The Westland Lynx is a helicopter designed by Westl&, first flying on 21 March 1971. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil & naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield & naval variants, which went into operational usage in 1977, Initial production version for the British Army Air Corps, & were later adopted by the armed forces of over a dozen nations. The helicopter is now produced & marketed by Agusta Westl&.