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WESTLAND LYNX AH.1

 

The premier utility helicopter of the British military since 1977, the Lynx was developed since 1960s (factory designation WG.13) by a team of designers led by Tadeusz Ciastula. In cooperation with French Aerospatiale company, the Lynx was intended to replace earlier Ciastulas design, the Westland Scout/Wasp helicopter. First flight of the WG.13 prototype took place on 21 March 1971, although a full-scale copy had already been presented at Paris Air Show '69. In 1972 the Lynx broke the world speed record. Production was ordered by the British Army and deliveries started in 1977. The British Army and the Royal Navy have used the Lynx in the roles of transport, anti-tank, rescue and others.

Other operators have included French, German, Dutch, South Korean and Brazilian navies, Omani, Danish and South African air forces.

The Lynx has a crew of two sitting side by side and it can carry nine passengers in a compartment equipped with sliding doors on each side. The solutions implemented in the design of the main rotor enabled the helicopter to perform full helicopter aerobatics. In 1986 it established the current world speed record for helicopters, travelling at a speed of 249.09 mph (400.87 km/h).

Specifications (Lynx AH.1)

rotor diameter: 42 ft (12.80 m)
length: 51 ft 3 in (15.61 m)
max. takeoff weight: 1,000 lb (4,535 kg)
max. speed: 190 mph (165 kn, 306 km/h)
ceiling: 10,600 ft (3,230 m)
range: 390 mi, 340 nmi (630 km)
powerplant: two Rolls-Royce Gem Mk 2 engines rated at 671 kW (910 hp)