There are two marks of Lynx in service with 815 NAS, the Mk 8 and Mk 3. Both are based on the same airframe, with a Maximum All up Mass of around 5000kgs. The main difference is in the avionics and communications fit. The Mk 8 is a significant improvement over the Mk 3. It is equipped with a computerised Central Tactical System (CTS) which allows the crew to manage highly complex tactical situations; and a Passive Identification Device (PID) which is a long range infra red camera. Both aircraft can be armed with Sea Skua anti ship missiles, depth charges and Stingray torpedoes, for conventional warfare, but in recent time the role of the aircraft has started to shift, with tasking taking the Maritime Lynx over land much more frequently. To this end there have been some changes to the aircraft required, such as the introduction of Night Vision Goggles, allowing crews greater capability over both sea and land at night. The M3M 0.5” Machine Gun is another recent addition and complements the already superb Lynx arsenal. With this increase in overland operations, the aircraft is being placed in a more hostile environment than previously and a Defensive Aids Suite has been fitted, allowing the Aircraft to detect and defeat IR missiles.
The flexibility and adaptibility of the Maritime Lynx and it’s operators is key to it’s success. The variety of roles it is used for is astonishing; from conventional Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine warfare to Loadlifting, Search and Rescue and interdiction of drugs runners. Other roles in which the Lynx is used include Counter Terrorism, and increasingly operations over the land such as Reconnaisance and Troop Insertion. In short the Maritime Lynx is one of the most adaptable and versatile military helicopters in the world.
Looking to the future, the Lynx is currently being updated to the “Saturn” fit, which includes an update to the Avionics and Communications fit, and in the longer term, the Squadron’s Mk 3 and 8 aircraft will be replaced by Future Lynx.
I am a little surprised that the headline was "Wildcat" on the loose. The wildcat is not due into service for a few years yet