Westland Wasp

HAS1 Anti-Submarine Helicopter


Wasp HAS1


The Wasp was based on the Army Scout helicopter and originally named Sea Scout. Many trials were carried out with prototype aircraft to asses the viability of operating small helicopters in an anti-submarine roll off frigates. When these trials were shown to be a success, greatly increasing a ship's ASW capability, the RN ordered the Wasp HAS1.

The first production HAS1 was delivered in 1963. The type served on RN frigates until the late 1970's when it was replaced by the Lynx, but it had a reprieve in 1982 when several old frigates, incapable of operating the Lynx, were recommissioned due to the Falklands war. It was finally withdrawn from service when the last of the older frigates decommissioned in 1988.

98 Wasp HAS1 were built for the RN.

Dimensions: Rotor diameter 9.83 m (32ft 3in) ; Length 12.29 m (40ft 4in) ; Height 2.72 m (8ft 11in) ; Rotor Disc Area 75.89 sq.m (816.87 sq.ft)
Weights: Empty 1566 kg (3,452 lb) ; Maximum Take-off 2495 kg (5,500 lb)
Powerplant: one Rolls Royce Nimbus Mk 103 turboshaft - 529 kW (710 shp) (derated) maximum power.
Performance: Maximum cruising speed 111 mph (179 kph, 96 kt)
Armament: up to 245 kg (540 lb) of external stores including 2 lightweight torpedoes or AShMs.