Cornwall laps up the cream of Algerian Navy pilot training

These are aircraft that were purchased by the Algerian Naval Forces, which are now being used by a dedicated AgustaWestland training facility set up by the company’s customer training division.

The school is providing type conversion and SAR training for Algerian Navy pilots and aircrew on the Super Lynx and AW101, following Algeria’s order for these types in November 2007.

Algeria ordered four Westland Super Lynx Mk 130s, which are versions of the Super Lynx 300, with LHTEC CTS800-4N engines, and fitted with advanced glass cockpits and avionics derived from those of the AW101.

In Algerian service, a three-man crew will operate the Lynx. Algeria also ordered six AgustaWestland AW101 Mk 610s, dedicated SAR versions of the Merlin, similar to the Mk 514 used by Portugal, with a 360-degree search radar and FLIR/EO turret under the nose, and powered by General Electric CT7-80 turboshaft engines.

The Algerian Merlins are fitted with the new uprated tail rotor developed for the type, which gives the aircraft improved control margins at higher all-up weights and allows the aircraft to hover in a 40 knot crosswind. They will be operated by a four-man crew.

The training for the Algerian aircrew includes under-slung load training, winching, cliff rescues and night vision goggles (NVG) operations. The school now occupies the hangar and accommodation previously used by No 203 (Reserve) Squadron, the RAF’s Sea King SAR training squadron.

The first Algerian Lynx was flying from St Mawgan by February 2010 and the first Merlin began training operations in Cornwall in May. By the end of 2010, two Lynxes and two Merlins were operating from the Cornish base. It is expected that the Lynx and Merlin aircrew training will continue for at least five years.

Two AgustaWestland AW109E Power helicopters were specially purchased in early 2009 for the express purpose of providing basic rotary-wing flying training (and especially instrument flying training) for the Algerian aircrew (together with the required ground school) under what is planned to be a three-year contract. The two aircraft wear UK military serials, and are operated by the UK Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury.

Once they have completed the basic rotary training phase on the AW109E, the Algerian trainees move to the RAF Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) at RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey, where a dedicated flight operates a pair of AgustaWestland AW139s (RAF SAR aircrew train on the Bell 412). The two AW139s, painted in the RAF’s black and yellow training colour scheme, were handed over in April and May 2009.

Though the deal has not been formally announced, due to Algerian requests for confidentiality, Arabian Aerospace understands that Algeria is acquiring more than 80 (and perhaps as many as 100) helicopters from AgustaWestland for its paramilitary police and emergency forces. All of the helicopters are being procured from AgustaWestland via Algeria’s Ministry of Defence. Some 72 aircraft (30 AW109 LUH and 42 AW101s) are being procured to meet a long-standing requirement for ‘surveillance and intervention’ helicopters for the paramilitary Gendarmerie Nationale (the rural police force, also tasked with anti-terrorism and border protection).

The AW109 LUH (light utility helicopter) is a dedicated military/paramilitary version of the A109E Power with an advanced digital cockpit, based on three AMLCDs and featuring a digital four-axis automatic flight control system (AFCS). The LUH is capable of being armed with rocket pods, machine gun pods, pintle-mounted machine guns, anti-tank and air-to-air missiles.

Further helicopters are required for the Unité Aérienne de la Sureté Nationale (UASN), the air unit of the primary urban and metropolitan police force, and the Protection Civile (responsible for fire fighting and responding to emergencies). There is also an outstanding Al Quwwat aljawwiya aljaza'eriiya (Algerian air force) requirement for a combat search and rescue helicopter.

The contract is believed to have been split up into a number of phases. The first will cover the supply of 15 AW109 LUH helicopters to the Gendarmerie Nationale, and ten to the UASN, with five AW139s being delivered to the Protection Civile. The second phase will reportedly consist of the delivery of 10-15 AW101s for the Gendarmerie Nationale. The third phase will see 27-32 AW101s and 15 AW109 LUH helicopters being assembled locally (under a joint venture being established between Agusta Westland and the Algerian Ministry of Defence). Further local assembly of the AW109LUH (and perhaps of the AW139) is expected against UASN and Protection Civile requirements.