NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2009 13
Desert Lightning
IN military aviation, the fighter is generally The go-ahead for the first of the UK’s Joint personnel will be involved in flying and include the first UK military test pilot to fly JSF
regarded as the ultimate aircraft – it has
Strike Fighters was announced by Defence maintaining the aircraft, and UK pilots and and the first hover of the STOVL variant.
speed, menace, kudos, the lot.
Secretary John Hutton in March. support staff have already begun preparations Sqdn Ldr Steve Long, who is due to fly JSF
But the head of the UK Joint Combat Aircraft
Preparations by staff of the Joint Aircraft for testing Lightning II, with the first this year, said: “The aircraft is going to be
Team thinks the term ‘fighter’ does the Lightning
Combat Team, in both the UK and US, will maintenance crews beginning their training extremely easy to fly, both conventionally and
II an injustice – it’s even better than that.
be taken forward by the UK element of a at Eglin late next year, closely followed by the in the STOVL regime.
Air Cdre Mark Green said: “We probably
Joint Operational Test and initial cadre of operational testing pilots. “This, combined with the unmatched level of
did the greatest disservice to the programme
Evaluation Squadron Sqdn Ldr Scott Williams, one of a situational awareness that the next generation
when we called the aircraft a ‘fighter’.
which will start with handful of UK staff in the multi- sensors and cockpit provide, will mean that
“This aircraft is more akin to an ‘air
conversion training national JSF Programme Office the pilot can focus on tactics.
combat system’ in that it is going to be
at Eglin Air Force team, said: “We work with the “The aircraft is capable of defeating
equally capable at providing unrivalled
Base in Florida contractor [Lockheed-Martin] or negating every modern threat
support to troops on the ground in contact
and then move on a daily basis to ensure system out there while executing just
with the enemy as it is doing deep strike
to the Mojave F-35 will be a highly potent about any conceivable mission for an
missions which might call upon its low-
Desert and and stealthy air system, aircraft of this size – from counter air
observable characteristics.”
Edwards a key tenet of which is and stealthy interdiction to close
Lightning II also represents an
Air Force affordability. air support and surveillance/
evolutionary change rather than the
Base. “Working with reconnaissance in environments
revolutionary improvements which
Navy so many different previously inaccessible due to
the UK traditionally seeks, said Air
and partner nations in threats.
Cdre Green.
RAF this environment “It’s not only a pilot’s dream
Three variants of the aircraft will
is incredibly to fly, but it’s going to be every
be delivered to eager test teams in
rewarding.” ground or naval commander’s
2011 and 2012, of which the UK
Notable dream to have F-35s
will be putting the F-35B STOVL
milestones operating in support of their
(short take-off, vertical landing)
over this mission.”
through its paces as it
year will Lightning II will be the
prepares to replace
sharp end of the strike
the Harrier GR9.
carrier force based on the
two Queen Elizabeth-
class ships.
● Lightning II, seen above in ‘converted’ fl ight mode with STOVL doors deployed
Just wild about the cat
MEET the Wildcat – the new name for the next-
generation version of the Lynx, which has served the
RN with honour for three decades. The Band of HM
And a new squadron has already been commissioned
to help smooth the aircraft’s entry into service.
Royal Marines
Until now, the latest variant of the aircraft has been
known as ‘Future Lynx’, or ‘Flynx’.
But at a ceremony at AgustaWestland, where
School of Music
the helicopter is being built, the £16m aircraft was
formally renamed AW 159 Lynx Wildcat (rather than
conducted by Sir Vivian Dunn. Included
plain Wildcat to avoid confusion with the wartime are: The Fleet Air Arm March, Sarie Marais,
naval fighter...).
Famous Songs of the British Isles, The
The MOD ordered 70 of the aircraft from the
Yeovil-based firm in 2006 for £1bn, though since
Finest Hours, No Hiding Place, Lilliburlero,
then the order has been trimmed to 62, 34 for the The US Marines Corps Hymn, Up From
Army Air Corps, 28 for the RN.
Somerset, Devon O Devon, The Victors
There will be little difference between the Army
and Fleet Air Arm versions, so that they can quickly
March, Shenandoah; plus a remarkable
switch roles. recording of the 1812 Overture, when
The Wildcat is slower than Lynx (a top speed of
the Royal Marines combined with the
184mph rather than 200mph), but more powerful
engines means it can carry a heavier load and it has a
Bournemouth Symphony orchestra -
range a third greater than the older aircraft. complete with gunfi re and battle
It will carry the Seaspray 7400E radar system, an
sounds provided by the Royal Artillery.
improved thermal imaging device, and the tactical
and aircraft systems will be displayed on screens, a
Epic! 23 tracks, 65 minutes
major step forward from the present Lynx.
● A computer-generate image of how the Lynx
The first test flight is due in November, with the
Wildcat will look
Picture: AgustaWestland
Compact Disc £12.00 incl p+p (worldwide)
first aircraft handed over for evaluation in 2011.
Wildcat is due to enter service with the Army in form part of the combined test team, along with
Make cheques payable to Eastney Collection – most major credit cards also accepted
2014 and the RN the following year. AgustaWestland, QinetiQ and the Rotary Wing Test
The new Fleet Air Arm squadron which will take Squadron at Boscombe Down, that will bring the
Eastney Collection, 60 Mayford Road, London SW12 8SN
delivery of the aircraft is 700W, the Lynx Wildcat helicopter into service.
Tel: +44-(0)208-673-6157; Fax: +44-(0)207-772-9545; Email: eastneycol@aol.com
Fielding Squadron. 700W will receive up to five Wildcats from January
The fledgling unit is already actively involved in 2013 to conduct operational evaluation and the www.eastneycollection.com
the design and development of the Wildcat and will conversion training of aircrew and maintainers.
013_NN_jun.indd 1 20/5/09 23:00:32
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