Douglas Barrie/LONDON
WESTLAND IS developing an advanced variant of its Lynx maritime helicopter, the Super Lynx Series 300, fitted with a "glass" cockpit, digital avionics and the LHTEC CTS800 engine.
The Super Lynx 300 is complemented by the Super Lynx Series 100 and 200. The Series 100 equates to the South Korean Super Lynx, and the aircraft is fitted with the Rolls-Royce Gem 42-1 engine and a conventional cockpit.
The Super Lynx Series 200 will have the Gem 42-1s replaced by the LHTEC CTS800, although the aircraft will retain a conventional cockpit layout. The CTS800 will provide the Super Lynx with up to 30% more power than does the Gem, offering improved hot and high performance.
Westland is offering Super Lynx variants in competitions in Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand is looking at R-R and LHTEC-powered options, while the Royal Australian Navy is likely to opt for what is effectively the Super Lynx 300 if the UK firm wins the competition. The developments are aimed at keeping the Lynx in production beyond 2015.
The inclusion of the CTS800 on the Series 200 and 300 aircraft will require some airframe modifications: new cowlings, aft fairings and engine intakes, along with a new engine installation.
The Series 300 cockpit draws heavily on that the Westland/Agusta EH101 Merlin. The architecture is built around 1553B and ARINC 429 databuses serving six flat-panel displays. Along with the engine and cockpit upgrades, Westland is considering a variety of new mission systems for the Super Lynx family.
These upgrades are likely to include the GEC-Marconi Blue Kestrel 6500 and Elta 2022 radars, together with electronic-warfare equipment from GEC-Marconi, Loral and Electronica.
The Series 100 and 200 cockpits remain relatively unchanged, although on the LHTEC-powered Series 200, two flat-panel displays replace the conventional engine displays.
Source: Flight International
