(taken
from: unknown Internet source)
The
introduction of the new Type 122 Bremen-class Frigates, brought
with it the need for the purchase of appropriate shipborne helicopters
(Bordhubschrauber = BHS). Two of which were supposed to be operated
from the ships.
The German Navy's decicison fell in favour of the British Westland
Lynx helicopter. The Lynx was build for the needs of the Royal Army
(AH) and Royal Navy (HAS). The Helicopter Anti-Submarine, as was
the full designation of the HAS, was chosen and modified to meet
the German demands.
(taken
from: Bordgemeinschaft Frigatte Emden Homepage)
The
first Sea Lynx bound for the German Navy made it's first flight
on 26th may 1981 and was handed over to the Marineflieger at Yeovil.
Togehter with two other helicopters it was used for training of
crews and personell. The remaining of the 19 ordered Lynxes were
delivered between end of 1981 and 1988.
Operational use of the Nordholz based helicopters began with the
landing of two Mk. 81s on the Frigate Bremen in july 1982. Since
then a pair of two Lynxes is operated from the ships, needing a
total personell of 18 seamen.
The helicopters are specially equipped to be operated from ships
and herefore incorporate very sophisticated avionics, ebaling crews
to operate under virtually all wheatherconditions or at night. Moreover,
like it's big brother Sea King, the Lynx has an automatic flightstabalization
system. This allows the helicopter to hover automatically. In contrary
Luftwaffe and Heeres Bell UH-1Ds must during hovering be held in
position by the pilot manually, thus fully relying on throttle,
rudders and stick.
Changes were also made to the undercarriage. It was strengthened
to withstand forces during the heavy landing on moving decks. The
Lynx can land at angles up to 20° and is fitted with inflatable
swimmers for emergency ditches.
(taken
from: "Flugzeuge und Hubschrauber der Bundeswehr", Motorbuch
Verlag")
Sea
Lynx helicopters are used for a variety of missions. As every helicopter
ever in use with the German Navy it has to play the roles of SAR
helicopter, close-in Anti-Submarine Warfare and observation plattform
for naval vessels. Next to advanced avionics and communication systems,
the Sea Lynx operates a Bendix AN/AQS 18 dive sonar to detect enemy
submarines well without the reach of their own surface forces. The
offensive weaponsload consists of up to two torpedos, two deep or
shallow water tropedos respectively.
In addition to this all helicopters are equipped with a rescue winch
to meet SAR requirements. Under theses circumstances a total of
7 persons can be carried next to the three man crew or 1360 kg of
cargo.
(taken
from: "Airwar Bosnia", Airlife)
The
Bosnian war also meant the first "hot" missions for the crews of
MFG 3. German Sea Lynx helicopters were used to bring up ships violating
the embargo emposed over Yugoslavia. After the ships were brought
to a halt by NATO vessels, Lynxes landed boarding parties on these
ships in order to control the freight.
Since fall 1987 German Frigates and their accompanying helicopters
deploy regularly to the Mediterranean as part of the Naval-on-call-Force-Mediterranean
(NAVOCFORMED).
Super
Sea Lynx
In
1996 the German Navy signed a contact with GKN Westland helicopters
ordering seven new Mk.88A Super Sea Lynx helicopters. This would
bring the fleet to a total of 24 aircraft - two Sea Lynx were lost
in december 1993 and january 1994.
In addition, the remaining 17 Mk.88 airframes will be brought up
to Mk.88A Super Sea Lynx standard. The helicopters will receive
completely new fuselages but retain their original engines, flying
controls, hydraulics, avionics and electrical systems.
The Super Sea Lynx incorporates the Marconi Sea Spray 3000 Radar,
a multi-role turret (MRT) forward looking infra red and BAe Matra
Sea Skua anti-shipping missiles. The first Super Sea Lynx bound
for the German Navy had its roll-out on 14th july 1999.
The Sea Lynx overhaul programme is due to be finished in 2003. This
means, the Lynx helicopters will remain in active duty until 2015,
before they will be replaced by the NFH version of the NH90 (now
MH90).
