Great Britain | Exercise Wildcats

[Jamie]

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Exercise Wildcats Private & Encrypted​

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Deployment List​

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[2] 700 Naval Air Squadron, A Flight, AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2

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Operation Staging Areas​

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Designation	Location	Status
RNAS Yeovilton	Yeovilton	Active

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Operations​

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Operation	Location	Objective(s)	Status
Wildcats Evaluation	RNAS Yeovilton	Evaluation of the Wildcat Helicopter	In Progress

Exercise Wildcats is the official designation for the testing and evaluation of the new Royal Navy AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2 which is been considered for the replacement for the ageing Lynx Helicopter. Whilst a similiar airframe, the Wildcat offers new modern technology and advancements which would open new doorways for the Royal Navy's Deployments globally. The crew of 700 Squadron, A Flight, were the first receivers of the Wildcat which was been moved to RNAS Yeovilton, the current home of the F-35B Squadrons which was due to change in the near future. With Yeovilton preparing to become the home of the future helicopter squadrons for the Fleet Air Arm. The thirty-two personnel from the Squadron had begun their trips to RNAS Yeovilton and enter briefings regarding the air frames before the hard work begun.

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[Jamie]

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The Aircrews of 700 Naval Air Squadron had arrived at Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton, the sight of F-35B's parked around the base was exhilarating enough until arriving at the helicopter landing pads where the two Wildcat Helicopters patiently waited. The change in air-frame was a huge improvement, the Wildcats having a more 'sleek' and 'modern' design. It looked the part to be the next utility helicopter of the Royal Navy and British Army. Briefings had begun for A Flight of 700 NAS who were going through the classroom/orientation phase of the Exercise. Learning about the airframe, different mechanical needs of the Wildcat and a difference in features in comparison to the Lynx. This also covered anything the pilots would need to know in terms of the actual handling and operation of the aircraft.

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[Jamie]

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The briefings regarding the Wildcat Helicopter had been complete, leading onto a few questionnaires regarding the air-frame, it's operations and systems that were all in-bedded into it. Ensuring that each member of the air and ground crew is fully aware of the systems they'll be working and operating with for years to come. Following the conclusion of the tests, in smaller teams, air and ground crews were led for a thorough insight into the Wildcat. Getting placed on tours and the chance to sit in the cockpit, gunner positions and passenger slots. Offering a general feel of what they'll be coming across, along with an orientation lesson for ground crew on aspects they'll be required to work with. Aircrew were going through their own orientation on where everything is that relates to their own positions.

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[Jamie]

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Throughout the days, Aircrew and Groundcrew of 700 Naval Air Squadron had gone through briefings, talkthroughs that give an insight into the Wildcat Helicopters and a thorough systems review that'll show the Ground Crews how to maintain them, and Aircrews how to operate the on-board systems. Today was the first day these two Wildcat Helicopters were to go airborne over the United Kingdom from their new home at Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton. Whilst the Groundcrew went through their own checks, ensuring fuel was filled and no problems with the airframe itself, the aircrews had embarked on their briefings to understand the route they'd be taken, any NOTAMS that were published for the area and general pre-flight orientation.

After all had been conducted, they'd all begin to suit up in flight uniforms before making for the landing pads to board the Wildcats for the first flight. Participating in pre-flight checks and ensuring all systems were go. Clearance from Air Traffic Control was quick and it wasn't long before both Wildcats were airborne, maintaining a safe distance from one another but flying north towards Manchester. The first hour consisted of routine cruising, ensuring they understood and got the grasp for the helicopter before turning back and making their trip back to the Naval Air Base. The Co-Pilot testing the surveillance equipment on board, radars, whilst the Pilot focused on his/her own systems that kept the aircraft in the sky. After the two hour flight, they'd safely return to RNAS Yeovilton for debriefing and to ask and answer questions affiliated with the program. The next day was to include a fly through Mach Loop.

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[Jamie]

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The following day, the routine briefings took place, making notes of anything that had occurred the previous day that ought to be adjusted to accomodate for the new aircraft, covering weather updates and the general route. Pilots and Aircrew eager to be flying the Royal Navy's latest aircraft through the famous Mach Loop, a series of valleys in Wales for low level flying and offers a great icebreaker to introduce the Wildcat, putting it through it's paces. Briefings completed, aircraft ready and the two Wildcats had set off from RNAS Yeolvilton, heading North West towards Wales. News of the Wildcats Mach Loop pass had been rumoured, causing an increase in Mach Loopers been present in the area with the aircraft making three passes before beginning it's return trip home. Each pass testing not just the pilots ability, but to assess how the airframe holds. A video had been posted online to show one of the Wildcats passes:

Following the passes, the aircraft begun their return to the Air Station for de-briefings. For the next several days, multiple flights were to take place daily, giving each member of 700 Naval Air Squadron, A Flight, numerous flying hours or time to work with the aircraft that the navy will be manning full time in the future. The next stage was to be conducted on firing ranges, giving the Wildcat Helicopters the chance to fire some of the weapons and to provide a review of expectations.

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[Jamie]

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After a weekend break, the routine morning protocol begun. Air and Ground Crew entering RNAS Yeovilton in uniform, passing security and making for their briefing rooms. Not before stopping for their morning brew. The agenda? A flight with weaponry on a firing range in England. The briefings went through the NOTAMS (Notice to Airmen), the aircraft status' themselves and the weapons used. After a thorough briefing, which included their route and destination, the ground crews begun to depart to configure the two Wildcats.

Each Wildcat would have it's Pintle-Mounted Machine Gun, a Browning M3M, set up and armed. Additional ammunity in the rear cargospace. Additionally, two Sting Ray Torpedo's were to be attached to the wing mounts. Following final checks then pre-flight checks, the aircraft would be airborne by 10:30am heading towards RAF Holbeach, an Air Weapons Range. A setup had been arranged by Range Masters who had organised targets for the Machine Gun, and set up targets which the Sting Ray Torpedo's could be utilised against, although recognising that these weapons work beneath the water, it'd allow them to be fired in a controlled area.

When on station, the Wildcats at separate sides of the ranged allowed the Machine Gunners to be put to the test. Embarking on hitting specific targets across the range whilst boarded the new Naval Helicopters. After several minutes, it'd be halted and the Sting Ray Torpedo's, one aircraft at a time, would be launched across the range. This assessment provided an insight into any weapon system flaws the Wildcat may present, and to work on any problems using the upgraded Lynx. Once both Torpedo's were fired from each, they'd resume the Machine Gun with more eratic movements.

Once all weapons and rounds were used, the two aircraft would make for their return trip to RNAS Yeovilton for a de-briefing.

 

[Jamie]

⌈ NATIONAL ECONOMICS ⌋ Billed

THREAD HAS BEEN CHARGED​

 

[Jamie]

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With a few weeks of training on the new Wildcat Helicopters, a review made by ground and aircrews was pitched forward to the Project Manager for the Implementation of the Wildcats to the Royal Navy; offering their own suggestions, ideas and expectations of the future of the Wildcat Helicopter in an operational sense. Marking any flaws they had come across during their training. Nonetheless, the evaluation and testing was considered a success leading the Ministry of Defence to confirm that the Wildcats will enter production. An additional four were to be procured to convert the 700 Naval Air Squadron into a full Wildcat operating squadron, a total of 6 each squadron and a final count of 24. 700 Naval Air Squadron was due to enter operational service at the end of August.

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