Leonardo AW159 (Lynx / Super Lynx)

History

The Westland Lynx (since 2000 AgustaWestland) was designed to the requirements of the British Army and initially consisted of four planned projects, including Army, Navy, two-seater attack aircraft and civilian passenger versions. The main idea of ??the four planned designs revolves around the use of different airframes centered on the same engine components to create an economical and reusable solution.

In the end, only the Army and Navy versions were actually completed, but both types were widely used in the armed forces of different countries, taking on different roles and producing as many variants as needed. Lynx is currently in service - a testament to its original 1960s design.

Development

Lynx was originally Westland WG. 13 (Westland numbers each of its designs in this sequential format, which means it has completed about a dozen other designs prior to WG.13) intended to replace the aging "Scout" and "Wasp" platforms, which Both platforms are early Westland products themselves. The system should also challenge the role the American Huey UH-1 Cobra helicopter currently occupies in the attack role.

Initially, the helicopter company included France's Aerospatiale (which accounts for around 30% of Lynx production), with France looking to buy Army and Navy versions of the Lynx, while the UK would in turn receive Aerospatiale's products (Gazelle and Puma.). When the French pulled out, the 1967 joint production agreement fell through, allowing Westland to continue designing the Lynx in-house, which made its maiden flight on March 21, 1971.

A total of 6 prototypes (and 7 pre-production models) were eventually built during production. The Lynx line is processed in Westland, Yeovil, Somerset, England.

Despite its origins as a naval assault platform, the Lynx quickly demonstrated its capabilities and spacious cabin, giving the system greater potential for armed service than originally envisioned. The aircraft is fully capable of looping and, thanks to its main rotor design, can roll and maneuver like a traditional fixed-wing aircraft - making it very responsive. In 1972, the Lynx set a new helicopter speed record at 200 mph (321.74 km/h) and later surpassed that figure at 250 mph (400.87 km/h) on August 11, 1986 , the latter thanks to new rotor blades (British Experimental Rotor Program (or BERP).

This particular Lynx was the 102nd production AH. Mk 1 model, but added two tail fins and a water-methanol engine. Converted The AH.Mk 1 model was later reconfigured back to its Army status with standard equipment and eventually withdrawn to the British Helicopter Museum.

On June 14, 1984, the prototype of the Lynx 3 exploded. The Lynx 3 represents the successor to the Lynx family, primarily used as an attack helicopter, with potential buyers in France and Germany. The project was largely scrapped when France and Germany prepared to produce their own solutions on the Eurocopter Tiger. The Lynx 3 was officially discontinued in 1987. The development of the Lynx 3 advanced the basic Lynx line, allowing Westland to produce the AH.

Mk 9, based on AH. MK7

Westland 30 (or WG. 30) is a derivative of Lynx. This personal transport model (commercial and military) is based on the Army version of the Lynx helicopter and is intended for VIP use. The ill-designed plane was doomed, forcing Westland into bankruptcy (forcing AgustaWestland into existence), and only 40 were producedall for civilian use. Operators are limited to India (Pawan Hans), the UK (British Airways, British International Helicopters and Helicopter Hire Ltd) and the US (Omniflight and Airspur).

The model first flew on April 10, 1979.

"Future Lynx" will ensure Lynx's voyage into the new millennium. The revised design shows the rear wing on the WG. 30.

New tail rotor assembly, 2 x LHTEC CTS800-4N turboshaft engines, 4,533 lb payload, improved countermeasures and IFF, laser target designator and new numbers with four large multifunction displays (MFDs) cockpit.

Of the 415 Lynx produced, 267 were for the Navy.

Design

Visually, the Lynx has a forward cockpit area behind the nose assembly for the pilot and co-pilot, who sit side by side in the rear of the cabin. Access to the cabin is provided by two cabin doors with windows on each side of the hull. The twin turboshaft engines were mounted aft and above the nacelle, driving a four-blade semi-rigid main rotor section and a four-blade tail rotor on the port side of the stern. Both blade systems are arranged in a cross shape, while the composite tail rotor rotates in opposite directions to reduce operating noise.

The main rotor is mounted on a forged titanium hub. The landing gear can be a conventional anti-skid system or a three-wheel retractable landing gear.

Armed

A lynx's weapon depends on the role it plays. The anti-submarine version is equipped with 2 torpedoes (Mk 44, Mk 46, A244S and Stingray), 2 Mk 11 depth charges and a diving sonar system. The anti-surface variant can deploy 4 x anti-ship missiles (Skull - British Navy / AS. 12 Wired Guidance - French Navy). For basic army attacks, the aircraft can be equipped with x 20mm guns (on both sides of the fuselage), 2 x 70mm rocket pods or 8 x TOW anti-tank missiles (four launch tubes on one side).

For all other general battlefield use, the Lynx can be defended with a crew-operated pivot-mounted machine gun.

Operational Services

Lynx was available in their HAS during the British-Argentine Falklands War. 2 Ocean forms. The only losses in the conflict were lynxes that landed on British ships hit by Argentine airborne munitions - but none were lost in action to direct enemy fire. Lynx has also served the British Army well in policing activities in Northern Ireland. The Lynx was used during the first Gulf War in 1991 and is believed to have been successfully deployed as a helicopter system for the Iraqi Navy.

Lynx also saw combat action in the subsequent 2003 invasion of Iraq. More recently, on May 6, 2006, a Lynx helicopter was hit by an enemy projectile (missile or missile), forcing the system to crash into a home and the process killing everything on board (5).

In addition to this activity, Lynx has demonstrated considerable humanitarian and search and rescue (SAR) operational capabilities.

Conclusion

Operationally, the Lynx has managed to become one of the best helicopter designs in modern warfare (more so for the Navy version compared to the Army version). Not only has it proven itself to be an adaptable platform, its performance has also earned the respect of many pilots. The Lynx legacy is likely to live on in the proposed Future Lynx project - which will take all the benefits of the original Lynx and pack it into a new advanced design with increased durability.

Future Lynx is expected to air in 2009, with production samples due in 2011. The contracts with AgustaWestland and the UK Ministry of Defence could result in a total of around 70 to 80 examples of first deliveries, with a contract value of ?1bn.

The Lynx anti-tank model in service with the British Army is being phased out by the more powerful Boeing/Westland WAH-64 Apache AH. Mk 1 - British Army equivalent of the American AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

The Brazilian Navy intends to upgrade its fleet of eight Super Lynx helicopters to the newer Mk. 21B standard. The model will feature an LHTEC CST800-4N turboshaft engine, as well as an all-glass digital cockpit and an upgraded mission computer.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes