The Lynx began to replace the Scout AH.1 as the British Army main battlefield helicopter in 1977. When fitted with TOW missiles, it became a potent anti-tank platform. During 1981 deck landing trials were carried out, for instance on HMS Fearless. As the Apache AH.1 began to appear in 2001, Lynx TOW kits were withdrawn and the airframes were re-purposed for battlefield support.
1977: 112 AH.1, most converted to AH.7
1985: 13 AH.7 plus conversions
1990: 16 AH.9 plus conversions
2008: AH.9A
2009: AgustaWestland AW.159 Wildcat
16 new airframes AH.9 ordered from Westland in Apr 1988, with plans to modify 8 from the AH.1 / AH.7 fleet, the total number was eventually reduced to 22.
Under a £70M urgent operational requirement to improve hot and high performance and reliability in the Afghan Theatre, 12 Army Lynx AH.9 are being re-engined with the LHTEC CTS800-4N engine, to be used in the Lynx Wildcat programme. By end of Apr 2009, 4 of the 12 were on the Westland line at Yeovil and will be known as the Lynx AH.9A. All 12 airframes are due by Nov 2010. On completion, a decision will be made whether to address the other 10 Army Lynx AH.9.
The final flight of the Lynx AH.7 in AAC service took place at Middle Wallop on 31 Jul 2015.
Under a £70M urgent operational requirement to improve hot and high performance and reliability in the Afghan Theatre, 12 Army Lynx AH.9 are being re-engined with the LHTEC CTS800-4N engine, to be used in the Lynx Wildcat programme. By end of Apr 2009, 4 of the 12 were on the Westland line at Yeovil and will be known as the Lynx AH.9A. All 12 airframes are due by Nov 2010. On completion, a decision will be made whether to address the other 10 Army Lynx AH.9.
The final flight of the Lynx AH.7 in AAC service took place at Middle Wallop on 31 Jul 2015.
Units
| 2011-2014 | 661 Squadron |
| 2004-2011 | 661 Squadron |
| 2004-?? | 672 Squadron |
| 2001-2004 | 672 Squadron |
| 1993-2005 | 661 Squadron |
| 1991-?? | 655 Squadron655 Sq |
| 1990-2008 | 651 Squadron |
| 1990-1993 | 672 Squadron |
| 1987-1993 | 669 Squadron |
| 1986-2015 | 671 Squadron |
| 1986-1991 | 665 Squadron |
| 1985-2004 | 656 Squadron |
| 1982-1991 | 655 Squadron655 Sq |
| 1981-?? | 659 Squadron |
| 1980-2004 | 662 Squadron662 Sq |
| 1980-?? | 653 Squadron |
| 1979- | Lynx Conversion FlightLCF |
| 1978-2004 | 4 Regiment, AAC4 REGT |
| 1978-1993 | 661 Squadron |
| 1977-1991 | 651 Squadron |
| 1977-?? | 654 Squadron |
| ??-1994 | 672 Squadron |
