Westland Wasp
| Industry | Aerospace, Defence |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1960s, United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Helicopters (including Westland Wasp) |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2016) |
The Westland Wasp is a compact, turbine-powered anti-submarine helicopter developed in the United Kingdom during the 1960s for operation from naval vessels. Manufactured by Westland Helicopters, it originated from the Saunders-Roe P.531 project—the same lineage as the British Army’s Westland Scout—and traces its design heritage back to the piston-engine Saunders-Roe Skeeter. The Wasp was designed to meet the Royal Navy’s demand for a helicopter small enough to operate from a frigate's deck while carrying a payload of two homing torpedoes.
Design and development
The Royal Navy’s requirement for a "Manned Torpedo-Carrying Helicopter" (MATCH) emerged in response to advancements in submarine speed and attack range, alongside extended detection distances. Existing shipborne weapons lacked sufficient range, so MATCH essentially functioned as a standoff delivery system, with the helicopter transporting torpedoes or other armaments to the target area and receiving instructions on when and where to deploy them. Unlike the larger Westland Wessex, the Wasp did not carry its own sonar system, relying instead on coordination with its parent vessel or other anti-submarine warfare (ASW) assets.
The inaugural flight of the prototype Saro P.531 took place on 20 July 1958. The Royal Navy conducted extensive evaluations of several undercarriage configurations before finalising the design. In September 1961, a contract was awarded for two pre-production "Sea Scouts." These pre-production Wasps first flew on 28 October 1962. Following this, full-scale production began, with 98 units delivered to the Royal Navy. The helicopter also found export customers including Brazil, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In total, 133 aircraft were produced.
The Wasp was essentially a naval adaptation of the Scout helicopter—initially intended to be named the Sea Scout—with modifications tailored for maritime operations. It featured a distinctive four-wheeled caster undercarriage designed to facilitate movement on small and unstable flight decks. The rotor blades could be set to "negative pitch," enabling the aircraft to remain firmly on deck until secured by lashings. Additional fuel tanks were installed beneath the cabin floor, and both the tail boom and main rotor blades were designed to fold for compact storage within the limited space of early-generation helicopter hangars aboard escort ships. A winch was mounted above the starboard rear door, and a semi-automatic cargo release unit beneath the fuselage allowed carriage of underslung loads. With a two-person crew comprising a pilot and missile aimer/aircrewman—and seating capacity for three passengers—the Wasp was also suited for short-range transport tasks and casualty evacuation, accommodating one stretcher across the rear cabin.
Subsequent upgrades enabled carriage of the Nord SS.11 wire-guided missile, which involved fitting an aimer’s sight in the left cockpit roof and adding large inflatable emergency floats housed in sponsons beside the cabin to prevent capsizing if ditched at sea. The SS.11 missile had limited reach and was primarily used against small surface targets such as patrol boats or shore installations; it was later superseded by the AS.12, which offered approximately twice the operational range.
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The Wasp HAS.1 entered service in 1964, fulfilling the small ship helicopter role after undergoing extensive evaluations conducted by the 700(W) Intensive Flying Trials Unit from June 1963 to March 1964. Primarily, it operated with 829 Naval Air Squadron, while also supporting training squadrons such as 706 NAS between 1965 and 1967 and 703 NAS from 1972 to 1981, which prepared crews for frontline duties. Additionally, individual aircraft were assigned for light liaison tasks within Commando Assault units, namely 845 NAS and 848 NAS, until 1973. Although proficient in anti-submarine warfare, the Wasp was most effective when paired alongside the Wessex HAS.3 submarine hunter. By the late 1970s, the Westland Lynx began to supersede the Wasp in Royal Navy service.
On 25 April 1982, a Wessex helicopter from HMS Antrim detected the Argentine submarine ARA Santa Fe. Following this, both the Wessex and a Lynx HAS.2 from HMS Brilliant engaged the submarine using depth charges, a Mk 46 torpedo, and strafing with General Purpose Machine Gun. Subsequently, a Wasp deployed from HMS Plymouth alongside two Wasps from HMS Endurance launched AS.12 anti-ship missiles that struck the target. The damage sustained by Santa Fe was severe enough to prevent it from diving. The crew abandoned the vessel at a jetty on South Georgia and surrendered to British forces, marking this as the initial casualty of the maritime conflict and representing the first direct combat involving the Royal Navy Task Force.
The final withdrawal of the Wasp occurred in 1988, coinciding with the decommissioning of the last Type 12 Rothesay-class frigate.
Compared to other operators, the Royal Malaysian Navy introduced the Wasp at a later stage, acquiring it on 8 April 1988. Its operational tenure within the RMN was relatively brief, concluding after a decade when it was replaced by the Eurocopter Fennec.
Beginning in 1966, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) procured an initial batch of four Wasps out of a total nineteen eventually acquired. These helicopters were immediately assigned to the new Leander-class HMNZS Waikato and undertook various missions, including participation in the Armilla Patrol within the Persian Gulf during the 1980s. RNZN pilots operated these aircraft while maintenance responsibilities rested with ground personnel from No. 3 Squadron RNZAF.
In 1997, four Wasps performed a ceremonial flypast commemorating the commissioning of the new Anzac-class frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha.
After serving for 32 years, the RNZN retired its Wasps in 1998—the same year that HMNZS Waikato, which had been their initial operational platform in New Zealand, was decommissioned. The fleet transitioned to using Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopters temporarily until their replacement by SH-2G(NZ) models.
The Royal Netherlands Navy initiated its naval aviation operations in the late 1960s following the fire incident aboard HNLMS Karel Doorman. Subsequently, NATO's anti-submarine responsibilities were assumed by a squadron of Westland Wasp helicopters deployed on six Van Speijk-class class anti-submarine frigates. Their land base was located at De Kooy Airfield. The Royal Netherlands Navy's 860 Naval Air Squadron acquired twelve Wasp helicopters between November 1966 and June 1967, operating them as AH-12A variants aboard Van Speijk-class frigates primarily for anti-submarine warfare missions. These Dutch Wasps remained in service until 1981, when they were superseded by the Westland Lynx.
Other operators
The Westland Wasp was also utilized by the navies of Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa. Notably, all Indonesian Wasps were previously operated by the Dutch and represented the final active units of this helicopter type.
The Indonesian Navy's last operational Wasp, one of ten refurbished ex-Dutch helicopters by Westland, was grounded in 1998. These aircraft were flown by the 400th Air Squadron (RON 400) based at NAS Juanda. When deployed at sea, they were embarked on Indonesian Navy vessels including ex-Royal Navy Tribal-class and former Dutch Van Speijk-class frigates.
In Brazil, the Wasp served under the designations UH-2 and UH-2A. The Brazilian Navy initially received three newly built units in April 1966, followed by an additional seven second-hand helicopters acquired from the Royal Navy in 1977. The 1º Esquadrão de Helicópteros de Emprego Geral (HU-1) operated these helicopters from various naval platforms such as Gearing and Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers, as well as Niterói-class frigates.
South Africa procured its first batch of ten brand-new Wasps in 1963, with a subsequent order of eight more units commencing deliveries in 1973; however, only six from this second batch were delivered due to international arms embargoes related to apartheid policies. These helicopters were flown by 22 Flight based at Ysterplaat, which was redesignated as 22 Squadron, Maritime Command in 1976. Deployment included operation from the navy's President-class class frigates. Additionally, South Africa obtained one former Bahrain Public Security Force airframe for training purposes to support its Wasp program. The South African Navy retired their final Wasp helicopter in 1990.
Variants
- Sea Scout HAS.1
- The initial designation used by the Royal Navy for what would become the Wasp.
- Wasp HAS.1
- A shipborne anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed for Royal Navy service.
- UH-2/UH-2A
- The Brazilian Navy's designations for the Wasp model, with UH-2 originally labeled as SH-2.
Operators
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- Royal Navy[7]
- 700W Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 703 Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 705 Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 706 Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 771 Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 829 Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 845 Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 848 Naval Air Squadron[8]
- 860 Naval Air Squadron[8]
Aircraft on display
- Brazil
- The Wasp HAS.1 N-7039, previously designated XT433 while serving in the Royal Navy from 1965 until 1978, is exhibited at Campo Dos Afonsos.
- Germany
- Wasp HAS.1 (XS569) is showcased at the Flugaustellung L&P Junior museum located in Hermeskeil.
- Indonesia
- The Indonesian Navy’s Wasp HAS.1 HS-434, formerly known as "Marineluchtvaartdienst" 243, serves as a gate guardian at Juanda Naval Air Station in Surabaya.
- Another Wasp HAS.1 belonging to the Indonesian Navy is displayed at the Naval Doctrine, Education and Training Development Command facility in Surabaya.
- Malaysia
- Wasp HAS.1 M499-01, which operated under the Royal Navy as XV636, is on exhibit at the Royal Pahang Museum in Pekan, Malaysia.
- Wasp HAS.1 M499-07, previously Royal Navy serial XT426 from 1965 to 1992, is displayed at the Maritime Museum in Malacca, Malaysia.
- New Zealand
- The Wasp HAS.1 NZ3906 can be found on display at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum situated in Christchurch.
- Netherlands
- AH-12A Wasp 235, once a Royal Navy Wasp HAS.1 with serial XT795 and operated by the "Marineluchtvaartdienst" (MLD), is exhibited at the Traditiekamer Marineluchtvaartdienst in De Kooy.
- United Kingdom: airworthy
- G-BYCX, a former South African Wasp Mk 1B, is held by Military Vehicle Solutions Ltd. based in Dunchurch, Rugby.
- G-CBUI, previously Royal Navy XT420 Wasp HAS.1, belongs to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust at RNAS Yeovilton and operates bearing its original Royal Navy markings as XT420.
- G-CGGK, a former 829 Naval Air Squadron Wasp HAS.1 with Royal Navy serial number XT434, is owned by Aeromedical Training Ltd. located in Wiltshire.
- G-CMBE (formerly registered as G-KANZ), which served as Royal Navy XT782 and later RNZN NZ3909, is privately owned and flies adorned with RNZN markings under the number NZ3909.
- G-KAXT, previously Royal Navy XT787 and Royal New Zealand Navy NZ3905, is privately held in Hampshire and frequently appears at airshows painted in Royal Navy South Atlantic camouflage featuring HMS Endurance’s badge and its original tail number XT787.
- G-RIMM, once Royal Navy serial XT435 and RNZN NZ3907, is privately owned and flown with markings as XT435.
- United Kingdom: on display
- Wasp HAS.1 XS527 is exhibited at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton.
- Former Endurance Flight Wasp HAS.1 XS567 from HMS Endurance (1967) is on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
- Wasp HAS.1 with serial XT443 can be seen at The Helicopter Museum located in Weston-super-Mare.
- Wasp HAS.1 XT788, based in Devon, England, travels to various locations across the UK serving as a centerpiece for charity fundraising events.
- United Kingdom: stored or under restoration
- G-BZPP, a Wasp HAS.1 formerly registered as Royal Navy serial XT793.
- Wasp HAS.1 helicopters with serials XT427 and XT778 are kept in storage by the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton.
- Former 829 NAS Wasp HAS.1 with serial number XT439 is privately owned and stored in Hertfordshire.
- Wasp HAS.1 with serial XT437 is preserved by the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire.
A limited number of these helicopters remain operational within military units and technical training institutions for purposes of maintenance instruction and engineering education.
Specifications (Wasp HAS.1)
See also
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- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 363.
Bibliography
- Burden, Rodney A., Draper, Michael I., Rough, Douglas A., Smith, Colin R., and Wilton, David. Falklands: The Air War. Twickenham, UK: British Aviation Research Group, 1986. ISBN 0-906339-05-7.
- Donald, David and Lake, Jon (editors). Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, Single volume edition, 1996. ISBN 1-874023-95-6.
- Ellis, Ken. Wrecks and Relics. Manchester: Crecy Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-0-85979-134-2.
- Friedman, Norman. British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing, 2006. ISBN 978-1-86176-137-8.
- James, Derek N. Westland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1991. ISBN 0-85177-847-X.
- Sturtivant, R., and Ballance, T. The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1994. ISBN 0-85130-223-8.
- Billinge, Dave. "Scout and Wasp: An All British Success." Aviation News Vol 71 No 2, February 2009.
External links
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- 1960s British helicopters
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