The LYNX-helicopters of the Navy were originally purchased to replace the old helicopters of the type ALOUETTE III. They handle e.g. search and rescue in the North Atlantic and participate in fishery inspections. In Danish waters the LYNX helicopters are used for surveillance and participate in a number of the military tasks, which the units of the Navy must be ready to handle. One of these tasks is self defence and the ability to defend others. Therefore the LYNX helicopters have now been equipped with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.

Together with his crew, Henrik Jensen  with the pilot name JIR is ready to  take off from THETIS.  Photo: Michael Christiansen.

“The weapon may be needed in connection with assymetric threats against Navy ships in connection with international operations. The need may also arise in connection with control of ships in an area where an embargo has been imposed by the international community. Here it may be necessary to threaten with the use of weapons or actually use them to stop a ship, so that its papers and cargo can be inspected safely,” says pilot, Lieutenant Commander Henrik Jensen. During exercise DANEX 06 he is with LYNX S-170 on the command ship HDMS THETIS.

During the exercise S-170 has two times had the opportunity to fire its machine gun. One of the firings was coordinated with THETIS where machine guns on the two platforms were firing in turn at a exercise target at sea.

The Navy Helicopter Corps based at Helicopter Wing Karup has two trained gunnery instructors which have the task to train the other gunners. They have been trained in Germany and Belgium. Both flight technicians aboard THETIS are trained gunners. The Flight technicians are from the Danish Air Force whereas the pilot and the tactical observer are from the Navy.

It is easy to see,  where the projectiles hit the water.
Photo: Michael Christiansen.

Text: Michael Christiansen, SPAO DATG