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Westland Lynx / AgustaWestland Wildcat

Westland · Utility / Transport Helicopter · UK · Cold War (1970–1991)

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The Westland Lynx and its successor the AgustaWestland Wildcat (now Leonardo Wildcat) form a family of British twin-engine, single-rotor military helicopters originally developed by Westland Helicopters. The Lynx first flew in 1971 and entered Royal Navy service in 1976, serving as the U.K.'s principal naval and battlefield-support helicopter for over four decades. The redesigned AgustaWestland Wildcat AH.1 (Army) and Wildcat HMA.2 (Royal Navy) entered British service in 2014, replacing earlier Lynx variants. As of 2026, more than 290 Lynx have been delivered to roughly 17 operators worldwide, and Wildcat production continues.

A typical Royal Navy Lynx Mk 88 measures 49 ft (15.0 m) long with a 42-ft (12.8 m) main rotor diameter. Empty weight is 6,150 lb and maximum take-off weight 11,300 lb. Power comes from two Rolls-Royce Gem 41-1 turboshafts rated at 1,135 shp each; the Lynx Mk 8 and Wildcat instead use the LHTEC CTS800-4N at 1,360 shp each. Maximum speed reaches 200 mph, combat radius is 270 nmi, and service ceiling is 12,000 ft. The cabin accommodates nine troops plus two crew, or 5,000 lb of internal cargo or sling load. Distinctive design features include a rigid main rotor — unusual for a medium helicopter, and a key contributor to agility — retractable landing gear on naval variants, anti-shipping missiles, dipping sonar and sonobuoys on ASW marks, and a glass cockpit on Wildcat and late Lynx aircraft.

Roles vary by mark. The Westland Lynx HAS.2 / HAS.3 / HMA.8 (Royal Navy) performed anti-submarine warfare from RN frigates and destroyers using Sea Skua and Sea Spear anti-ship missiles, Sting Ray torpedoes, and dipping sonar. The Lynx AH.1 / AH.7 / AH.9 (British Army) handled battlefield-support and armed-reconnaissance work, including limited TOW anti-tank carriage. The Wildcat HMA.2 (Royal Navy) carries upgraded sensors, anti-shipping weapons, and a new mission system, while the Wildcat AH.1 serves the British Army Air Corps in battlefield-support and reconnaissance roles. Foreign operators tailored Lynx variants to their own national requirements.

Lynx has seen continuous Royal Navy and British Army service from 1976 to the present. Highlights include the 1982 Falklands War, when RN Lynx HAS.2 conducted anti-shipping strikes with Sea Skua and disabled the Argentine submarine ARA Santa Fe alongside multiple Argentine surface ships; Operation Granby in the 1991 Gulf War, with both RN and Army Lynx; NATO operations through the 1990s; Operation Telic (Iraq War, 2003-2009); and Operation Herrick (Afghanistan, 2002-2014). Royal Navy Lynx HMA.8 retired in 2017, replaced by Wildcat HMA.2; British Army Lynx AH.7 retired in 2018, replaced by Wildcat AH.1. Total Lynx production exceeded 290 across all variants. Wildcat production continues at Leonardo's Yeovil, England facility, with around 62 delivered to date — 28 to the RN and 34 to the British Army — alongside export sales to the Republic of Korea Navy, the Philippines, and other operators.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Westland Lynx is a fast British military helicopter. It first flew in 1971 and entered service in 1977. The Lynx is special because it once set the world helicopter speed record, flying at 249 mph in 1986. That record stayed unbeaten for 20 years.

The Lynx has two Rolls-Royce Gem engines, each making 900 horsepower. It is 50 feet long with a 42-foot rotor. It can carry up to 10 troops, plus weapons under each wing including rockets, anti-tank missiles, and homing torpedoes. The army version uses skids; the navy version uses wheels for ship landings.

The British Army flew Lynx helicopters as scouts and anti-tank weapons. The Royal Navy flew the Lynx as a sub hunter and anti-ship attacker, launching from frigate decks. The Lynx fought in the Falklands War in 1982 and the 1991 Gulf War.

About 450 Lynx were built. Britain, France, Germany, Brazil, and several other countries flew them. The British Army retired its last Lynx in 2018, replaced by the AgustaWestland Wildcat, an updated Lynx.

Fun Facts

The Lynx set the world helicopter speed record in 1986 at 249 mph.
Special composite rotor blades helped the Lynx fly faster than other helicopters.
Some Lynx can do barrel rolls and loops, rare for a helicopter.
Royal Navy Lynx fly from frigates and destroyers at sea, with a folding tail to fit on small decks.
The Lynx fought in the Falklands War in 1982, sinking Argentine ships with Sea Skua missiles.
France, Germany, Brazil, and South Korea all flew Lynx helicopters.
The new AgustaWestland Wildcat is an updated Lynx with newer engines and electronics.

Kids’ Questions

How did it set a speed record?

Westland built a special Lynx with new rotor blades made of composite material, which is very light and strong. With those blades and tuned engines, a Lynx flew at 249 mph in 1986. That was the fastest a helicopter had ever flown. The record stood until 2010, when a different helicopter beat it.

Can helicopters really do loops?

Most helicopters can't, but some Lynx can! The Lynx has rotor blades attached so strongly that they don't flex too much when the helicopter is upside down. Stunt pilots have done loops and barrel rolls in Lynx helicopters at airshows. It is rare for a helicopter to be able to do this safely.

Why does the navy version have wheels?

Navy Lynx land on small ship decks that move up and down with the waves. Wheels with strong brakes let the helicopter roll into position after landing. Army Lynx use skids instead, like sled runners, because they usually land on flat ground.

Variants

Lynx HAS.2 / HAS.3 / HMA.8 (Royal Navy ASW, 1976-2017): Royal Navy ASW marks operated from frigates and destroyers; around 75 delivered. Distinguished combat record in the Falklands War. Retired in 2017 as Wildcat HMA.2 reached frontline service.
Lynx AH.1 / AH.7 / AH.9 (British Army, 1977-2018): British Army support and armed-reconnaissance marks flown by the Army Air Corps; around 120 delivered. Carried TOW anti-tank missiles in the armed-reconnaissance role. Retired in 2018 when Wildcat AH.1 reached frontline service.
Wildcat HMA.2 (RN, 2014+): Redesigned RN naval variant; 28 delivered. New mission system, expanded sensor compatibility, and Sea Spear plus FASGW Lightweight Multi-role Missile. Now the principal RN helicopter for Type 23 / Type 26 frigates and Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
Wildcat AH.1 (British Army, 2014+): British Army support and reconnaissance variant; 34 delivered. New systems supporting the Army's battlefield-support role. In active service.
Lynx Mk 88 (West German Navy / export): Export marks tailored to national requirements. The West German Navy operated 22 Lynx Mk 88 plus 7 Mk 88A from 1981 (retired 2014). Other operators included the Brazilian Navy, French Navy, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force, and Republic of Korea Navy.
Wildcat AH.1 / HMA.2 export variants: Wildcat export variants. The Republic of Korea Navy ordered 8 Wildcat HMA.2 (delivered 2018-2020). The Philippines and other prospects remain in the export pipeline.

Notable Operators

Royal Navy: Primary operator with 28 Wildcat HMA.2 in service. Flown by 825 Naval Air Squadron and 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton (Somerset), embarked on Type 23 / Type 26 frigates and Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
British Army Air Corps: Primary operator with 34 Wildcat AH.1 in service. Flown by 1 Regiment Army Air Corps at AAC Middle Wallop (Hampshire) for battlefield-support and reconnaissance tasking.
Foreign / international operators: Past and present users of Lynx and Wildcat include the West German Navy (Lynx, retired 2014), Brazilian Navy, French Navy (Lynx), Royal Danish Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy (Wildcat), and the Philippines. Around 17 nations have flown the type.
Leonardo Helicopters (Westland heritage): Production sits at Leonardo's Yeovil, England facility, which has built Lynx and Wildcat continuously since 1976. The Westland heritage is retained within Leonardo's U.K. operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Lynx's role in Falklands War?

Anti-shipping operations from Royal Navy ships. During the 1982 Falklands War, RN Lynx HAS.2 / HAS.3 helicopters launched from Royal Navy ships to attack Argentine vessels with BAe Sea Skua missiles. Confirmed actions include the disabling of the submarine ARA Santa Fe with depth charges and a Sea Skua hit on 25 April 1982 (she surrendered shortly afterwards), the sinking of the patrol boat ARA Sobral by Sea Skua, the disabling of patrol boat ARA Río Iguazú, and strikes on other Argentine surface combatants. The Lynx and Sea Skua combination proved decisive against Argentine surface forces and established RN anti-shipping helicopter doctrine as one of the most effective Western systems of the era.

How does Wildcat differ from Lynx?

Wildcat is a thoroughly redesigned successor. Lynx (1976-2017) used Rolls-Royce Gem engines, an earlier mission system, and an analogue cockpit. Wildcat (2014+) introduces LHTEC CTS800-4N engines, a new mission system, a full glass cockpit, and expanded sensor and weapons compatibility — Sea Spear, FASGW Lightweight Multi-role Missile, and updated radars. Wildcat is around 30% more powerful than the baseline Lynx and offers improved combat performance. The airframe lineage is shared, but every major system has been reworked. Both designs trace to Westland and now sit within Leonardo Helicopters.

What weapons does Lynx / Wildcat carry?

Naval ASW and anti-shipping ordnance dominate the fit. RN Lynx HAS.2 and Wildcat HMA.2 carry BAe Sea Skua and Sea Spear anti-ship missiles, Sting Ray lightweight torpedoes for ASW, and Mk-11 depth charges. Wildcat HMA.2 adds the FASGW Lightweight Multi-role Missile and other updated weapons. British Army Lynx AH.7 and Wildcat AH.1 carry the TOW anti-tank missile (Lynx, limited carriage), the MAG-58 7.62mm machine gun, and other support weapons. Wildcat AH.1's weapons fit is lighter than that of dedicated attack helicopters such as the Apache AH.1, reflecting its battlefield-support and reconnaissance role.

What is Sea Skua?

BAe Sea Skua is a British anti-shipping missile developed by British Aerospace specifically for Lynx-class helicopters. It carries a 110 lb warhead to a range of 13 nmi, using a semi-active radar homing seeker that relies on the helicopter's radar for target illumination. The missile saw heavy operational use in the 1982 Falklands War, where it sank or damaged multiple Argentine ships, and in the 1991 Gulf War, where RN Lynx continued the anti-ship role. Sea Skua was eventually replaced by the FASGW Lightweight Multi-role Missile and Sea Spear. The pairing with Lynx set the Royal Navy's template for naval helicopter strike operations against surface vessels.

Will Wildcat be exported?

Exports are limited but growing. The Republic of Korea Navy ordered 8 Wildcat HMA.2 (delivered 2018-2020) as the first foreign customer, and the Philippines and other prospects are under negotiation. Wildcat competes with the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk (USN equivalent), the NHIndustries NH90 NFH (European competitor), and the AgustaWestland AW159 (an alternative Leonardo platform). Sales remain modest compared to U.S. competitors, but Leonardo continues to market the type globally.

Sources

Leonardo Helicopters — AW Wildcat / Lynx heritage
Royal Navy — Wildcat HMA.2
Wikipedia — Westland Lynx — Source extract used for grounding; CC BY-SA attribution.