First Flight For The Wildcat | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.14.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.15.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.16.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.17.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Sat, Nov 28, 2009

First Flight For The Wildcat

"A Very Important Milestone" For The AW159-Based Aircraft

The first of 62 Wildcat helicopters which have been ordered for the Royal Navy and Army has successfully undertaken its first test flight at AgustaWestland's Yeovil plant in Somerset.

With AgustaWestland's Chief Test Pilot, Don Maclaine, at the controls, the aircraft undertook a short flight to assess handling characteristics and performed well.

The Wildcat represents a considerable advance over its well-established predecessor, Lynx, benefiting from simpler and more robust airframe construction, fully integrated avionics and glass cockpit, and upgraded engines. Improved reliability and reduced maintenance time will be amongst the many benefits.

"This is without doubt a very important milestone," said Stewart Deakin, Wildcat Program Manager in MOD's Defence Equipment & Support. "This date was set at contract award in June 2006 and it is to AgustaWestland and the Lynx project team's credit to have delivered it on time. This has been facilitated by much joint working between the two teams under the Strategic Partnering Arrangement between the MOD and AgustaWestland, dealing with any issues together in a timely fashion."

Wildcat First Flight

Deliveries of the Wildcat, also known as the AW159, are set to begin in 2011, with the aircraft entering service with the Army in 2014 and the Royal Navy the following year. Its wide range of tasks will include reconnaissance, transport of troops and equipment, force protection and support of amphibious operations.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.15.25): Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach

Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach An approach conducted while operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which authorizes the pilot of an aircraft to proceed >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.15.25)

“When l became the Secretary of Defense, I committed to rebuild our military to match threats to capabilities. Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.15.25)

Aero Linx: Stearman Restorers Association Welcome to the Stearman Restorers Association. The Stearman Restorers Association is an independent “Not for Profit” 501C-3 Co>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Kjelsrud Gary Kitfox

Airplane Exhibited A Partial Loss Of Engine Power When It Was About Halfway Down The Runway Analysis: The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from his pr>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Cessna A150L

The Flight Path Was Consistent With Low-Altitude Maneuvering On June 18, 2025, about 0922 mountain standard time, a Cessna A150L airplane, N6436F, was substantially damaged when it>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC