Saturn Lynx Over The Moon With Missile Firings
The first live firings from the Lynx Mk 8 Saturn Radio Upgrade 3 took place recently at the QinetiQ ranges at Aberporth, West Wales.
Trial Aftershock 5 successfully demonstrated the continued potent combination of the Lynx aircraft and the Sea Skua missile.
Based at RNAS Yeovilton, the Royal Navy’s latest mark of helicopter the Lynx Mark 8 Saturn Radio Upgrade (SRU) entered Front Line service with 815 Naval Air Squadron earlier this year. This next generation of Lynx Helicopter Maritime Attack Mark 8 sees a considerable enhancement of the communications system, a new Successor IFF, avionics upgrades and improved mission computers.
The Sea Skua missile is a semi-active sea skimming anti-ship missile that entered service in 1982 for the Falklands War and was modified to bring new capability for Gulf War 1. The missile was employed in both conflicts achieving mission success and earning the title ‘Combat Proven’.
Trial Aftershock 5 firings took place very close to the maximum range of the missile and included the first ever ‘ripple 3’ firing, 3 missile from one aircraft. The results were very successful with the target peppered with holes. This has also given exposure to missile firings to a new generation of Lynx aircrew, and valuable live missile loading experience to a large team of Lynx maintainers.
Speaking after the trial Lt Cdr Shaun Enever, the Lynx Force Warfare Officer said, “Trial Aftershock 5 has demonstrated the potent combination of Lynx and Sea Skua as an anti-ship capability. The opportunity to get missiles away and give experience to relatively junior crews will ensure the corporate knowledge remains within the Lynx Helicopter Force for the remaining life of the Sea Skua before the next generation of weapon enters service with Wildcat.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
