WILDCAT

During January 2013 the first Wildcat delivered to the Royal Navy’s 702W Squadron made its maiden flight from RNAS Yeovilton. With a more powerful engine than its Lynx predecessor, a new radar system with 360 degree coverage, state of the art sensors and a more robust fuselage, the Wildcat will be capable of operating in more extreme weather conditions.

As a maritime attack helicopter, capable of a wide range of operational tasks including anti-submarine warfare, Wildcat will carry Sting Ray torpedoes and the light and heavy variants of the future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (Missiles). Direct fire capability will be provided by a door mounted .50 heavy machine gun and the aircraft can carry 6 x passengers.

The in-service date for the naval variant is January 2015.

The prime contractor for the Wildcat contract is Agusta Westland who have subcontracted elements of the project to other companies. The most recent estimate of the cost of the project is £1.644 billion.
 

Photo Agusta Westland