Leonardo Helicopter has exhibited in public its weapon wing system that is tooled UK AW159 Wildcat HMA2 maritime helicopters during the Royal navy’s Carrier Strike Group 2021 roll-out.
Leonardo Helicopter UK’s Maritime Marketing Manager, Louis Wilson-Chalon, said: “the system's aerodynamic design meant each wing created 360 kg of lift, significantly improving the endurance of the helicopter.”
The Aluminium alloy and carbon fibre compound weapon wings validate a mix of weapons to be carried for a diversity of force protection scenarios. This incorporates a full load of 20 Thales Martlet air-to-surface and up to four MBDA Sea Venom anti-ship missiles.
Wilson-Chalon added: “environment trials have been carried out on Wildcats as part of the testing programme underway ahead of the CSG21 deployment to the Middle East and Pacific regions due next year. The tests will culminate in the live firing of weapons.”
The Wildcat will only be attached with Martlet missiles and door guns, as well as BAE Stingray anti-submarine torpedoes and Mark 11 depth charges, during CSG21.
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