Wildcat has Completed Sea Trials

A prototype of the latest Royal Navy helicopter crew, AW159 Lynx Wildcat, finished second, final round of sea trials on board the frigate HMS Iron Duke .


The new helicopter is a development of the Lynx family of machines, used since the 1970s. Wildcat engines equipped LHTEC (a joint venture of Rolls Royce `ai Honeywell) CTS800-4N on-off power 1362 hp each (standard Rolls Royce Gem have the power to 1000 hp). This allowed for increased maximum takeoff weight, from 5.3 to 6.25 t, lifting, ceiling, and range. 

Top speed is close to the border of 300 km / h AW159 will be equipped with modern avionics, nasal head optoelectronic cameras: living and working in the infrared and laser pointer targets. The Marine version will also receive an omni directional scanning radar phase Selex Galileo 7400. They will be able to carry the entire range of weaponry, from machine guns, the torpedoes, the submarine specialized systems.


Tests of the prototype ZZ402 on board the frigate HMS Iron Duke has been divided into two 10-day round. The first was carried out in mid-January, the second - a month later. During these meetings made ​​390 takeoffs and landings (including 79 night, using night vision goggles), in different weather conditions, specifying safe conditions for use of these helicopters.

But these were not the first dislocations of warships. Initial 4-week test was carried out in October and December last year aboard the auxiliary Argus.


The British Ministry of Defence intends to buy a total of 62 such helicopters, of which 28 will be allocated to the Royal Navy as an aviation helicopters on board frigates and destroyers for. The first of these should begin service in 2015.