Agusta Westland AW159 Wildcat comes in many different configurations. For navy as (ASW) anti submarine, army as a transport, recon and ground support also as search and rescue. This lightweight utility helicopter is a total redesign of its predecessor the Westland Lynx.
The naval version is also equipped with Sea Venom anti-ship missiles, Sting Ray torpedoes and Mk11 depth charges. Seaspray 7000E (AESA) radar and L-3 Wescam MX-15HDi electro-optical/infrared nose turret for anti-surface guided weapons system.
This 3,300 kg(empty) utility helicopter can carry 6-7 passengers and has a crew of 2-3.
Maximum speed is 311km/hr with a range of 750km and an endurance of 2hrs (4hrs with aux. tanks)
The AW159 can be configured with rocket pads for up to 20 Thales Martlet missiles for ground support.
It is the smartest multi-role helicopter in the light utility class.
Canada does not have any attack helicopters for ground support. We have the only military with a yearly budget of over 15 billion that does not have any attack helicopters . Our ground forces as always, rely on our allies to fill in the gaps for us. Maybe it is time for Canada to man up and look after its own.
Canada’s remaining 85 Giffon CH-146 have been a great little utility helicopter and will continue to serve us well for some time. However, they will not last forever (plans are to refurbish half of them and use the other half for parts), nor was it designed to do all things.
After the longest procurement deal of all time, Canada eventually started receiving the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (larger, twice the weight and cost of the AW159 ASW) for our frigates. We can all hope some lessons were learnt from that fiasco.
Canada needs to start planning now for the replacement of half of its Griffons with the Tactical Reconnaissance Utility Helicopter, which is supposed to be announced in 2021-25, with delivery starting in 2026. The different models of the AW159 can fill the gap in all the utility helicopter roles, including anti-submarine (for OPV, coastal patrol or frigates), escort, surface attack, recon and troop transport.
image sources
- AW159_Wildcat_wikimedia: Julian Herzog CC BY 4.0