was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan; this variant would only be subsequently used during winter months due to the performance limitations imposed during the high summer temperatures,; the Lynx AH.9A later deployed was praised as having been a substantial performance improvement. On 26 April 2014, Lynx AH.9A ZF540 of the Army Air Corps, crashed near Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, killing the 3 crew and 2 passengers on board. This was the first, fatal accident in the conflict involving a British military helicopter, and the third biggest loss of life of British troops in a single incident in Afghanistan, since 2001.

Land-based variants
Westland WG.13
Prototype, first flight 21 March 1971. Thirteen prototypes built.

Lynx AH.1
Initial production version for the British Army Air Corps, powered by 671 kW (900 hp) Gem 2 engines, with first production example flying 11 February 1977, and deliveries continuing until February 1984, with 113 built. Used for a variety of tasks, including tactical transport, armed escort, anti-tank warfare (60 were equipped with eight TOW missiles as Lynx AH.1 (TOW) from 1981), reconnaissance and casualty evacuation.

Lynx AH.1GT
Interim conversion of the AH.1 to partial AH.7 standard for the Army Air Corps with uprated engines and revised tail rotor.

Lynx HT.1
Planned training version for Royal Air Force to replace the Westland Whirlwind, cancelled.

Lynx AH.5
Upgraded version for the Army Air Corps, with 835 kW (1,120 shp) Gem 41-1 engines and uprated gearbox. Three built as AH.5 (Interim) as Trials aircraft for MoD. Eight ordered as AH.5s for Army Air Corps, of which only two built as AH.5s, with remaining six completed as AH.7s. Four were later upgraded to AH.7 standard and one was retained for trials work as an AH.5X.

Lynx AH.6
Proposed version for the Royal Marines with undercarriage, folding tail and deck harpoon of Naval Lynx. Not built.

Lynx AH.7
Further upgraded version for the Army Air Corps, with Gem 41-1 engines and uprated gearbox of AH.5 and new, larger, composite tail rotor. Later refitted with BERP type rotor blades. Twelve new build, with 107 Lynx AH.1s converted. A small number also used by the Fleet Air Arm in support of the Royal Marines. The Lynx AH.7 can also be outfitted for the anti-armour role, with the attachment of 2 pylons, each carrying four, BGM-71 TOW, anti-tank guided missiles. In the light-lift role, it can carry an aircrewman armed with a cabin door mounted machine gun, as well as troops for fast-rope or abseiling insertions, or regular landings. It can also transport cargo. Now replaced by the WAH-64 Apache as the only attack helicopter.

Lynx AH.7(DAS)
AH.7 with Defensive Aids Subsystem.

Lynx AH.9 ("Battlefield Lynx")
Utility version for Army Air Corps, based on AH.7, but with wheeled undercarriage and further upgraded gearbox. Sixteen new-built plus eight converted from AH.7s.

Lynx AH.9A
AH.9 with uprated LHTEC CTS800-4N 1,015 kW (1,362 shp) engines. All 22 have been upgraded. A small number also used by the Fleet Air Arm in support of the Royal Marines.


Naval variants
Lynx HAS.2 / Mk.2(FN)
Initial production version for the Royal Navy (HAS.2) and the French Navy (Mk.2(FN)), powered by Gem 2 engines and with wheeled undercarriage, folding rotors and tail and deck harpoon. HAS.2 equipped with British Sea Spray radar, with Mk.2(FN) having French radar and dipping sonar. When it is used in the anti-submarine role, it can carry two torpedoes or depth charges. For anti-surface warfare, it is equipped with either four Sea Skua missiles (Royal Navy) or four AS.12 missiles (French Navy). 60 built for Royal Navy.

Lynx HAS.2.5
An interim HAS 3 equipped with the improved Gem 42 series engines but the original HAS 2 gearbox. Only used by 702 NAS in 1985/86 before all were converted to full HAS 3 standard.

Lynx HAS.3
Improved version of HAS.2 powered by Gem 42-1 engines and with upgraded gearbox. Thirty built from new, with deliveries starting in March 1982 and all remaining HAS.2s (53 aircraft) converted to HAS.3 standards.

Royal Navy Lynx HAS.3(ICE(S)) supporting an Antarctic research base

Lynx HAS.3 of the Black Cats (Royal Navy) display team

Lynx HAS.3GM
Modified HAS.3 helicopters for the Royal Navy, for service in the Persian Gulf, with improved electronic warfare equipment, revised IFF and provision for Forward looking infrared (FLIR) under fuselage. Originally deployed for 1990–91 Gulf War. Designated HAS.3S/GM when fitted with secure radios. (GM denotes Gulf Modification).

Lynx HAS.3S
Improved version of the HAS.3 for the Royal Navy fitted with secure radio systems.

Lynx HAS.3SGM
An improved HAS3GM with integrated Secure V/UHF communications, Mode 4 IFF, Loral Challenger ALQ 157 Infra Red Countermeasures turrets (fitted on the fuselage side high up just behind the Plot's/Observer's doors), M130 Chaff/Flare dispensers and provision for Sandpiper Forward looking infrared (FLIR) mounted under the port side inboard weapon carrier. First aircraft converted was XZ733 which deployed with HMS BRAVE in January 1991 for Operation Granby First Gulf War.

Lynx HAS.3ICE
HAS.3 modified for Antarctic service aboard ice patrol ships HMS Endurance. Designated HAS.3SICE when fitted with secure radios.[

Lynx HAS.3CTS
HAS.3 upgraded with avionics system proposed for HMA.8. Seven converted as test beds.

Lynx HMA.8
Upgraded maritime attack version based on Super Lynx 100. Gem 42-200 engines, BERP type main rotors and larger tail rotor of AH.7. Fitted with FLIR in turret above nose, with radar moved to radome below nose.

Lynx HMA.8(DSP)
Digital Signal Processor.

Lynx HMA.8(DAS)
Defensive Aids Subsystem. DSP aircraft were modified.

Lynx HMA.8(SRU)
SATURN (Second-generation Anti-jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO) Radio Upgrade. DAS aircraft modified. Incorporates SIFF (Successor to IFF).

Lynx HMA.8(CMP)
Combined Mods Programme. SRU aircraft modified with improved communications and defensive systems.
Note: At the time of writing, all HMA.8 aircraft have been upgraded to CMP standard and as such HMA.8(CMP) aircraft have since been re-designated back to HMA.8(SRU). The Lynx HAS.8 fleet are currently undergoing further modifications, by the Lynx Operational Support Team, to improve self-defence, mission execution and survivability. These modifications will not affect the SRU designation.


Type: Super Lynx 100
Crew: 2 or 3
Capacity: 8 troops
Payload: 1,480 kg
Length: 15.241 m (50 ft)
Rotor diameter: 12.80 m (42 ft)
Height: 3.734 m for mk7; 3.785 m for mk9 (12.25 ft for mk7; 12.41 ft for mk9)
Disc area: 128.71 m² (1,385 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,291 kg (7,255 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 5,330 kg (11,750 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Gem turboshaft, 835 kW (1,120 shp) each
Maximum speed: 324 km/h (201 mph)
Range: 528 km (328 miles) with standard tanks
Armament:
Naval: 2 x torpedoes or 4x Sea Skua missiles or 2 x depth charges.
Attack: 2 x 20mm cannons, 2 x 70mm rocket pods CRV7, 8 x TOW ATGM
General: 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (AH.7 and AH.9), Browning AN/M3M .50 calibre heavy machine gun (HAS.3 and HMA.8)

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SKB
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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by SKB »

Army Air Corps Lynx performing backflips!

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by SKB »

Just checked the FAI airspeed record data, the Lynx 800 is still officially the world's fastest helicopter with a speed of 401 km/h (249.2mph), achieved 11th August 1986.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ve ... ed_records

However, there are unofficial speed records set by the experimental Sikorsky X2 demonstrator (460 km/h on 15 September 2010)
Only one demonstrator was ever built and has since been retired. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_X2
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and the Eurocopter X3 (472 km/h on 7 June 2013) which would surpass the record if accepted by the FAI.
Only 1 built and has since been retired to a museum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_X3
Image

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by RetroSicotte »

Pffft.

If you have to add horizontal props just to beat it, then you aren't building a good enough helicopter to deserve the record. :D

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by shark bait »

I had no idea of the speed record. How should the wild cat compare?

Agreed those hybrid helos shouldn't count.
@LandSharkUK

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by SKB »

shark bait wrote:I had no idea of the speed record. How should the wild cat compare? Agreed those hybrid helos shouldn't count.
An off-the-shelf unmodified Wildcat maximum speed: 291 km/h (181 mph; 157 kn). No doubt it would go faster with the military hardware removed.
Wildcat thread: http://ukdefenceforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=59

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by Tiny Toy »

SKB wrote:...there are unofficial helicopter speed records set by the experimental Sikorsky X2 demonstrator ... and the Eurocopter X3
Those are gyrodynes, not technically helicopters (although Yanks call them "compound helicopters"). So the record is safe.

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by downsizer »

Report into the 2014 Lynx KAF crash. Sad loss of life.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... il-2014--2

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

Goodbye, Mk7.



Was it just the Mk7's that could do backflips? Can't find any vids of Mk9's doing them?


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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by marktigger »

when are the 9's due to leave service and are they being replaced or just the wildcat fleet taking over some sqn nameplates

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

Royal Navy Lynx Demonstrates Flare in Indian Ocean

Image

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Image
If ever there was an illustration of the awesome power projected by the Royal Navy’s helicopters – this image is it.

The Lynx helicopter from 815 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, lit up the night sky with her decoy flares as part of an exercise in the Indian Ocean.

The helicopter is on a nine-month deployment to the Gulf with HMS Richmond – a Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate which is silhouetted in the background.

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by xav »

:geek:
A
W
E
S
O
M
E

Now could this have any operational/tactical value ? Say... lure an IR antiship missile to protect the vessel ?

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by SKB »

New Years Eve Thames fireworks addition?! ;)

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by ~UNiOnJaCk~ »

xav wrote::geek:
A
W
E
S
O
M
E

Now could this have any operational/tactical value ? Say... lure an IR antiship missile to protect the vessel ?
Well helictopers were used in the Falklands War to 'bait' Argentine Exocets away from the fleet IIRC. I imagine it is not an ideal nor an everyday solution (not something you would formally find in the operational doctrine I should think), but it can work and has been tried before it would seem.

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by marktigger »

just watched a Lynx 8 over city nice to see be sorry when the Lynx retires but still they've had event full careers


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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

marktigger wrote:when are the 9's due to leave service and are they being replaced or just the wildcat fleet taking over some sqn nameplates
Anyone know? They received many more updates than just the power to deal with Hot&High" - like fast-roping, .50 cal...
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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hovematlot
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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

That's those gone then; Lynx Mk8s .

Mk9s (in the army) got brand new engines, but may be Afghanistan did them in?
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
If everyone is thinking the same, then someone is not thinking (attributed to Patton)

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SKB
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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

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marktigger
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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

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all good things come to an end as they say.

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SKB
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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

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^ Reminder, for today.

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SKB
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Re: Lynx/Super Lynx Helicopters (RN & AAC)

Post by SKB »

Lynx Farewell Flypast, Friday 17th March 2017

Glastonbury Tor (10:07-10:12)


Weston-super-Mare (The Helicopter Museum) (10:30-10:35)


Devonport, Plymouth (11:08-11:13)


Teignmouth (11:18-11:23)


Westland Helicopters site (now Leonardo Helicopters, Yeovil) (12:23-12:28)


Portland & Former RNAS HMS Osprey (12:37-12:42)


Sandbanks (12:52-12:57)


Naval Command HQ, Whale Island, Portsmouth (13:13-13:18)


London (14:13-14:18)



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