Super Lynx programme accelerates

June 12th, 1999

With a total of 45 new airframes on order, the Super Lynx production line at Westland's Yeovil, UK, plant is at its busiest for many years.

The programme took another step forward this week with the first flight of the second of seven new Super Lynx being built for the German Navy. Thirteen new Super Lynx are also in production for a Far East customer and GKN Westland is upgrading to Super Lynx standard the seventeen existing German Navy Mk88 Sea Lynx and eight Lynx in service with the Danish Navy.

Super Lynx lands on

Commenting on the heavy workload, John Falconer, Lynx programme director for GKN Westland, said: "The Lynx continues to be seen by operators as the best aircraft in its class."

"The fact that existing operators are adding to their fleets and upgrading in-service aircraft demonstrates both their satisfaction with the aircraft's performance and their confidence that it will remain the best intermediate naval helicopter for many years to come. We hope soon to conclude negotiations which will add two new users, bringing the total number of Lynx operators around the world to thirteen."

"We have kept the Lynx in step with users changing requirements by regular upgrades to the airframe and equipment. We have invested in the latest variant, the Super Lynx 300, to make sure we keep the Lynx in the lead position in world markets."

The upgrade programmes for the German and Danish aircraft are the first life extension orders to include the supply of new airframe structures into which the existing aircraft's engines, flying controls, hydraulic systems, avionics and electrical systems are transferred. This innovative approach offers operators a cost effective, short lead-time approach to extending the aircraft in service for many years to come.

Typically, a more traditional upgrade, where the airframe is stripped down and refurbished, takes the aircraft out of service for some 12 months. Using the re-airframing option the aircraft is back in service after only four months. The latest standard Super Lynx airframe also incorporates an uprated fuselage which has the potential to take the all-up weight of the aircraft to well over 12,000lb (5500kg).

In parallel with work on its existing contracts, GKN Westland is also making rapid progress on the first Super Lynx 300. This latest variant of the Super Lynx incorporates LHTEC CTS800 engines in place of the Rolls-Royce Gem42 that powers existing fleets.

The CTS800 has up to 30% more engine power than the Gem which greatly increases twin and single engine performance in high ambient temperatures. A dual channel FADEC provides fully automatic engine starting, rapid engine acceleration and tight control of rotor rpm.

Super Lynx 300

The Super Lynx 300 also incorporates a full night vision goggle compatible 'glass' cockpit, with six LCD colour flat panel displays and digital core avionics. It takes advantage of the extensive experience GKN Westland has gained in the design and development of the Royal Navy Merlin HM Mk1 and Lynx Mk8 cockpits.

GKN Westland and Smiths Industries Aerospace and Defence Systems recently signed a joint memorandum of agreement for the supply of the integrated cockpit display system.

Since its first flight in January, the Super Lynx 300 has been carrying out a series of datum flight trials using Gem 42 engines. These trials are nearly complete and the aircraft will shortly enter lay-up to modify the top structure before fitting the CTS800 engines. First flight using the new engines will be later this year and the flight development programme will continue in 2000.

The Super Lynx 300 has been selected by South Africa to meet its ship-borne helicopter requirement and negotiations are also continuing with Malaysia for the supply of up to six of the aircraft to replace their current fleet of Westland Wasps.

You can contact GKN Westland Helicopters at info@gkn-whl.co.uk
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