(Source: Agusta Westland; issued Sept. 10, 2004)
YEOVIL, England --- In a ceremony today at AgustaWestlands Yeovil
plant, the first Super Lynx 300 was handed over to the Royal Thai
Navy by Alan Johnston, Managing Director, Westland Helicopters Ltd.
Accepting the aircraft on behalf of the Royal Thai Navy were
Captain Taweesak Deerod of the Royal Thai Navy and Captain Pavit
Rujites, Defence and Naval Attaché from the Royal Thai Embassy,
London.
Speaking at the event Alan Johnston said We are delighted to hand
over the first Super Lynx 300 to the Royal Thai Navy marking the
next stage towards the aircraft entering operational service. The
exceptional performance, ship operating capabilities and multi-role
versatility which have made Super Lynx 300 the worlds best light
naval helicopter, will provide the Royal Thai Navy with a new
capability in maritime operations.
The Royal Thai Navy ordered new generation Super Lynx 300 naval
helicopters in late 2001 and they will be operated from their
frigates performing anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare,
SAR and maritime surveillance roles. The Super Lynx 300 helicopters
will initially remain at the AgustaWestland plant in Yeovil, while
pilots and maintainers are trained. The aircraft will then be
delivered to Thailand in late 2004 and enter service with the Royal
Thai Navy in early 2005.
The Super Lynx 300 is powered by two Full Authority Digital Engine
Control (FADEC) equipped LHTEC CTS800-4N engines each rated at
1,361 shp (1015 kW) for take-off. The cockpit has a fully
integrated flight and mission display system that comprises four
LCD Integrated Display Units (IDUs), two Electronic Power System
Instrument (EPSI) displays and dual control and display
units.
The Royal Thai Navy will become the second operator of the Super
Lynx 300 in Asia and the third customer to start operations
worldwide. Super Lynx 300s are already in service with the Royal
Malaysian Navy and the Royal Air Force of Oman. The South African
National Defence Force has also ordered Super Lynx 300 helicopters
to operate from their Valour Class frigates.
AgustaWestland is one of the largest helicopter companies in the
world. The company offers an unrivaled range of helicopters
designed to satisfy the most diverse requirements of civil and
military customers. Committed to delivering outstanding products
and services, AgustaWestland is capable of supporting wide-ranging
missions in globally competitive markets. AgustaWestland has its
primary operations in Cascina Costa, Italy, and Yeovil, United
Kingdom. AgustaWestland has two subsidiaries in the USA:
AgustaWestland Inc located in Arlington, Virginia and Agusta
Aerospace Corporation located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where
helicopters are assembled and customized for the US market