The Westland Lynx is probably the best medium shipboard helicopter ever; with outstanding performance & advanced avionics, the Lynx is well suited to a wide variety of roles, including ASW, SAR, fire support & troop transport. The Lynx's main armament in the ASW/ ASV (Anti-Surface Vehicle) role is the Sea Skua ASM. This combination was used with deadly effect in the Falklands, the Lynx flying over 3,000 hours of combat operations in even the worst South Atlantic weather. The Lynx's versatility & performance made it extremely popular with foreign navies, Lynxes being exported to Brazil, Malaysia, South Korea & the Netherlands. The Lynx was one of the designs that formed part of the Anglo-French Helicopter Agreement of 1967, between Westland & Aérospatiale, production being shared 70/30 between Westland & Aérospatiale.

The Lynx has a variety of electronics systems, including the Ferranti Seaspray search radar (replaced by the OMERA-Segid ORB 31W in Aéronavale service), Bendix or Alcatel dipping sonar & a Texas Instruments MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector). The Lynx also has one of the world's most advanced flight-control & navigation suites, which enabled the aircraft to fly in even the poorest South Atlantic weather during the Falklands War.

The Lynx can also carry a large array of weapons, but is usually fitted with Sea Skua ASMs. The Lynx-Sea Skua combination is probably the world's most deadly helicopter-missile combination. This was proved during the Falklands War when Royal Navy Lynxes sank or crippled several Argentine ships. The Lynx was also present during the Gulf War.

[Back to Naval Helicopters] [Home] [Jet Net UK Warzone] [Jet Net UK Photo] [Contact Jet Net UK]