Wildcat update

I think it came up the last time that AW149 was discussed that if UK ordered the AW149 that some sort of agreement would be made that they be built in Yeovil (or at the very least assembled there) but I do not remember if this was backed up by anything concrete.

While I agree that the poster on PRRUNE Military was likely wishing out loud, I do wonder if there is something to his logic (though I doubt very much we will ever operate tilt rotor aircraft as they cost a fortune to operate).

I would imagine that by the end the decade we would be looking at an additional helicopter purchase, simply because successive Governments have ensured that Westland’s and now AugustaWestland have a fairly steady stream of work, and once the Wildcat programme is completed and they have navalised and upgrade Merlin’s the only thing on the horizon is support and training contracts.

Still the AW149 is a rather illogical choice as unless agreement was found the work would be carried out in Italy and therefore provides little benefit to Yeovil.

Dosen’t AW Yeovil have an agreement to build the the AW149 should it get orders ?

So yes i wouldn’t be surprised to see an order for AW at the completion of the Woldcat construction and probably something to replace the Puma. Of course they may order more Merlins HC4s during their conversion and transfer to RN control as a stop gap measure.

Wow, really? Sounds very much like a wish list, a pie in the sky one at that.

While I agree that the poster on PRRUNE Military was likely wishing out loud, I do wonder if there is something to his logic (though I doubt very much we will ever operate tilt rotor aircraft as they cost a fortune to operate).

I would imagine that by the end the decade we would be looking at an additional helicopter purchase, simply because successive Governments have ensured that Westland’s and now AugustaWestland have a fairly steady stream of work, and once the Wildcat programme is completed and they have navalised and upgrade Merlin’s the only thing on the horizon is support and training contracts.

Still the AW149 is a rather illogical choice as unless agreement was found the work would be carried out in Italy and therefore provides little benefit to Yeovil.

Indeed.

The Puma life extension is supposed to give ’em another 10 or 12 years, after which we’ll be a bit short of helicopters unless we buy something. AW149 might be a reasonable choice for a utility helicopter. But I’m sure no decisions have been taken, & any planning would depend on money.

Ah. Found it. Hmm. As well as stating what I’m sure is speculation about AW149 as fact, he reckons we’ll order V-22 to replace the oldest Chinooks & Merlins, & a stretched AW609. I’ll believe it when I see it. I see that other posters there express scepticism.

Wow, really? Sounds very much like a wish list, a pie in the sky one at that.

I wonder if when the MoD publishes the new rotary strategy later this year they might plan on reducing the number of Wild Cat’s for the Army and plan on the AAC buying a larger utility helicopter with the savings from a reduced Wild Cat purchase? For example on PPRUNE Military in the Save the Puma thread one poster categorically stated (with zero proof so likely he was wrong) that AAC will get the AW149 in the next ten years.

The Puma life extension is supposed to give ’em another 10 or 12 years, after which we’ll be a bit short of helicopters unless we buy something. AW149 might be a reasonable choice for a utility helicopter. But I’m sure no decisions have been taken, & any planning would depend on money.

Ah. Found it. Hmm. As well as stating what I’m sure is speculation about AW149 as fact, he reckons we’ll order V-22 to replace the oldest Chinooks & Merlins, & a stretched AW609. I’ll believe it when I see it. I see that other posters there express scepticism.

The plan is now for 28 HMA for Navy; 30 Army Helicopter (AH) and 8 Light Assault Helicopter (LAH).

They original plan was for 34 AH, so they actually plan an increase of 4.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111214/text/111214w0002.htm

I wonder if when the MoD publishes the new rotary strategy later this year they might plan on reducing the number of Wild Cat’s for the Army and plan on the AAC buying a larger utility helicopter with the savings from a reduced Wild Cat purchase? For example on PPRUNE Military in the Save the Puma thread one poster categorically stated (with zero proof so likely he was wrong) that AAC will get the AW149 in the next ten years.

You can fit two Wildcats on a Type 45.

Yes, navies & armies like larger helicopters – and they also like smaller ones. Look at some of the military helicopters which are being bought. There’s a range from significantly smaller than the Wildcat up to very much larger.

I would have thought the Seahawk / Blackhawk would have been more desirable with its better payload etc and we would have some commonality with other nations or an aircraft based on the AW139 or AW149 if we want Agustawestland in the UK involved.
Apart from the Wildcat been ugly I feel that naval and army operators prefer larger helicopters and the potential for export orders is limited.

It will also do things which Merlin is not currently capable of & is not scheduled to be made capable of, such as firing Sea Skua (or its replacement) & LMM. There is an argument that it isn’t a good idea to put a big (easier target) & very expensive Merlin close enough to an enemy on the surface to fire LMM.

Wildcat is a better bet for chasing pirates, plinking FACs, etc. If we wanted to do those roles with Merlin, we’d have to buy more of them. It will also be possible to put it on smaller vessels, e.g. any future heli-deck equipped OPVs. And with a bit of luck, there’ll be some export sales to countries looking for a helicopter in that class.

But it is a darn sight cheaper putting Lynx/Wildcat on the Frigate/Destroyer fleet. Also Sea King/Merlin were too big for the Type 42, it is an adequate solution for the role it is intended for which is jack of all trades! Lynx can provide over the horizon targeting and can drop Stingray on a target designated by the Frigate…

this from Janes:

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065932132&channel=defence&subChannel=air

This project seems to be progressing very well, but i get the sense that its not that popular in some quarters. Why is this?

Its considered to be too small compared to a Seahawk or NH90 NFH, especially since RN escorts have the hanger space for a Merlin.

According to the article the British Army only plans to use a recon version of the wildcat, which leaves me wondering what their plans for a LUH are :confused:

Just as well I didn’t put this in the “Army Aviation” section then eh?!

Is there no requirement for the Army to have a helo like this or would they just rather go the Swedish route and get Blackhawks?

There is a strong belief that whilst its excellent for the navy it is of no bloody use to the army especially now that its limited even further in pax capabillity.

It has to be said though that the Lynx has allways been subject to this opinion