French Navy FELINE

摘要

The Lynx constituted a massive improvement when introduced in 1978 over the older Sikorsky HSS-1 and Aerospatiale Alouette III antisubmarine helicopters then in Marine Nationale (French Navy) service. It was fitted with a modern weapon system and was specifically designed to operate from pitching frigate and destroyer decks. Two variants of the Lynx were accepted into French service: 26 Lynx HAS2s powered by Gem 2 turboshafts and 14 Lynx HAS4s that had the more powerful Gem 41-1 engines. At its peak three units operated the type: Flottille 31F, at Saint-Mandrier in the south of France, and Flottilles 34F and 35F, both at Lanveoc-Poulmic in Brittany.