Super Lynx handed over
Date: 14 February 2008
By Dean Wingrin
Naval Base Simonstown, Cape Town, saw the ceremonial handover today of the Super Lynx Mk 64 helicopters to the South African Air Force (SAAF) and South African Navy (SAN).
The symbolic handover of the Super Lynx by the Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, to the Lt. Gen. Carlo Gagiano (Chief of the SAAF) and R Adm Moseou Magalefa (Acting Chief of the SAN) provided a significant boost to maritime and air defence capabilities. In his speech, Lekota emphasised the transformation undertaken in the Department of Defence towards jointness of operations. The naval frigate and airforce helicopter comprise a potent organic partnership. While the airforce was accountable for the helicopters, they will be totally and indivisibly integrated with the combat ships of the Navy.
All four Super Lynx were on display. Aircraft 192 was already aboard the SAS Drakensburg. After the arrival of the dignitaries, a three-ship formation of Super Lynx arrived overhead and broke over the assembled crowd. After a 19 Gun salute, aircraft 194, crewed by Agusta Westland test pilot Andy Ragett and SAAF Tactical Coordinator Maj. Mark Holden, then continued to perform some spectacular maneuvers, showing off the aircraft at its best. The helicopter then proceeded to land aboard SAS Spioenkop moored right in front of the guests. Meanwhile, 191 had landed aboard SAS Amatola and 193 aboard SAS Isandlewana.
After the speech by the Minister of Defence, guests were invited aboard SAS Spioenkop to view the Super lynx up close. Thereafter, guests were invited to the SAS Drakensburg for refreshments.
Super Lynx 194 then lifted-off and performed for the samll group of photographers assembled on the bridge of the Spioenkop before performing a high-speed pass for the guests.
Later in the afternoon, aircraft 191 departed the SAS Amatola and also performed a high-speed pass over the ship. 193 then lifted off the SAS Isandlewana and departed for Ysterplaat.
History of the SAAF Super Lynx
Although it was announced on 18 November 1998 that Agusta Westland had been selected to supply four Super Lynx maritime helicopters to the value of R787m (£82.8m), the contract was only signed on 14 August 2003. The version purchased under Project Maulstic was the Super Lynx 300 Mk 64.
Developed from the Super Lynx 100, Super Lynx 300 incorporates an all new integrated "glass" cockpit with a colour liquid crystal display system. The more powerful CTS800-4N engines, jointly developed by Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, complemented with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) delivers over 30% more power. The SAAF Super Lynx aircraft have a high level of South African sourced avionics and mission equipment making it the most advanced version of the Super Lynx 300 helicopter developed and produced so far.
The first of four Super Lynx helicopters for South Africa took to the air for the first time on 24th April 2006 at AgustaWestland's Yeovil factory in the UK.
Pilot and ground crew conversion training was conducted by AgustaWestland at its Customer Training Centre in Yeovil starting in early 2007, continuing with Agusta Westland staff in South Africa after the delivery of the aircraft to the SAAF.
The initial delivery to South Africa was delayed by a month as formal acceptance was still awaited for one piece of equipment. However, the first two aircraft (193 and 194) arrived at Cape Town International airport aboard an Antonov An-124 on the morning of 13 July 2007. The Super Lynx maintenance crews from 22 Squadron unloaded the helicopters and, having had the transport protection removed and the main rotor blades fitted, were flown that afternoon to AFB Ysterplaat, accompanied by two Oryx and an Alouette helicopter.
The final two Super Lynx (191 and 192) arrived in Cape Town from Yeovilton on 27 July 2007, also aboard an Antonov An-124. After being offloaded, they too were flown directly to AFB Ysterplaat.
The helicopters are based at AFB Ysterplaat where they will be flown by SAAF pilots of 22 Squadron for the Navy and will be deployed on the South African Navy Valour (Meko A200SAN) class frigates performing anti-surface warfare, maritime patrol and SAR roles.
The helicopters will provide a surface search capability in the anti-surface warfare roles, search and rescue (SAR), maritime patrol and utility duties. Ancillary duties include vertical replenishment, personnel transport and casualty evacuation.
