Aircraft

The first structure for the UK’s AgustaWestland Future Lynx programme emerged on 24 October, when Oldland CNC machined the light helicopter’s first bulkhead at its Bristol production site. The development moves the 70-aircraft project a step closer to achieving its first flight goal of November 2009.

© Oldland CNC

Oldland managing director James Tucker and two company machinists are pictured with the aluminium component, which will form part of the Future Lynx’s main fuselage. The aircraft, which is being developed in two variants to perform battlefield reconnaissance and maritime strike missions, will have a maximum take-off weight of almost 5.8t.

© AgustaWestland

The British Army and UK Royal Navy will receive 40 and 30 of the aircraft respectively (artist's impression of navy variant pictured above), with deliveries scheduled to run between 2011 and 2017. With the addition of training and support services, the Future Lynx project is expected to value £2 billion ($4.1 billion).