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Leonardo AW159 Wildcat Conducts First Successful Firings of Thales ‘Martlet’ Missile


Leonardo and Thales recently


announced the first successful firings of the Thales ‘Martlet’ Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) from Leonardo’s AW159 Wildcat helicopter. The firings were conducted as part of the U.K. MoD’s Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) program and demonstrated the integration of the Martlet onto the AW159 platform. This represents a major milestone for the program and will enable this high-end capability to enter service with the Royal Navy later this year.


The firing trials were conducted from April 27 to May 21 and despite the current COVID-19 situation, Leonardo and Thales were able to support the U.K. Ministry of Defence by completing this critical activity. All of the teams involved had to adopt strict distancing procedures, in some cases having to find new ways of working, in order to make sure that the trials could go ahead. It is a testimony to the professionalism of those involved that these trials were successfully completed under


such


challenging and novel circumstances. “


22 May/June 2020


This major milestone demonstrates that


the combination of the AW159 Wildcat and Martlet missile will be a flexible and effective tool for the Royal Navy. Next year the Wildcat fleet will embark on Carrier Strike Group missions with HMS Queen Elizabeth on its maiden operational deployment. As the only British company to design and manufacture helicopters on-shore, we’re extremely proud to be equipping the U.K. Armed Forces with world- beating sovereign capabilities.” said Nick Whitney, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters (UK).


“The successful live firings of the Thales LMM Martlet from the AW159 Wildcat is a key milestone in the program, delivering a significant step-change in capability for the platform. LMM Martlet will ensure that the Wildcat has the best- in-class offensive capability to protect HMS Queen Elizabeth and her task group during her maiden operational deployment next year. With each platform capable of carrying up to 20 Martlets, the Wildcats deployed with the task group will be a significant deterrent to anyone wishing to interfere with U.K. interests.” said Philip McBride, general manager of Thales U.K. Integrated Airspace Protection Systems.


HAI Statement on FAA Approval of SFAR 118


Helicopter Association


International (HAI) extends its deepest appreciation to the Federal


Aviation


Administration (FAA) for approving Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 118 that will relieve some of the compliance burden on pilots and companies during the global COVID-19 pandemic.


“We are truly grateful to the FAA staff for pushing this SFAR forward,” says James Viola, president and CEO of HAI. “This regulation will offer significant relief to many of our members who face looming deadlines for certifications and licenses. FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and his staff went to extraordinary lengths to quickly develop and approve this SFAR, enabling pilots and operators to remain in compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations while maintaining the safety and efficiency of US airspace.”


The FAA has submitted the SFAR, Relief for Certain Persons and Operations during the COVID-19 outbreak, to the Federal Register for publication. SFARs pertaining to airspace are


typically temporary rules to address


temporary situations. They are generally not used to replace or enforce regulations that are to remain in effect for many years.


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