First Mission Is Training, But Service In Afghanistan Comes In 2010

The first four upgraded Lynx Mk.9A helicopters for the British Army have been delivered, with the fourth aircraft delivered Tuesday, according to AgustaWestland. Three of these four aircraft will be used by the Army Air Corps for conversion to type and conversion to role training at its Dishforth base in Yorkshire. In 2010 the Lynx Mk.9A helicopters will deploy to Afghanistan to support British and coalition forces, where its exceptional hot and high performance will enable the aircraft to operate year round in the demanding environmental conditions experienced there.

Nick Whitney, Senior VP - UK Government Business Unit, said at the handover of the fourth aircraft "Everybody involved at AgustaWestland, our suppliers and the MoD Project Team are to be congratulated for delivering the first four aircraft in just 12 months against an extremely tight program schedule. We know the enhanced operational capabilities these aircraft will deliver will be of great benefit to our troops in Afghanistan and we are now working around the clock to ensure we  deliver the remaining aircraft not just on time but ahead of schedule."

Following the flight of the first aircraft in September 2009 the Lynx Mk.9A completed its qualification test program successfully demonstrating the airframe was capable of maximizing the improved performance provided by the LHTEC CTS800 engines.

In addition to upgrading the aircraft AgustaWestland has successfully completed maintainer and aircrew training programs at its Yeovil facility, delivered new Integrated Electronic Technical Publications, spares packages and lap-top based training emulations.

A further three aircraft will be delivered by April 2010, followed by the final batch of five aircraft by September 2010, giving the British Army 12 Lynx Mk.9A helicopters. AgustaWestland is also working with the MoD on a follow-on-contract to upgrade the remaining 10 Lynx Mk.9s to Mk.9A standard, which would see the final aircraft being upgraded by early 2012.

FMI: www.army.mod.uk/aviation/air.aspx