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YEOVIL, England --- A significant milestone was achieved on October 25 2003 when the first production Super Lynx 300 helicopter for Oman undertook a successful maiden flight from AgustaWestland’s Yeovil airfield in the UK.
Captained by Senior Test Pilot Mike Adam-Swales, with Principal Flight Test Engineer George Anderson on board, the aircraft flew a standard initial test schedule comprising aircraft system checks and aircraft/engine handling. These included forward flight to 120 knots and low speed manoeuvres.
Speaking after the flight, Mike Adam-Swales said: “This maiden flight of the Royal Omani Air Force’s Super Lynx 300, powered by LHTEC CTS800 engines, was completed successfully.
All systems behaved as expected and the flight was smooth and trouble free. The aircraft has great potential for service in Oman.”
Alan Johnston, Chief Operating Officer in the UK, said the maiden flight marked a further chapter in the Lynx success story. “With 5 out of 6 Super Lynx 300 now delivered to the for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), we are delighted that Oman will be the next customer to receive the best aircraft in its class. We have kept the aircraft in step with users’ changing requirements and the investment placed in the Super Lynx 300 programme emphasises AgustaWestland’s commitment to maintain the lead position of Lynx in world markets.
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In 1998, the Super Lynx 300 programme was launched representing a new generation of the Lynx. The Royal Thai Navy confirmed an order for two Super Lynx 300 in August 2001 and the Sultanate of Oman signed an agreement in January 2002 to provide the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) with sixteen Super Lynx 300 helicopters. In August 2003, South Africa confirmed a contract for four Super Lynx 300 to be operated by the South African National Defence Force.
Developed from the proven Super Lynx 100, Super Lynx 300 incorporates an all new integrated “glass” cockpit and the more powerful CTS800-4N engines, giving excellent single and twin engine performance at maximum all up mass, even in temperatures of 50° C.
The CTS800 engines, jointly developed by Rolls-Royce and Honeywell in a joint venture called LHTEC, provide excellent hot and high performance with a newer Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) that delivers low maintenance and excellent economy.
AgustaWestland took the lead role of systems integrator transforming the Super Lynx 300 with a fully integrated cockpit with a colour liquid crystal display system and avionic management system, providing the crew with state of the art technology increasing crew and mission effectiveness.
The delivery of the first Super Lynx 300 marks the culmination of four years of rig and flight integration testing of navigation, mission, communication and engine systems from BAE Systems, Thales, Smith Industries and LHTEC.
This systems integration capability from AgustaWestland has been designed to provide the flexibility required to cater for the differing requirements of the Company’s present and future customers.
AgustaWestland became fully operational on February 12 2001 and the completion followed both the agreement drawn up by Finmeccanica SpA of Italy and GKN plc of the UK on July 26 2000 and the subsequent European regulatory approvals. The Company is 50% each owned by Finmeccanica and GKN.
With combined 2002 revenues of more than 2.7 billion euros and a civil and defence order book of about 7.
1 billion euros, AgustaWestland is now a powerful force in the world helicopter industry. It is a leader in a number of the world’s most important programmes and has an impressive pipeline of new products and technologies. |
