Westland Lynx (Merged threads)
Join Date: May 2004
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Just for information there are nations outside GB who is going to fly LYNX for some years to come ie with the old servo!!
This malfunction being one off the rear ones we should try to gain the most off it
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Adelaide
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The incident signal was circulated around the Lynx fleet within British forces, I am afraid that I don't have one to hand but it does not really shed much more light on the matter.
Lynx at 1000' over the Lee valley waiting to enter the heli lanes and initiating a right hand turn to orbit whilst waiting for clearnace from Thames Radar. LHS was minding his own business lokoing at the maps for the next lane. When he noticed that the AOB was exceeding 40 degrees or so he looked towards the RHS as if to say 'cut that out!', or words to that effect! It was then that the RHS declared a hydraulics malfunction and LHS immediately de-selected the Hyd 1. Recovery was not an instantaneous jerk but a gradual one. Height loss was 300', AOB was in excess of 70 degrees and it had turned through 180 degrees.
Urgency declared and recovered to nearby Stapleford due to built up areas and nature of terrain.
The cyclic was continuing to ramp over to the right and the RHS insists that there was absolutely nothing that he could do about it, despite his best efforts!
The investigation was delayed for a few months as it went straight to Fairoaks for a mod. Cause was not identified although the servos were replaced with Faireys.
All good stuff. There is one thing you can guarantee with the widow maker, it will keep you on your toes!
Lynx at 1000' over the Lee valley waiting to enter the heli lanes and initiating a right hand turn to orbit whilst waiting for clearnace from Thames Radar. LHS was minding his own business lokoing at the maps for the next lane. When he noticed that the AOB was exceeding 40 degrees or so he looked towards the RHS as if to say 'cut that out!', or words to that effect! It was then that the RHS declared a hydraulics malfunction and LHS immediately de-selected the Hyd 1. Recovery was not an instantaneous jerk but a gradual one. Height loss was 300', AOB was in excess of 70 degrees and it had turned through 180 degrees.
Urgency declared and recovered to nearby Stapleford due to built up areas and nature of terrain.
The cyclic was continuing to ramp over to the right and the RHS insists that there was absolutely nothing that he could do about it, despite his best efforts!
The investigation was delayed for a few months as it went straight to Fairoaks for a mod. Cause was not identified although the servos were replaced with Faireys.
All good stuff. There is one thing you can guarantee with the widow maker, it will keep you on your toes!
The new servos are all very well. You can "break" through the restriction and regain control. However, you have no idea which is the faulty hydraulic system, and the same thing can happen again at any time. 
Join Date: Jun 2002
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The choice of helicopter should be based on the suitability of the chosen helicopter for the role required and NOT on the fact that a manufacturer will lose business and employees. Politics suck!
Join Date: Dec 2000
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Seems they feel the Government owes it to them to place the order with them
Perhaps if they developed and produced something decent instead of relying on Government handouts they would get orders from overseas.
Procure the best kit for the job - after all we are about addressing a capability gap - if that happens to be the Future Lynx then good for them, if not, tough. We should not have to subsidise the economy or parliament seats to the detriment of capability.
Just my personal opinion.
But hey, guess what will happen?
... what always does
Perhaps if they developed and produced something decent instead of relying on Government handouts they would get orders from overseas.
Procure the best kit for the job - after all we are about addressing a capability gap - if that happens to be the Future Lynx then good for them, if not, tough. We should not have to subsidise the economy or parliament seats to the detriment of capability.
Just my personal opinion.
But hey, guess what will happen?
... what always does
Join Date: May 2004
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Agreed, It is with jaded certainty I believe BLUH will end up as FLynx, The same old Air Frame produced more cheaply, erm, efficiently, with a few new bits bolted into it -Army style which may or may not improve on a capable but aged formula.
option 2? bring the warstock scouts back lets all save a few quid hell they have rested long enough probably good as new by now.
Option 3? Well absolutely do not go for anything new that we haven't tested in battle ourselves, that would be progress and could cost jobs, erm lives.
Same old same old keep serving it up.
Small chink of light; might wastelands license build BlackHawk for Lizzie?
naa, stop getting carried away Thundy.
option 2? bring the warstock scouts back lets all save a few quid hell they have rested long enough probably good as new by now.
Option 3? Well absolutely do not go for anything new that we haven't tested in battle ourselves, that would be progress and could cost jobs, erm lives.
Same old same old keep serving it up.
Small chink of light; might wastelands license build BlackHawk for Lizzie?
naa, stop getting carried away Thundy.
Join Date: Jun 2002
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A10, now you're talking my language.......bring back the Scout. I'm sure that with some upgrades the venerable old girl would last another 50 years or so. It really gets up my nose when the government places orders for equipment with Westlands just to bail them out, without consulting the people who will be the end-users.
I remember at Wallop, many years ago, when a team arrived from Westlands to ask us to list exactly what we wanted in a helicopter. We all said the usual "ergonomic seats", "glass dashboards", "side controllers", etc. etc.. What happened.............absolutely nothing!!
I hope that the replacement for the Lynx is not another Lynx.
I remember at Wallop, many years ago, when a team arrived from Westlands to ask us to list exactly what we wanted in a helicopter. We all said the usual "ergonomic seats", "glass dashboards", "side controllers", etc. etc.. What happened.............absolutely nothing!!
I hope that the replacement for the Lynx is not another Lynx.
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Kenny
As far as helicopter procurement and politics is concerned nothings changed since you wisely left these shores, but it's good to see that you still have a grasp on reality from way over there!
Merry Christmas you old Scout dog and remember, no underpants!
Gunz
As far as helicopter procurement and politics is concerned nothings changed since you wisely left these shores, but it's good to see that you still have a grasp on reality from way over there!
Merry Christmas you old Scout dog and remember, no underpants!
Gunz
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Opps
Sorry to burst ya bubble. BLUH and SCMR have not been binned. They are both still on track only with different names. Due to cost cutting they have now become F.Lynx - the project is still the same....same money, same team, same peiople, same plan to replace the Lynx (with another Lynx?) but whatever replaces the Lynx the project is still there.
Join Date: Oct 2000
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The Bell Eagle Eye UAV being bought by the US Coast Guard as part of their Deepwater Programme should do the job nicely!
http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system.htm
http://www.uscg.mil/deepwater/system.htm
SCMR has not been binned.
BLUH may change to become BRH (Battlefield Recce Helicopter) but the requirement has not been binned.
Future Lynx is NOT the same airframe as existing Lynx (any Mk, inc SL 300). Future Lynx carries almost a tonne more payload than any current Lynx, has new primary structure, new engines, new tail rotor, new avionics, new sensors, new comms, new nav kit, new glass cockpit etc etc. It does use the existing BERP III MRB and existing (but uprated) gearbox though..........
Either BRH or SCMR MAY be met by Future Lynx (or may not).
PS: I don't work for a certain West Country rotorcraft manufacturer either......................
BLUH may change to become BRH (Battlefield Recce Helicopter) but the requirement has not been binned.
Future Lynx is NOT the same airframe as existing Lynx (any Mk, inc SL 300). Future Lynx carries almost a tonne more payload than any current Lynx, has new primary structure, new engines, new tail rotor, new avionics, new sensors, new comms, new nav kit, new glass cockpit etc etc. It does use the existing BERP III MRB and existing (but uprated) gearbox though..........
Either BRH or SCMR MAY be met by Future Lynx (or may not).
PS: I don't work for a certain West Country rotorcraft manufacturer either......................
Join Date: Jun 2002
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gutted
From what i have learned this week the requirement for a new "utility" aircraft for the AAC is confirmed as the FLYNX. I think the main issue that contributors should consider is that Apache Longbow is awesome for generic war fighting however there is now more requirement for an aircraft to operate in Operations Other than War. This is more likely to be an asset with better surveillance capability i.e. better recordable IR and day camera video downlink, 360 degree azimuth. I don't believe the FLYNX delivers this requirement though I understand it's FLYNX or nothing.
The whole issue is disapointing though predictable.
The whole issue is disapointing though predictable.
"From what i have learned this week the requirement for a new "utility" aircraft for the AAC is confirmed as the FLYNX"
Not yet it isn't.
The decision won't be made for a short while yet, although I know that DAAvn is still pushing the "utility" requirement. The situation at present is that the requirement that was BLUH until a few months ago has been effectively changed to BRH; essentially the "utility" requirement has been removed.
Should one of the BRH contenders offer some lift capability, then that's a bonus, but it isn't in the requirement.
Not yet it isn't.
The decision won't be made for a short while yet, although I know that DAAvn is still pushing the "utility" requirement. The situation at present is that the requirement that was BLUH until a few months ago has been effectively changed to BRH; essentially the "utility" requirement has been removed.
Should one of the BRH contenders offer some lift capability, then that's a bonus, but it isn't in the requirement.