Sun, Dec 27, 2009
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.
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