Westland will offer to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) an LHTEC T800-powered variant of its Super Lynx shipborne helicopter. If successful, the bid would, in effect, launch what amounts to a mid-life upgrade for the Lynx.
Diplomatic sources say that they expect Westland to submit an LHTEC T800-based bid for the RAN's requirement for a helicopter, which would be used in its new frigate programme.
Westland has been studying long-term upgrade plans for the Lynx, having effectively discarded the idea of developing a new airframe in this class of helicopter for the foreseeable future.
The UK Ministry of Defence is also beginning to examine its future upgrade options for the Lynx, which is in service with the British Army Air Corps and the Royal Navy.
Replacing the Lynx's Rolls-Royce Gem 42s, with the LHTEC T800, would provide performance improvements and lifecycle cost reductions. The RAN, says one diplomatic source, is interested in the T800 because of the "hot-and-high" performance improvements it offers.
Westland is competing with Kaman (offering the SH-2G SeaSprite); Eurocopter (offering the AS.565 Panther); and Sikorsky (with its S-76). The RAN requires up to 23 helicopters.
The UK helicopter manufacturer is believed already to have asked many of its major subcontractors, such as GEC and British Aerospace, what is on offer in terms of upgrading or replacing existing systems on the Lynx (Flight International, 21-27 June).
Westland's eventual aim would be to provide an upgrade package for Lynx operators, which would see the helicopters remain in service beyond 2020, while also keeping the Lynx competitive in the new-build market.
Source: Flight International