LYNX

Lynx aircraft are at sea with all frigates and destroyers, to provide anti-surface surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and anti-ship attack capabilities.

With the introduction into service of the first of the upgraded 44 x HAS 3, HMA 8 aircraft in late 1994, the Lynx in Royal Naval service has been turned from an anti-submarine helicopter into a dedicated maritime attack aircraft. Capable of carrying anti-submarine torpedoes (range 10km) and anti-ship Sea Skua missiles (range 20km), the HMA 8 is capable of integrating its navigational, communications and fighting systems through a 1553B data bus.

Typical combat mission profiles in the anti-submarine role could be a patrol out to 60 miles, a two-hour loiter in the search area carrying torpedoes and smoke markers etc and return.

They embark in their ship whenever it sails. Able to fire the Sea Skua anti-surface missile, which proved highly effective during the Gulf war, the Lynx forms an integral part of the ships detection and weapon system and can project the influence of a ship over great distances with the key element of surprise. In addition to the Sea Skua the Lynx has the Sting Ray torpedo and the older technology, but nevertheless most effective depth charge for anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft may also be fitted with a machine gun pod. The home base for all seaborne Lynx is the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.
 

Photo US Navy