Apache
Apache: Designed to hunt and destroy tanks, the Apache attack helicopter has significantly improved the Army's operational capability.
Apache can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds. It carries a mix of weapons including rockets, Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain gun
Apache can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds. It carries a mix of weapons including rockets, Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain gun
Lynx
Lynx: Versions in service with the Army Air Corps - include Mk 7 (skids) and Mk 9 (wheeled undercarriage). The Lynx still holds the helicopter world speed record, and thanks to its semi-rigid titanium rotor head it is also superbly manoeuvrable. This makes it the centrepiece of Army Aviation display flying
Upgrades to Mk9A standard Lynx deliver more powerful engines, strengthened airframes, increased firepower and more advanced instruments and electronics, improving the helicopter's performance in the extreme conditions of Afghanistan.
It is fitted with a more advanced communication system, improved surveillance equipment and the M3M Machine Gun - a 0.50" calibre weapon, capable of firing over 850 rounds a minute.
Twelve upgraded Lynx Mk9A deployed in May 2010.
In Service Date: 1978
Maximum All Up Mass: 4875kg (Mk 7), 5125 kg (Mk 9)
Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce GEM
Crew: 2 (3 with door gunner) + 9 Troops
Length: 50ft 1 inch Main Rotor Diameter: 42 ft
Height: 12 ft 5 inches
Maximum Speed: 160 knots
Range: 280 NM
Armament: 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun (if fitted)
Upgrades to Mk9A standard Lynx deliver more powerful engines, strengthened airframes, increased firepower and more advanced instruments and electronics, improving the helicopter's performance in the extreme conditions of Afghanistan.
It is fitted with a more advanced communication system, improved surveillance equipment and the M3M Machine Gun - a 0.50" calibre weapon, capable of firing over 850 rounds a minute.
Twelve upgraded Lynx Mk9A deployed in May 2010.
In Service Date: 1978
Maximum All Up Mass: 4875kg (Mk 7), 5125 kg (Mk 9)
Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce GEM
Crew: 2 (3 with door gunner) + 9 Troops
Length: 50ft 1 inch Main Rotor Diameter: 42 ft
Height: 12 ft 5 inches
Maximum Speed: 160 knots
Range: 280 NM
Armament: 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun (if fitted)
Gazelle
Gazelle: The primary role of Gazelle is observation and reconnaissance.
The Gazelle was first produced in 1968 under an Anglo-French agreement between Westlands and Aerospatiale. The Gazelle fondly referred to as the "whistling chicken leg" has proved an incredibly reliable observation and reconnaissance helicopter for many years. Although having only one engine it is not as powerful as many others, but its lightweight chassis offsets any deficit it might have. Advantages include its small agile nature, and its unparalleled visibility from the cockpit.
In Service Date: 1973 All Up Mass: 1900kg Engines: 1 x Turbomeca Astazou III N2 592 shp Crew: 1 or 2 + 3 Passengers Length: 12m Main Rotor Diameter: 10.5m Height: 3.2m Maximum Speed: 168 knots Range: 250 NM
The Gazelle was first produced in 1968 under an Anglo-French agreement between Westlands and Aerospatiale. The Gazelle fondly referred to as the "whistling chicken leg" has proved an incredibly reliable observation and reconnaissance helicopter for many years. Although having only one engine it is not as powerful as many others, but its lightweight chassis offsets any deficit it might have. Advantages include its small agile nature, and its unparalleled visibility from the cockpit.
In Service Date: 1973 All Up Mass: 1900kg Engines: 1 x Turbomeca Astazou III N2 592 shp Crew: 1 or 2 + 3 Passengers Length: 12m Main Rotor Diameter: 10.5m Height: 3.2m Maximum Speed: 168 knots Range: 250 NM
Squirrel
Squirrel: The Squirrel is the basic training helicopter for the Army Air Corps.
A variant of the AS350 Ecureuil civil helicopter. The relatively modern Squirrel is the training helicopter of choice for both the Defence Helicopter Flying School and the Operational Training Phase of flying at Middle Wallop. This single engine aircraft makes the perfect platform for instructing all the differing flying techniques required of brand new pilots.
In Service Date: Mid 1990s
Gross Weight: 4630 lbs/2100 kg
Engines: 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 Free
Turbine Crew: 1 or 2 + 4 passengers Length: 42 ft Main Rotor Diameter: 35 ft Height: 10.3ft Maximum Speed: 155 Knots Range: 300 NM
A variant of the AS350 Ecureuil civil helicopter. The relatively modern Squirrel is the training helicopter of choice for both the Defence Helicopter Flying School and the Operational Training Phase of flying at Middle Wallop. This single engine aircraft makes the perfect platform for instructing all the differing flying techniques required of brand new pilots.
In Service Date: Mid 1990s
Gross Weight: 4630 lbs/2100 kg
Engines: 1 x Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 Free
Turbine Crew: 1 or 2 + 4 passengers Length: 42 ft Main Rotor Diameter: 35 ft Height: 10.3ft Maximum Speed: 155 Knots Range: 300 NM
Bell 212
Bell 212 : The Bell 212 is used by the Army Air Corps in the jungle areas of Belize and Brunei.
The Bell 212 HP AH Mk1 derives from the Bell 205, the Huey UH-1. The Bell 212 HP AH Mk1 was born by adding another engine to the single engine Huey, but retains the original teetering rotor system. Army Aviation operates a handful of Bell 212 helicopters, whose unique abilities include flying in hot and often humid conditions whilst also being able to carry considerable loads. A winch on the side of the aircraft also enables medical evacuation in otherwise difficult terrain. Consequently the Bell 212 is currently employed in predominantly jungle areas where its performance is a great advantage.
In Service Date: 1994
Maximum All Up Mass: 11,200 lbs Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney PT6T-3B of 1800 shp C
rew: 2 + 13 Passengers Length: 57 ft
Main Rotor Diameter: 48 ft Height: 14 ft
Maximum Speed: 130 Knots
Range: 250 NM
Specialist Equipment: Winch, Underslung Bucket (for extinguishing fires)
The Bell 212 HP AH Mk1 derives from the Bell 205, the Huey UH-1. The Bell 212 HP AH Mk1 was born by adding another engine to the single engine Huey, but retains the original teetering rotor system. Army Aviation operates a handful of Bell 212 helicopters, whose unique abilities include flying in hot and often humid conditions whilst also being able to carry considerable loads. A winch on the side of the aircraft also enables medical evacuation in otherwise difficult terrain. Consequently the Bell 212 is currently employed in predominantly jungle areas where its performance is a great advantage.
In Service Date: 1994
Maximum All Up Mass: 11,200 lbs Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney PT6T-3B of 1800 shp C
rew: 2 + 13 Passengers Length: 57 ft
Main Rotor Diameter: 48 ft Height: 14 ft
Maximum Speed: 130 Knots
Range: 250 NM
Specialist Equipment: Winch, Underslung Bucket (for extinguishing fires)
Defender
Defender: The Defender is the latest version of the Islander twin turboprop aircraft and is used in a variety of roles.
The Britten-Norman Islander, and later the Defender upgraded version of the aircraft, was introduced into service as a replacement for the ageing Beaver. It is one of two types of fixed-wing aircraft operated by the Army Air Corps. It is usually employed in a surveillance capacity, however it also has a limited use in transporting personnel. This aircraft has been extensively used in Northern Ireland. Other roles include air photography, airborne command post and liaison flying. Notably it contains a full Instrument Flying Procedural and Navigation fit.
In Service Date: 10 Mar 1989
Gross Weight: 7,000 lbs
Engines: 2 x Allison 250 turbo props
Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Crewman + 6 Passengers Length: 10.93m
Wingspan: 14.93m
Height: 4.2m Maximum
Speed: 196 Knots Range: 380 NM
The Britten-Norman Islander, and later the Defender upgraded version of the aircraft, was introduced into service as a replacement for the ageing Beaver. It is one of two types of fixed-wing aircraft operated by the Army Air Corps. It is usually employed in a surveillance capacity, however it also has a limited use in transporting personnel. This aircraft has been extensively used in Northern Ireland. Other roles include air photography, airborne command post and liaison flying. Notably it contains a full Instrument Flying Procedural and Navigation fit.
In Service Date: 10 Mar 1989
Gross Weight: 7,000 lbs
Engines: 2 x Allison 250 turbo props
Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Crewman + 6 Passengers Length: 10.93m
Wingspan: 14.93m
Height: 4.2m Maximum
Speed: 196 Knots Range: 380 NM
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Desert Hawk Desert Hawk is an extremely versatile and small Unmanned Aerial System designed for discrete operations.
It is operated normally at the company level but is equally well employed above and below this. It has an extremely good record proven over the last year and is currently supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan. It provides an excellent 'over the hill' view for commanders on the ground.
Watchkeeper Watchkeeper will be the new tactical Unmanned Aerial System for the British Army. It comes into service in 2010.
The production Watchkeeper air system will include the following features:
It is operated normally at the company level but is equally well employed above and below this. It has an extremely good record proven over the last year and is currently supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan. It provides an excellent 'over the hill' view for commanders on the ground.
Watchkeeper Watchkeeper will be the new tactical Unmanned Aerial System for the British Army. It comes into service in 2010.
The production Watchkeeper air system will include the following features:
- Dual-payload configuration
- Flexible, all-weather operation with de-icing capability
- Improved access to sub-systems for easier maintenance
- Automatic takeoff and landing
Wildcat AH Mk1
Wildcat AH Mk1: Future Lynx becomes Wildcat
The aircraft that will replace the Lynx is now to be known as the Wildcat. The Wildcat programme will deliver a fleet of 62 new light helicopters for the Army and Royal Navy from 2014 and 2015 respectively
The Army variant of Wildcat will perform a range of tasks on the battlefield including reconnaissance, command and control, transportation of troops and material, and the provision of force protection. With the new Rolls-Royce CTS800-4N engines it will be significantly more powerful than the current Lynx enabling it to operate in extreme hot conditions and high altitudes.
The aircraft will have a high degree of commonality and will be able to switch between Army and Royal Navy roles, principally through the changing of role equipment. Their capability will be a significant advance on that provided in both Iraq and Afghanistan by the current Lynx fleet.
The procurement of the Rolls Royce CTS800-4N engine will also be extended to the existing Lynx Mk9; due to be refitted from 2009 to 2010. The CTS800 Mk 9 (known as the Mk9A) will provide better performance and a much improved light multi role capability in Afghanistan given the extreme environmental conditions.
The name Wildcat recalls the name given to the Grumman F4F which was widely used during the Second World War. The aircraft ceased operational service in 1945 but some flying aircraft remain, including one in the collection of the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
The aircraft that will replace the Lynx is now to be known as the Wildcat. The Wildcat programme will deliver a fleet of 62 new light helicopters for the Army and Royal Navy from 2014 and 2015 respectively
The Army variant of Wildcat will perform a range of tasks on the battlefield including reconnaissance, command and control, transportation of troops and material, and the provision of force protection. With the new Rolls-Royce CTS800-4N engines it will be significantly more powerful than the current Lynx enabling it to operate in extreme hot conditions and high altitudes.
The aircraft will have a high degree of commonality and will be able to switch between Army and Royal Navy roles, principally through the changing of role equipment. Their capability will be a significant advance on that provided in both Iraq and Afghanistan by the current Lynx fleet.
The procurement of the Rolls Royce CTS800-4N engine will also be extended to the existing Lynx Mk9; due to be refitted from 2009 to 2010. The CTS800 Mk 9 (known as the Mk9A) will provide better performance and a much improved light multi role capability in Afghanistan given the extreme environmental conditions.
The name Wildcat recalls the name given to the Grumman F4F which was widely used during the Second World War. The aircraft ceased operational service in 1945 but some flying aircraft remain, including one in the collection of the Imperial War Museum Duxford.