Leonardo AW159 Wildcat

Leonardo AW159 Wildcat Story

AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW159 Lynx Wildcat, a relatively new, thoroughly improved and modernized form of the successful Lynx family of utility helicopters, is expected to join forces with the British military within a few years Serving together' time. The Wildcat itself is based on the "Super Lynx 300" with a new tail boom, new cockpit, avionics and sensor suite, and new landing gear.

The Wildcat was originally known as the Future Lynx before it was renamed Lynx Wildcat by AgustaWestland on April 24, 2009. The British military will accept the Lynx Wildcat, officially designated AW159. The maiden flight of the first Wildcat was recorded at Yeovil on November 12, 2009, and the second prototype flew on October 14, 2010.

The Wildcat system is scheduled to begin deliveries to the British military sometime in 2011.

The first Lynx helicopter first flew on 21 March 1971 and was introduced later in 1978 and remains an active part of British Army and Navy operations. Bobcats were also purchased by the French and German navies.

Since its inception, Lynx has played a strong and prominent role on the battlefield with its versatility and effective service, serving in a variety of conditions including water operations. It has proven versatile enough to be outfitted with a range of ammunition options to suit a variety of mission needs.

The AW159 is powered by two LHTEC CTS800-4N series shaft turbine engines, each producing 1,362 hp, driving a four-blade main rotor with a port-mounted tail rotor system. Top speed is 184 mph, range is 598 miles, flight time is up to 4.5 hours, and fuel is optional.

The Wildcat is 50 feet long, with a rotor diameter of 42 feet and a height of 12.2 feet. Maximum takeoff weight is 13,200 lbs. Airframes for both the Army and Navy models are based on the Royal Navy's Navy Lynx.

Externally, she looks very similar to her original Lynx sisters, with a wheeled chassis, large front windows and sliding side doors.

Wildcat's weapons are expected to vary as needed. General weapons would consist of self-defense machine guns (0.30 or 0.50 caliber initially) mounted on trunnions on the doors.

Machine guns and rocket pods are also part of the ordnance payload, as are air-to-surface missile systems such as the Hellfire anti-tank vehicle. For anti-ship missions, the Wildcat is expected to deploy depth charges, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.

Weapons are carried by a pair of short wings attached to the sides of the Wildcat's fuselage. The integrated armor suite is designed to autonomously detect and attack land or sea targets, including underwater targets.

Wildcat will allow the use of modular armor accessories to further enhance survivability and provide "crash-proof" seats for the crew. For search and rescue operations, the Wildcat is equipped with rescue winches designed to accommodate casualties on medical evacuation stretchers in the cabin. Additionally, as a troop carrier, the Wildcat will provide multiple seats in the cabin for combat-ready troops.

For urban and forest deployments, the cabin can be attached to a quick-deploy rope kit.

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