Maiden Flight of first Navy Wildcat helicopter

The first Wildcat Attack Helicopter to be delivered to the Royal Navy has successfully taken its first flight at Yeovil in Somerset, the MoD announced today (Monday).

Pictures show the new helicopter’s inaugural flight. The Wildcat has a more powerful engine allowing it to be flown in extreme conditions all year round. It is also equipped with a more robust fuselage, a high tech interactive display and a new radar system that provides 360 degree surveillance.

Wildcat HMA Mk2 will carry Sting Ray torpedoes, a door-mounted 0.5 inch heavy machine gun and new light and heavy variants of the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon Missiles.

Expected to perform a range of tasks once in-service, the Maritime Wildcat Attack Helicopter will be used in anti-surface warfare, force protection and counter-piracy. It will also be able to carry out an anti-submarine role.

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, said:

“As a ship-borne helicopter, Wildcat will provide Commanders with a flexible attack capability which can be deployed to tackle a range of threats at sea and from the sea. With state of the art sensors, equipment and weapons, it will be an outstanding asset that will maintain Royal Naval units at the cutting edge of worldwide maritime operations.”

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, said:

“The new maritime Wildcat Attack Helicopter is an excellent addition to the Royal Navy’s arsenal, providing it with greater firepower and a range of technological enhancements. The support and training contract with AgustaWestland is also good news for the local economy inSomerset, securing 500 highly skilled jobs in the Defence sector.”

The Ministry of Defence signed a £250m contract with Agusta Westland last year to provide support and training for the Royal Navy and British Army’s 62 strong fleet of Wildcat Helicopters. The Royal Navy will receive 28 maritime attack variant helicopters, which will begin operations across the globe from 2015 and replace the existing Lynx Mark 8. The contract is sustaining 500 skilled jobs in the Somerset area.