At the start of the Paris Air Show
Westland announced that they are
collaborating with VFW-Fokker of
Bremen on the design of a new anti-tank
helicopter, the P.277, intended to meet
the West German Army's PAH-2 (Panzer
Abwehr Hubschrauber) requirement.
Employing the Westland Lynx's rotor.
transmission and twin Rolls-Royce Gem
4 engines, the P.277 would have a maximum
mission weight of 9,500 lb., cruise
at 150 kt., climb at 2,650 ft./min., and
have a range of 315 naut. miles.
All-weather/night capability, nap-of-the-
earth agility and high speed are
regarded as essential features and the
two-crew P.277 could be armed with
eight HOT or TOW missiles and a 20/30mm.
cannon in a chin turret, or twin
rocket pods, MATRA 550 missiles, and
a 7.62-mm. gun. Entry into service would
be around 1985-6.