New Lynx Variation

Found this site from AgustaWestland.
It shows the new version of the Lynx.
Notice the differant variations. Looks impressive. But is it better than old version? Going by the looks, i would say so.

Theres been some rumour lately that the MoD is considering to go for the NH-90 for the Navy and Army. As such it would replace the partly ageing fleet of Sea knights, Lynx´ and the Army Super Pumas. But I know of no definitive proof for this.

Edit: corrected wrong designation

[edit on 9/10/2005 by Lonestar24]

Nor me, but have a look at this about the NH-90 it gives some info and some good images.

The Lynx has always been one of the worlds top helicopters, I believe it is still the worlds fastest helo.

It is starting to show its age now though and I would like to see AgustaWestland (damned mergers!) come up with a replacement type. The NH-90 is really a transport helo in the Puma class so its selection as the replacement for the Lynx, as I have also read is being considered, would smack of being a 'make do' option for me.

Lone Star, could 'Sea Hawk' have been a typo for Sea King perhaps? I ask as the RN does not operate a Sea Hawk helo, which I believe is a naval variant of the Sikorsky S-70.

[edit on 9-10-2005 by waynos]

Yep, you got me there. Of course it has to be the "Sea Knights". Well, as inventive those companies prove to be with their products, they seem to spend not enough energy on their names I mean, Sea Hawk, Sea Knight, Knight Hawk etc.... who is supposed to keep an overview?

Im glad I am not the only one who heard of this rumor. But I am equally intrigued why the Lynx should probably be replaced by the NH90 (The Lynx is about 30 km/h faster at top speed, which shouldnt matter too much in this process). I have no doubt that the NH90 as a multi-role helicopter COULD be reconfigured into an attack aircraft, similar to what has happened to the Blackhawk, but I have never heard of such plans. The only advertised versions ATM are the transport and naval (anti-submarine) variants.

One question?

Is the LYNX roughly equivalent to the UH-60 Blackhawk/Seahawk?

Which one is better?

Originally posted by carcharodon
One question?

Is the LYNX roughly equivalent to the UH-60 Blackhawk/Seahawk?

Which one is better?

No its not. The UH 60 is roughly in the same class as (but far superior to) the RAF Puma. In the '80s the RAF was going to replace its Puma's with the Westland WS70, which was just a UK built UH-60, but budget cuts killed it and the Puma is still around.

The Lynx is more like the Kaman Seasprite in its naval form or an AH-1 HueyCobra but with a cabin for ten troops in its army version.

The best looking variant of the Lynx never saw service, this was an army Lynx mated with the rear fuselage of the WG30 and fitted with a UH-60 style 'crashworthy' undercarriage. it flew in the early 1980's but was another victim of our tiny defence budget (relative to the US ). At least its many advanced features have since found their way onto the production aircraft.

Although not of the best quality, I have dug out this illustration which dates from when it was announced as the Super Lynx 3.

Originally posted by Lonestar24
Theres been some rumour lately that the MoD is considering to go for the NH-90 for the Navy and Army. As such it would replace the partly ageing fleet of Sea knights, Lynx´ and the Army Super Pumas. But I know of no definitive proof for this.
[edit on 9/10/2005 by Lonestar24]

Howdie,

I apologise, but I have to say there are no plans at the minute for the Royal Navy or for that matter the RAF or Army to pick up any NH-90s, for one thing, you may or may not be aware, the UK have developed the EH-101 with the Italians, this aircraft is a multi-role tactical transport for the RAF and then the Navy the Shipboard aircraft, at the minute the RN plan to keep or upgrade their lynx shipboard attack helicopters and then introduce more EH-101s where possible, taking over the roles that the Sea Kings currently fill.

The RAF are phasing their Pumas out infavour of the EH-101, but to be honest at the minute I can't be sure as to the Army Air Corps, they have tested both the EH-101 and the NH-90 but I doubt that they will go with the NH-90 unless they are considerable cheaper, but as I say, I still do not consider the Army using the NH-90 unless the EH-101 blows up.

[Edit] I thought I should add another reason, at the minute they are trying to limit the number of differing weapon types and aircraft types, it reduces logistic and support costs in the long run.

The EH-101 is an amazing aircraft.

- Phil

[edit on 10-10-2005 by gooseuk]

I agree, the EH101 is one of the finest helicopters in the world, but it is vastly bigger than the NH90 and so an even worse choice for a Lynx replacement (for the army) than that is IMHO, I already think the the NH90 is too big and slow for the job, replacing the Lynx with the EH101 would be a bit like replacing the Tornado with a Hercules gunship.

Unless of course the Lynx's attack role is to pass entirely to the Apache AH.1 and then the NH90 would make some sense and maybe even more Merlin HC.2'S in that case.

Originally posted by waynos
I agree, the EH101 is one of the finest helicopters in the world, but it is vastly bigger than the NH90 and so an even worse choice for a Lynx replacement (for the army) than that is IMHO, I already think the the NH90 is too big and slow for the job, replacing the Lynx with the EH101 would be a bit like replacing the Tornado with a Hercules gunship.

Unless of course the Lynx's attack role is to pass entirely to the Apache AH.1 and then the NH90 would make some sense and maybe even more Merlin HC.2'S in that case.

Greetings,

Its a pleasure talking with you again waynos, your quite right on two counts, firstly the EH-101 is/would be a poor replacement for the lynx, thankfully they aren't planning on replacing lynx aircraft with the EH-101. Your quite right, that to be honest the Apache is "meant" to replace the lynx in the assault support role/anti tank.

At present there is some talk of the the RAF looking into the new ARH Bell helicopter that the americans are looking over, but I must say its unconfirmed, if I can get a stronger response on this you lot will be the first few to know. The other option is to either upgrade the current fleet, which in some cases may be easier said than done, as they have been carrying a good part of the tactical transport and recon roles in some of the active zones the UK are currently serving, the other option is to upgrade to the super lynx concept, I honestly don't know how this will play out.

The Army don't want to lose the lynx because the aircraft isn't simply an anti tank platform, its a tactical transport, a recon platform, escort etc you name it this aircraft has just about done it! Its something to look out for in the future.

- Phil

Cheers, I hadn't heard of UK interest in the ARH, I suppose its only in the preliminary stages at the moment.

You are dead right with the comments on the sheer versatility of the Lynx though, thats why I don't see any of the types we have mentioned being a proper replacement for it. They are all lacking in specific areas.

'Super Lynx Mk 276' it is then!

Originally posted by waynos
Cheers, I hadn't heard of UK interest in the ARH, I suppose its only in the preliminary stages at the moment.

You are dead right with the comments on the sheer versatility of the Lynx though, thats why I don't see any of the types we have mentioned being a proper replacement for it. They are all lacking in specific areas.

'Super Lynx Mk 276' it is then!

I am honestly not to keen on the ARH concept, the bell helicopters [OH-58s], don't seem to be able to hold up to battle damage the way the lynx or the US little birds can. I honestly would love another lynx variant or concept, you can't replace an amazing design, merely improve on it, the Landrover is a great example of it.

No word on a Gazelle replacement or the long term plans for it, they are removing them from service, but as of yet I haven't heard of a replacement even in the works. Have you heard anything as of yet?

- Phil

No, not a thing. It appears as though they are simply running down the Gazelle fleet without replacing it as a cost cutting measure, as with the RAF's Jaguars.

A mistake if that is the case.

Originally posted by gooseuk
The RAF are phasing their Pumas out infavour of the EH-101, but to be honest at the minute I can't be sure as to the Army Air Corps, they have tested both the EH-101 and the NH-90 but I doubt that they will go with the NH-90 unless they are considerable cheaper, but as I say, I still do not consider the Army using the NH-90 unless the EH-101 blows up.

My son is with the Army Air Corps. He is a door gunner on the Lynx. At the moment he has been on trials in Portugal with the NH-90 as to the suitability of its role within the Air corps. This says it is at least an option to the Army, and they are maybe considering it?

I will post pics when i get them.

[edit on 11-10-2005 by Bikereddie]

Originally posted by Bikereddie
My son is with the Army Air Corps. He is a door gunner on the Lynx. At the moment he has been on trials in Portugal with the NH-90 as to the suitability of its role within the Air corps. This says it is at least an option to the Army, and they are maybe considering it?

I will post pics when i get them.

[edit on 11-10-2005 by Bikereddie]

Greetings,

I have heard that the Army have ran trials with both of the aircraft, but to be honest, I believe they will end up with the EH-101. I have a number of reasons for this, its been developed by us in part with the italians, its also being used as the new helicopter for both the RAF and RN air arm, which means that it will reduce logistic support across the military not to mention to reduce training assets as well.

The NH-90 is a fine design, but to be honest, I believe politics and cost will put the EH-101 at the front of the pack in terms of the Army Air Corps replacement.

- Phil