UK Apache Hellfire missiles restocked in £15M deal
Source: UK MoD, 21-May-13
The 100-pound (45kg) Hellfire precision missile is Apache’s primary weapon. Used by crews in Afghanistan, it also proved itself repeatedly during the Libya campaign when Apaches flew from the deck of HMS Ocean against Colonel Gaddafi’s forces. Its successful use in Afghanistan and in training has reduced UK stocks of the missiles, which is why [...]
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat delivered to UK military
Source: AgustaWestland, 12-Jul-12
A ceremony was held today at the Farnborough International Airshow, in the presence of the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, to celebrate the successful delivery to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the new AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat multi-role helicopter. The first AW159 Wildcat was accepted in April 2012 and [...]
UK – First live fire tests of Hellfire from Apache
Source: Royal Navy, 08-May-12
For the first time the tank-busting Hellfire missile has been fired in the UK as HMS Illustrious and the Army Air Corps let rip off the Scottish coast during the biggest military exercise of the year. Two Apache helicopters from 656 Squadron Army Air Corps fired one Hellfire missile each at a training target that [...]
UK special forces add fifth N3 Dauphin
Source: HeliHub.com, 13-Jan-12
The UK’s Special Air Service (SAS), the elite unit of the Army Air Corps, has taken delivery of a fifth Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin. Industry sources tell HeliHub.com that the upcoming Olympics in London has inter alia placed additional responsibilities on the SAS, hence the need for the extra aircraft. It is expected to take up [...]
AgustaWestland completes Lynx AH Mk.9A program
Source: AgustaWestland, 16-Dec-11
A ceremony was held today at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility to mark the completion of the Lynx Mk9A programme and the scheduled delivery of the 22nd and final Lynx AH Mk9A helicopter to the British Army Air Corps in December 2011. The twenty-two aircraft programme was the result of Urgent Operational Requirement contracts placed in November [...]
Apache pilot honoured for bravery in Afghanistan
Source: UK MoD, 08-Oct-11
An Army officer is to receive the Air Force Cross for his ‘selflessness and extraordinary professionalism’ in piloting his Apache helicopter in dangerous situations to assist casualty rescue missions in Afghanistan. Captain Steven Jones, aged 32, an Apache pilot with the Army Air Corps, was flying his helicopter back to base after a day providing [...]
UK: Apache engineers at Wattisham to strike?
Source: Unite, 23-Aug-11
Engineers at Wattisham airbase in Suffolk, servicing Apache helicopters in Afghanistan, are set to take strike action over a pay differential dispute that means that many are about £3,000-a-year worse off. More than 100 Unite members employed by Morson Wynnwith at Wattisham – Prince Harry’s home base – have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike [...]
Prince Charles honours British Apache crews
Source: UK MoD, 25-Jul-11
Soldiers who have been operating the Army’s Apache attack helicopters in Afghanistan were praised this week for their outstanding performance by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Prince Charles, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, presented Operational Service Medals to soldiers from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (4 Regt AAC), who have [...]
British Army Apache fires first Hellfire missile at sea
Source: Royal Navy, 18-May-11
British Army Apaches have fired Hellfire missiles for the first time whilst flying from a Royal Navy warship. A significant milestone in proving the capability of Apache to operate and strike from the sea, 30mm cannon and Hellfire missiles were successfully fired against seaborne targets in a long-planned exercise near Gibraltar. In total, 550 rounds [...]
Prince Harry receives his wings – from Prince Charles
Source: Army Air Corps, 10-Mar-11
Prince Harry, Lt Wales, has been awarded his Flying Wings following completion of the eight-month Army Pilot Course with the Army Aviation centre (AACen) at Middle Wallop. His wings were presented to him by his father HRH the Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps, at the Museum of Army Flying [...]
AW awarded £76M Lynx Wildcat training facility contract
Source: AgustaWestland, 08-Mar-11
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to design and develop an integrated training solution which includes the building and equipping of a new modern training centre for the AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter. The state-of-the-art training centre will be located at [...]
Army Air Corps acquires Australian aircrewman simulator
Source: Virtual Simulation Systems, 21-Nov-10
The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a deal with Australian based company, Virtual Simulation Systems (VSS, established by the founder of the popular VBS series of software, David Lagettie) for the lease of a Complete Aircrew Training System (CATS) for up to 3 years. The system will be delivered to the Army Air Corps’ [...]
Prince Harry’s instructor arrested for propositioning female cleaner
Source: The Sun, 28-Oct-10
Married Chris Hearn, 48, is accused of “propositioning” a female cleaner at the Army Air Corps base in Middle Wallop, Hants.
British Army helicopters embark on Royal Navy flagship for exercise
Source: Royal Navy, 30-Sep-10
A detachment of Apache attack helicopters from the Army Air Corps has landed onboard the Royal Navy’s fleet flagship HMS Ark Royal to take part in Exercise Joint Warrior in October 2010. Apaches are used extensively by the Army Air Corps in land operations but over the next few weeks they will train to broaden [...]
Prince honours Lynx crews for ‘keeping the Taliban’s heads down’
Source: British Army, 30-Jul-10
His Royal Highness Prince Charles presented Afghan service medals this week to members of 1st Regiment Army Air Corps (1 Regt AAC) who have recently been operating Lynx helicopters over Helmand. The Prince of Wales, who is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, visited 1 Regt AAC at their base in Germany. The Prince [...]
Prince Charles honours Army helicopter pilots
Source: British Army, 30-Jul-10
Army helicopter pilots, ground crew and technicians who have served in Afghanistan were presented with campaign medals by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales yesterday. 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 AAC), based at Wattisham Flying Station, Suffolk, was also awarded the Honorary Freedom of St Edmundsbury, at the presentation in Bury St Edmunds. [...]
Prince Harry to become Lynx pilot
Source: Telegraph, 30-Apr-10
“Prince Harry is absolutely determined to return to the front line in Afghanistan and flying the Lynx will give him the best opportunity,” an Army Air Corps source said.
Ten More Lynx “9 Alpha” Upgrades For The British Army
Source: AgustaWestland, 27-Mar-10
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a £42 million contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence for the upgrade of 10 more British Army Lynx Mk.9 helicopters with LHTEC CTS800-4N engines. The contract was announced by Quentin Davies MP, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, during a visit to AgustaWestland’s [...]
Museum of Army Flying to add ex-Argentine A109A
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Mar-10
Back in 1982, British Forces captured two Agusta A109A helicopters from the Argentine Army during the conflict to recapture the Falkland Islands. Within 3 years, these were then added to with a second pair of 109s bought new from Italy, and these four helicopters became dedicated to the Special Forces In order to camouflage the [...]
British Army to extend Lynx upgrade, review training system
Source: FlightGlobal, 03-Mar-10
he British Army’s remaining Lynx AH9 utility helicopters will be modified to AgustaWestland’s improved AH9A configuration, following MoD approval to extend the effort to all 22 aircraft.
First upgraded UK Lynx Mk.9 helicopters are back in service
Source: UK MoD, 20-Jan-10
The first four upgraded Lynx Mk9 helicopters, which are to be sent to Afghanistan, have re-entered service, with three of the aircraft now being used for training, prior to deployment, at 9 Regiment Army Air Corps in Dishforth, North Yorkshire. The upgrades on initially twelve Mk9s were ordered by the MOD a year ago, with [...]
First Four Lynx Mk9A Helicopters Delivered Just 12 Months After Contract Award
Source: AgustaWestland, 24-Dec-09
UK Army Apache Helicopters Conduct Maritime Aviation Training
Source: Royal Navy, 03-Oct-09
2 Apache helicopters from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at Wattisham, have been conducting maritime aviation training in the North Sea. The aircrew, recently returned from operations in Afghanistan, were onboard HMS Ocean learning to operate their aircraft from the busy flight deck of the Royal Navy’s largest warship.
A Royal thank you for Army helicopter crews
Source: Bury Free Press, 06-Aug-09
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were at the airfield to present operational service medals to more than 100 soldiers from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC).
