UK Defence Forum

Timmymagic wrote:There's no radar on the Army's Wildcat.

Timmymagic wrote:What would you strip out? There's no radar on the Army's Wildcat. The E/O system is incredibly useful and is pretty much a standard fit on all military helicopters. It's pretty much an enhanced AH.9 as is.

Wildcats of 815 Naval Air Squadron taking off in formation as they deployed for 7 months with the Carrier Strike Group on 1st May 2021.
Video: Royal Navy / RNAS Yeovilton

Ron5 wrote:

Timmymagic wrote:There's no radar on the Army's Wildcat.

Yet.

Joint Helicopter Command’s Commanding Officer, Rear Admiral Jonathan Pentreath, reckons the Wildcat is a success story for both the Army and Navy. He said: “Wildcat represents a clear step change in capability. There has never been any doubting the capability of the Royal Navy HMA2 with its Selex Seaspray radar and a comprehensive suite of mission systems. Our operational testing, including that alongside Apache, confirms the Army variant has really come of age during the last 12–18 months. For example, four Wildcat AH1s [assigned to 661 Squadron] completed a successful four-month deployment to Amari Air Base, Estonia, supporting a battlegroup and participating in Exercise Siil [a large mobilisation exercise for the Estonian Defence Forces]. This was the Wildcat AH1’s first operational deployment. It went well and proved the value of deploying a small number of aircraft to areas where they are seen by potential competitors. In July 2018, two Wildcats from 847 NAS also concluded a ive-month deployment to the Far East for Exercise Jeanne d’Arc aboard the French assault ship, FS Dixmude [L9015] with no issues.”

The helicopters deployed alongside Royal Marines to develop the British-French rapidly deployable Combined Joint Expeditionary Force. Tasking involved lying reconnaissance, and board-andsearch missions.

Tests involving Wildcat during the summer included the first successful launch of two AGM-114 Hellire airto- surface missiles by an Apache AH1 against a target designated by a Wildcat, confirmation of the Apache AH1-Wildcat AH1 teaming. This concept will be further enhanced when the AH-64E replaces the legacy Apache AH1 from 2022.

Addressing Wildcat AH1 mission system enhancements, Rear Admiral Pentreath confirmed they are under consideration. He said: “Our initial concept was of Wildcat hunting targets ahead of the Apache, but what we are inding more efective is Wildcat stepping back, using its multispectral sensor to direct the Apache on to its target. During the autumn, we conducted operational tests with the Seaspray radar. It will be fantastic having synthetic aperture and ground moving target indicator, which should allow us to markedly extend our capability for a relatively small investment.”

Rear Admiral Pentreath confirmed that future operational priorities for the Wildcat AH1 are introduction of a tactical datalink, increased endurance and a radar in that order. Given the radar is tried and tested, operationally efective and in service, incorporating it should be relatively easy and cheap to do. Arming its Wildcat AH1s further is not a priority at this time.

Ron5 wrote:Tantalizing hint on radar for the army Wildcats ..

Lord Jim wrote:Well we can always navalise a number to supplement the Army Wildcats that directly support the Royal Marines. If we take up the armed option on these as well, we could give our planned LSGs some organic air support, with the Wildcats carrying out their scout role and the Puma replacement providing the firepower as well as retaining the ability to move units of a size that do not require a Merlin. Off on a wishful thinking jaunt again.

Ron5 wrote:Still think a navalized AW149 (Puma replacement candidate) would make a great ships helicopter to supplement RN Wildcat.

J. Tattersall wrote:

Ron5 wrote:Still think a navalized AW149 (Puma replacement candidate) would make a great ships helicopter to supplement RN Wildcat.

Interesting point, does anyone know if Leonardo has proposed a navalised version? Not a trivial task, but interesting none the less.

Ron5 wrote:

J. Tattersall wrote:

Ron5 wrote:Still think a navalized AW149 (Puma replacement candidate) would make a great ships helicopter to supplement RN Wildcat.

Interesting point, does anyone know if Leonardo has proposed a navalised version? Not a trivial task, but interesting none the less.

Long time ago they said they wanted to do that but the challenge was adding navalized kit such as folding rotors and tail might hike the price up to where it competes with NH90.

Not a trivial task true, but not that hard either. The AW149 composite body and the firms expertise greatly helps. AW claim very few components are not seawater resistant. Interestingly, Egypt bought some unmodified to operate from their gater navy.