BAE to Make Future Lynx Seats

BAE Systems' Phoenix unit has won a contract to develop and provide crashworthy seats for the U.K.'s Future Lynx aircraft. The company said deliveries of 140 seats are slated for 2011 through 2016 under the contract with AgustaWestland. AgustaWestland has a £1-billion ($1.9 billion) order from the U.K. Defence Ministry for 70 Future Lynx--40 battlefield reconnaissance versions for the British Army and 30 surface combatant maritime helicopters for the Royal Navy. The first monolithic panel for the first Future Lynx was milled last week by Oldland in Bristol, England. "More than 30 years of experience in innovative design and dynamic testing to crash-type conditions has gone into the development of our energy-absorbing seats," said Don Dutton, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems, Occupant Protection Programs. For related news