The eagles have landed. Article and photos by R Adm(JG) KJ Watson, Project Director Project SITRON.

On Friday morning, the 13th of July 2007, the first two Super Lynx 300 Mk64 touched South African soil when they were unloaded from the Antonov An-124 freighter aircraft that delivered them to Cape Town International Airport. The nose of the aircraft opened to allow the unloading of the two Lynx helicopters, as well as a consignment of spares and ground support equipment.

Ready for Take-off on first flight in RSA

The event was witnessed by Col Jakes Jacobs (representing Director Air Force Acquisition), Lt Col Rob Sproul (Project Officer Project MAULSTIC) and R Adm(JG) Kevin Watson (Project Director Project SITRON), amongst the eager group of participants at the airport.

Antonov An-124 aircraft on the runway.	Nose opening for unloading helicopters.

The unloading proceeded swiftly with the Lynx maintenance crews from 22 Squadron, Ysterplaat (who had all received technical training at Westland Helicopters in the UK) eager to prepare their new charges for the flight to Ysterplaat.

The two helicopters were then towed into an adjacent hangar to have the transport protection removed and the main rotor blades fitted. Once this was completed and the systems checks had been performed, the first LYNX RSA 193 was towed onto the apron for starting checks before the flight to Ysterplaat.

First glimpse of Lynx RSA 194.	View of RSA 194 moving down aircraft ramp.
Lynx RSA 193 against Table Mountain.	View of the cockpit.

LYNX RSA 193 took off at just after 13:30 in the company of two ORYX and an Alouette helicopter for a short tour of the Cape before landing at Ysterplaat at 14:00. The first helicopter was warmly welcomed at 22 Squadron, Ysterplaat by Col Butler and a large crowd of personnel from the base. Project SITRON, Project MAULSTIC, the SA Navy and the SA Air Force are rightly proud to have received the first 2 of 4 aircraft in South Africa. This now enables the start of the integration testing between the VALOUR Class Frigates and the Super Lynx helicopters, to eventually reach the point where the organic helicopter of the Frigates is fully integrated in the ships’ weapon system. The is the first maritime helicopter to operate within the SANDF since the withdrawal from service of the old Wasp helicopters in the 1980’s - truly a proud moment!

Being pushed back onto the flight line.

Congratulations to all involved!