Sea Lynx Mk 88 entered service with the German Navy between 1979 and 1985. The aircraft were purchased in three batches.
Four aircraft were lost during the years of service. Between 1998 and 2001 seven new built aircraft were purchased from manufacturer Westland Helicopters Ltd., forming the 4th batch. The remaining 15 Sea Lynx Mk 88 were upgraded into the Mk 88 A by Eurocopter Germany. The fleet of German Navy Sea Lynx now consists of 22 aircraft, all Mk 88 A standard. The new standard has improved all wheather capabilities, equipped with a 360 degree Marconi Sea Spray 3000 radar, FLIR and GPS.
The usual roles are ASW/ASuW, SAR, troop and cargo transport. For ASW, the aircraft will be equipped with a Bendix dipping sonar and torpedoes Mk46 and Mk4A1.
As ASuW becomes more important, German Sea Lynx are able to fire Sea Skua Missiles and carry a .50 Cal. machine gun, the FN Herstal M3M. The aircraft are based at Naval Air Wing 3, Nordholz and are flown by 3rd Squadron. Sea Lynx are part of the F122 and F123 class frigates.
Four aircraft were lost during the years of service. Between 1998 and 2001 seven new built aircraft were purchased from manufacturer Westland Helicopters Ltd., forming the 4th batch. The remaining 15 Sea Lynx Mk 88 were upgraded into the Mk 88 A by Eurocopter Germany. The fleet of German Navy Sea Lynx now consists of 22 aircraft, all Mk 88 A standard. The new standard has improved all wheather capabilities, equipped with a 360 degree Marconi Sea Spray 3000 radar, FLIR and GPS.
The usual roles are ASW/ASuW, SAR, troop and cargo transport. For ASW, the aircraft will be equipped with a Bendix dipping sonar and torpedoes Mk46 and Mk4A1.
As ASuW becomes more important, German Sea Lynx are able to fire Sea Skua Missiles and carry a .50 Cal. machine gun, the FN Herstal M3M. The aircraft are based at Naval Air Wing 3, Nordholz and are flown by 3rd Squadron. Sea Lynx are part of the F122 and F123 class frigates.
15 mk88 survivors + 7 new built Super Lynx 100, all to Mk88a standard, were in service in 2002
Units
| 1981-2000 | Marinefliegergeschwader 3MFG3 |
| 1981-1997 | Marinefliegerlehrgruppe |
Platforms
| AO 404 Elbe class |