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Westland Helicopters

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Westland Helicopters
IndustryAircraft
PredecessorWestland Aircraft
Bristol Aeroplane Company
Fairey Aviation Company
Saunders-Roe
Founded1961
Defunct2000
FateCombined with Agusta
SuccessorAgustaWestland
HeadquartersYeovil, Somerset, United Kingdom
ProductsRotary-wing aircraft
ParentGKN
(1994–2000)

Westland Helicopters was a UK-based manufacturer of aircraft. Initially operating as Westland Aircraft, the company shifted its focus to helicopters following the Second World War. It was consolidated with several other British aviation companies during 1960 and 1961.

In the year 2000, Westland Helicopters joined forces with the Italian helicopter maker Agusta, resulting in the creation of AgustaWestland.[1] Subsequently, in 2016, AgustaWestland became part of Leonardo, transforming into the helicopter division branded as Leonardo Helicopters.[2][3]

Origins

Red brick factory buildings seen across roads and traffic light controlled junction.
Entrance to AgustaWestland's facility in Yeovil, England

The origins of Westland Aircraft date back to 1935 when Petters Limited separated its aircraft manufacturing operations from its engine production. Throughout the Second World War, the firm constructed military planes such as the Lysander, the Whirlwind, and the Welkin.

Post-war, Westland began producing helicopters under licence from Sikorsky. By the mid-1950s, the company increasingly specialised in rotary-wing aircraft, eventually focusing exclusively on this segment. Their production commenced with the licensed Sikorsky S-51, which was designated as the Westland Dragonfly. This model first flew in 1948 and entered service with both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force by 1953. An enhanced variant known as the Widgeon was developed but did not achieve significant success. Building on the Dragonfly’s achievements, Westland also produced the licensed Sikorsky S-55 as the Whirlwind, and adapted a turboshaft-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 into the Wessex.

1960s

During Eric Mensforth's tenure as chairman from 1953 to 1968, the company initiated a significant transformation, which was further accelerated by government intervention between 1959 and 1961. The authorities mandated the consolidation of approximately twenty aviation companies into three major groups. Fixed-wing aircraft development was assigned to British Aircraft Corporation and Hawker Siddeley Group, while the helicopter divisions of Bristol, Fairey, and Saunders-Roe—along with their hovercraft operations—were combined with Westland to establish Westland Helicopters in 1961.

File:Heli.scout.2.750pix.jpg
Privately owned ex-military Westland Scout AH.1 (XV134)

Westland took over the Saro Skeeter helicopter, a progression of the Cierva W.14 Skeeter, as well as the Fairey Rotodyne compound gyroplane design. The company pursued further development of the Rotodyne but discontinued its own large transport project, the Westland Westminster.

The firm continued manufacturing licensed helicopters from Sikorsky (Sea King) and Bell (Sioux). Alongside these, Westland developed proprietary models such as the Westland Scout and its naval adaptation, the Westland Wasp, both derived from the P.531 platform and adopted by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm respectively.

By the late 1960s, Westland entered into a partnership with Aérospatiale to produce three new helicopter models: the Aérospatiale Puma, Aérospatiale Gazelle, and the Westland Lynx—the latter being an original Westland design.

1970s

Through its acquisition of Saunders-Roe, Westland initially became a partial owner and then, beginning in 1970, assumed full ownership of the British Hovercraft Corporation, which later operated under the name Westland Aerospace. Most of the designs during this period were either Saunders-Roe originals or derivatives thereof.

For an extended period, Westland controlled London's primary heliport located at Battersea.

1980s

The company experienced a gradual decline into financial losses during this decade. In 1985, Sikorsky proposed a rescue arrangement that sparked division within the UK cabinet and ultimately led to Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine’s resignation in January 1986. This controversy—known as the Westland affair—centered on whether to pursue a European partnership or accept Sikorsky’s American offer for Britain's sole helicopter manufacturer. Ultimately, Sikorsky’s proposal was accepted, resulting in minority stakes held by both Sikorsky and Fiat in Westland. In 1988, GKN acquired a 22% share in Westland from Hanson plc and Fiat.

In 1984, Westland introduced plans for the WG 44 light attack helicopter based on Lynx technology, incorporating stealth features developed from their SUPERVISOR and PHOENIX unmanned aerial system projects conducted between 1977 and 1983. By 1987, alongside support for Agusta’s A129, Westland completed its WG 47 development as a confidential private initiative involving Fokker, MBB, and CASA. This design featured a faceted fuselage with internal weapons bays and twin angled tail rotors.

The exhaust system integrated an infrared suppressor with side-exiting outlets, while the tandem cockpit positioned the pilot forward with outward-angled transparencies to minimize optical reflections. This design anticipated elements later seen in the US Army’s Boeing–Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche—introduced in 1995 but cancelled in 2004—and influenced fuselage shaping used in the NH90 helicopter.

1990s

During the 1990s, the company regained profitability and expanded, largely due to significant contracts awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence. These included orders for EH101 Merlin helicopters and 67 license-produced Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, which were designated as the WAH-64 and entered full operational deployment in 2005.

File:Westland apache wah-64d longbow zj206 arp.jpg
UK Army Air Corps Westland Apache WAH-64D Longbow showcased at a UK airshow

In April 1994, Westland became a fully owned subsidiary of GKN.[4] By 2000, GKN and Finmeccanica reached an agreement to merge their helicopter divisions—Westland and Agusta—forming the joint venture known as Agusta Westland. GKN contributed Westland, its 50% interest in the EH Industries (EHI) joint venture with Finmeccanica, the aerospace transmissions division, and half ownership in Aviation Training International. Finmeccanica brought Agusta, including its transmissions and structures units, its shares in EHI, NH Industries, and Bell Helicopter Textron.[5]

On 26 May 2004, GKN announced the sale of its stake in AgustaWestland to Finmeccanica for £1.06 billion.[6][7] This transaction received approval from the British government in October 2004.[8]

The former Westland facility located at the now-defunct airfield in Weston-super-Mare currently hosts The Helicopter Museum, which displays numerous examples of Westland aircraft.

Helicopters

File:Westland.wasp.750pix.jpg
Privately owned ex-military Westland Wasp HAS.1.
File:Rn black cats cotswoldairshow 2010 arp.jpg
Westland Lynx helicopters operated by the Royal Navy Black Cats aerobatic team
File:Sea King HAR3 XZ585 at RIAT 2010 arp.jpg
RAF Westland Sea King

Hovercraft

Missiles and rockets

Precision gear systems

Unmanned aerial vehicles

See also

References

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  3. ↑ Leonardo – Helicopters
  4. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  7. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • James, Derek N. Westland: A History. Gloucestershire, UK: Tempus Publishing Ltd, 2002. ISBN 0-7524-2772-5.
  • Mondey, David. Westland (Planemakers 2). London: Jane's Publishing Company, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0134-4.
  • James, Derek N. Westland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1991. ISBN 0-85177-847-X

External links

Template:AgustaWestland aircraft Template:Westland aircraft Template:Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom

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