Denmark

Westland Super Lynx Mk.90B
in Danish Naval Aviation service

Last updated:

History

The eight survivors of the original Danish Lynx fleet were rebuilt to Super Lynx Mk.90B standard 2000-2004, under a contract signed with Westland in December 1997. The rebuild used a new fuselage but retained the (overhauled) existing systems. S-191 and S-170 were rebuilt at Westland, while the remainder were rebuilt at Vaerlose AB in the Navy workshop. Used for shipboard patrol/SAR duties.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
S-191 WA409 ZJ901 30 Oct 2000 del’d 1 Nov 2000?
S-170 WA410 ZJ902 3 Apr 2001  
S-181 WA411 ZJ903 23 May 2002  
S-142 WA418 28 Feb 2003  
S-134 WA425 30 Apr 2003  
S-249 WA434 2004  
S-256 WA438 2004  
S-175 WA439 2005  

Pictures

None available at present.

More Information

References

  • European Air Forces Directory 2007/08 (Mach III)
  • Scramble Military Database

Other Sources

To be added.

Westland Lynx Mk.23
Danish Naval Aviation

Last updated:

History

One Lynx Mk.23 delivered in 1987, being an embargoed airframe for intended for Argentina. The Mk.23 was never flown and only used for ground training purposes by the Danish Navy.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
S-035 WA035 3-H-41 25 Nov 1987 GI Karup Aug 2006

Pictures

None available at present.

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.

Westland Lynx Mk.90
in Danish Naval Aviation service

Last updated:

History

Two Lynx Mk.90 delivered 1987-1988, being embargoed examples intended for Argentina. Used for shipboard fishery protection and rescue duties. Survivors upgraded to Super Lynx standard 2000-2004.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
S-249 WA249 3-H-143 22 May 1987 to Super Lynx 2003
S-256 WA256 3-H-144 May 1988 wfu 2003, GI Karup Aug 2006

Pictures

None available at present.

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.

Westland Lynx Mk.80
in Danish Naval Aviation service

Last updated:

History

Eight Lynx Mk.80 delivered from June 1980. Used for shipboard fishery protection and rescue duties. Survivors upgraded to Super Lynx standard 2000-2004.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
S-134 WA134 G-BHHM 6 June 1980 to Super Lynx 2003
S-142 WA142 G-BHHL 6 June 1980 to Super Lynx 2002
S-170 WA170 G-17-18 6 June 1980 w/o 14 June 1997 Poland, to Super Lynx July 2001
S-175 WA175 G-17-19 4 Aug 1980 to Super Lynx 2004
S-181 WA181 G-17-20 8 Sept 1980 to Super Lynx 2003
S-187 WA187 G-17-21 2 Oct 1980 w/o 20 Feb 1987 Faroe Islands
S-191 WA191 G-17-22 18 Nov 1980 wfu 2003, converted to simulator
S-196 WA196 G-17-23 6 Oct 1981 w/o 14 Sept 1985 Baltic Sea, cockpit GI Vaerlose Aug 1991, rear fuselage GI Alborg Oct 2000

Pictures

None available at present.

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.

Aerospatiale SE 3160 Alouette III
in Danish Naval Aviation service

Last updated:

History

Eight SE.3160 Alouette III obtained from 1962. Used by for fishery protection and rescue duties. Normally fitted with floats and a winch. Withdrawn from service in 1982 and sold.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
M-019 1019   1962 wfu Dec 1982, to LX-AAA Feb 1983, later to HB-XOE
M-030 1030   1962 wfu Dec 1981, to USA Feb 1983
M-070 1070   1963 wfu Apr 1980, preserved Marine Museum Alborg Sept 2006
M-071 1071   1963 wfu Dec 1982, to LX-EEE Feb 1983, later HB-XNZ
M-072 1072   1963 wfu Feb 1982, to USA Feb 1983
M-388 1388   1967 wfu Sept 1980, preserved Egeskov Oct 2006
M-438 1438   1967 wfu Jan 1982, to HB-XCM Mar 1983
M-439 1439   1967 wfu May 1982, to LX-OOO Feb 2003, later to HB-XOF

Pictures

None available at present.

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.

Danish Naval Aviation

Last updated:
Operator Profile

History

Narrative Summary

The orginal Danish Naval air arm was amalgamated with the Army air arm into the RDanAF in 1950. Naval aviation was resumed in 1962 when Alouette III helicopters were delivered for fishery protection and rescue duties. In 1971 the navy unit was named the Soevaernets Flyvetjaeneste (SVF, Danish Naval Air Service). Aircraft were maintained by 722 sqn of the Air Force, on behalf of the Navy.

The SVF was originally planned to be merged onto the RDanAF in 2003 as 728 Esk, along with the Army’s helicopters, but in recognition of its importance, was reorganised under its present title in January 2004 at a new air base. Danish naval helicopters were used primarily for Fishery Patrol, shipboard support and coastal Search & Rescue (SAR) missions. On 31 December 2010 the SHT was disbanded and transferred to the RDanAF as Eskadrille 723.

Key Dates
1962 Naval aviation resumed using Alouette III helicopters.
1971 Naval aviation unit named Soevaernets Flyvetjaeneste.
January 2004 Naval aviation unit renamed to present title.
31 December 2010 Naval aviation unit disbanded and transferred to thr RDanAF.

Current Status

The service has been transferred to Air Force control.

Future Plans

Not applicable.

Markings

National Insignia

Current — Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbers

Danish navy helicopters used the same serialling system as the air force – a letter prefix and unique three figure number for each airframe.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory

Not applicable.

All-Time Aircraft Used List

All-Time Table of Aircraft Used

Instructional Airframes

Retired aircraft used for technical training

Aircraft NOT Used

False reports of aircraft on order or in service – none known.

Aircraft Losses and Incidents

None known.

Organisation

Main Headquarters

PO Box 202, DK-2950 Vedbaek.

Organisational Structure

All helicopters are based at Karup and onboard five ships.

Current Order of Battle

Not applicable.

Historical Orders of Battle

The order of battle between 2004 and 2010 was as below:
Click on unit name for more details

Squadron Type Base
SHT Super Lynx Mk.90B Karup

All-Time Flying Units List

Soevaernets Helikopter Tjeneste

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

Not applicable.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

Until 2003 the main naval helicopter base was at Vaerlose. Subsequently, all helicopters were operated from Karup – the military helicopter base for Denmark.
Military Air Bases List
Aircraft & helicopter carrying ships list

More Information

Books

None known.

Magazines

World Air Power Journal No.1 p.134
Air International Feb 1995

Websites

Official Danish Navy webpage
wikipedia: Royal Danish Navy
Naval Aviation Fleet List 1962-Present
airliners.net

Any photographs illustrating this operator would be welcome.

National Markings
Danish Naval Aviation

Last updated:
    This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by Danish Naval Aviation since its formation:


    space300
    Main MarkingFin Flash

    1971-2010
    The main marking was displayed on each side of the fuselage on helicopters. The fin flash was displayed on the fin. Naval helicopters also carry an ‘anchor’ insignia in black or white on the fuselage sides, but no service titles.

Soevaernets Helikopter Tjeneste
Danish Naval Aviation

Last updated:

History

A naval helicopter flight with three Alouette III helicopters was first established in 1962, under RDanAF control. Additional helicopters were obtained, bringing the total strength up to eight helicopters by the end of 1967. In 1971 the unit was recognised as a naval unit and named Soevaernets Flyvetjaeneste (SVF, Danish Naval Air Service). In 1980 the Lynx began to replace the Alouette IIIs, with the process being completed in 1982.

An upgrade programme launched in 1997 saw the original Lynx fleet gradually replaced by improved Super Lynx helicopters from 2000. In 2004, following a round of defence spending cuts, the SVF was renamed Soevaernets Helikopter Tjeneste (SHT) and moved to Karup.

In a further round of defence cuts the unit was disbanded on 31 December 2010 and transferred to the RDanAF as Eskadrille 723.

Subordinate Units

None.

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
Alouette III 8 1962 – 1982  
Lynx Mk.80 8 1980 – 2004  
Lynx Mk.90 2 1987 – 2003  
Lynx Mk.23 1 1987 – 2004 (GI only)  
Super Lynx Mk.90B 8 2000 – 2010  


Unit Markings

Figure 1
To be added


Main Bases

Base Duration
Vaerlose 1962 – Dec 2003
Karup Jan 2004 – 2010


Photographs

None currently available.

More Information

References

  • To be added.

Other Sources

To be added.