GKN Westland Helicopters is the UK's only helicopter design authority, manufacturer and systems integrator with over 1,000 helicopters in service in 19 countries.
GKN Westland Helicopters designs, develops and produces military and civil helicopters and integrates the associated weapons systems. A complete integrated logistic support service is provided covering all aspects of customer needs throughout the long in-service life of the helicopter.
The newest helicopter in production is the EH101, developed and produced in conjunction with Agusta of Italy. The EH101 has been designed in three variants - naval, utility and civil. 44 of the naval variant 'Merlin' were ordered by the Royal Navy in 1992 and the first deliveries achieved in 1996. Merlin is the most powerful ship-board anti-submarine helicopter in the world. 16 of the naval variant have also been ordered by the Italian Navy.
The Royal Air Force has placed a contract for 22 of the Utility (troop transport and logistic support) variant. The first deliveries will take place in 1999. Substantial further business is expected for the military versions of the EH101 to fulfil roles such as special and amphibious operations, anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel warfare, airborne early warning, maritime patrol and long range search and rescue as well as more general transport of men and equipment. The civil variant has been designed for passenger and cargo transport, such as offshore oil rigs or between congested airports, but has also been ordered by Japan for use in policing and emergency roles.
The Canadian Government has ordered 15 Cormorant search and rescue helicopters worth £250m. The Cormorant variant selected is a dedicated search and rescue version of the rear-ramp equipped EH101 Utility.
In April 1996 GKN Westland Helicopters won a £2.2 billion contract for the British Army Attack Helicopter. 67 WAH 64 (Westland Apache) aircraft, equipped with the most up-to-date battlefield radar and guided missiles, will be supplied commencing in the year 2000. Boeing (previously McDonnell Douglas) and Lockheed Martin of the USA are the major sub-contractors to GKN Westland Helicopters but, importantly, 50% of the contract value will directly accrue as work for UK companies, including GKN Westland Aerospace.
The Lynx has undergone significant development since it was originally designed for the Royal Navy and British Army. Today's RN Mk 8 Lynx and export Super Lynx continue to set the standard as a versatile anti-submarine (torpedo), anti-ship (guided missile), surveillance, search and rescue and utility ship-board helicopter with unrivalled poor weather capabilities. Recent export orders include further aircraft for Brazil, Germany and the Far East and upgrades for Denmark and Germany. Super Lynx has been selected by South Africa.
The last GKN Westland Sea King was delivered in 1996 but many of the 330 aircraft, almost half overseas, will continue in-service for 20-30 years. These fleets are now supported by GKN Westland Industrial Products at Weston-Super-Mare which is part of GKN Westland Helicopters and specialises in the modernisation, repair, and overhaul of the company's older products.
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