Thu, Nov 01, 2007
First Bulkhead Panel Machined
The first monolithic machined panel for the first AgustaWestland
Future Lynx was manufactured last week at Oldland CNC's facility in
Bristol, United Kingdom. The manufacture of the first component, a
lower fuselage bulkhead, was witnessed by representatives from the
UK Ministry of Defense Integrated Project Team and
AgustaWestland.
Oldland CNC is manufacturing 83 of the 147 Future Lynx primary
structure components and supplying them to GKN Aerospace for
incorporation into the airframe prior to delivery to
AgustaWestland. The monolithic machinings used in Future Lynx
dramatically reduce parts count, assembly time and reduce in
service maintenance.
"The start of manufacture of the Future Lynx represents an
important step in the evolution of the next generation of Lynx for
the Ministry of Defense," said Graham Cole, Managing Director
Business, AgustaWestland. "As the first program to be signed under
the Strategic Partnering Arrangement I am delighted that every
program milestone has been met on time and we look forward to the
first flight in late 2009."
Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East added, "I am delighted to
learn that the first machine cutting of the Future Lynx helicopter
program took place in Bristol. The entire program is important for
the region and the partnership between AgustaWestland, GKN
Aerospace and Oldland CNC is good news for the 60 employees of
Oldland CNC and the wider community."
The first Future Lynx, a Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter
(BRH) variant for the British Army, is on target to fly late 2009
and will be followed by the first Surface Combatant Maritime
Rotorcraft (SCMR) variant for the Royal Navy. The BRH and SCMR
variants have over 90% commonality and are powered by CTS800-4N
engines.
In June 2006 the UK Ministry of Defence awarded a contract
valued at nearly £1 billion to supply 70 Future Lynx
helicopters comprising 40 BRH variants and 30 SCMR variants with
option for a further 10 aircraft. The BRH variant will enter
operational service in 2013 and the SCMR variant in 2014. So far,
more than 80% of the project design activity has been completed
with a full air vehicle critical design review scheduled to take
place in April 2008.
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