“No Announcements” on Future Lynx Programme: Taylor
The government yesterday gave little away concerning the Future Lynx programme – a project which, as far as some analysts are concerned, could fade away as defence spending diminishes.
Farnborough Airshow
The Farnborough Airshow – a biannual event showcasing the very latest in new military and civil aerospace technology – is presently in full swing. Present at it on Tuesday July 15th was Minister for Defence Procurement, Baroness Taylor – there to launch a raft of new weapons programmes.
Quizzed by members of the press on the issue of the Future Lynx, Baroness Taylor declined to comment.
Future Lynx Project
A little over two years ago, the MoD awarded Westland – the British manufacturer of the Lynx helicopter – a contract worth £1bn for the development of 70 Future Lynxes in collaboration with AgustaWestland.
The new helicopter is intended to serve with both the Royal Navy and the British Army – both of which operate versions of the helicopter which, featuring wheels (Navy) or skids (Army), are optimised for the operational environments they work in.
Future Lynx will incorporate new technology into the basic airframe, together with more powerful engines. Its first flight is expected to occur next year, with the first examples to enter British military service two years after that.
Future Lynx’s construction started in October last year.
Navy, Army Lynxes
The Lynx equips Navies around the world. The type has been in Royal Navy/ British Army service for around 30 years, performing roles such as battlefield reconnaissance (Army) and anti-submarine warfare (Navy).
Once in service, Future Lynx is expected to remain so for three decades.
However, many are now questioning whether, given the MoD’s financial situation, the Future Lynx project will still run along its intended rails.
Taylor, yesterday, referred to the programme solely within the context of other MoD projects.
"Like most of our big programmes, it's part of an examination of our equipment and we have no announcements to make on that yet", she said.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert
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