- The British Lynx Wildcat helicopter will undergo high altitude testing in August at the Fremont County Airport
A helicopter on order for the British Army and the Royal Navy will be stationed at the Fremont County Airport for three weeks in August as part of a high altitude testing program. Fremont County Airport Manager Richard Baker said a team from Agusta-Westland Helicopters of Great Britain will be testing high altitude performance of their new AW 159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter from August 8th through the 28th. Baker said the military helicopter will be flying primarily in the area of the airport north of Florence testing the chopper with different weights and temperatures. Baker said the team is currently performing similar high altitude testing at the Buena Vista Airport. The helicopter was transported to the U.S. in a cargo aircraft by the UK Ministry of Defense.
An on-line Wikipedia report indicates the AW 159 Lynx is scheduled to go into service with the British Army in 2014 and with the Royal Navy in 2015. The UK Ministry of Defense announced in 2008 that they were moving ahead with a contract with Agusta-Westland for 62 of the Lynx Wildcat helicopters. The same company did similar high altitude helicopter testing at the Fremont County Airport in 2003 and 2005.
Baker said the testing team is comprised of 16 members who will fill a number of motel rooms in Cañon City during their three week stay.