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Royal Navy / Fleet Air Arm
Merlin HC3 / HC3A / HC3i Commando Helicopter
(AgustaWestland - now Leonardo AW101)
 
 
merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 104 leonardo

 
10/20
The British Royal Navy's final order was for 44 ASW aircraft, originally designated Merlin HAS.1 but soon changed to Merlin HM1. The first fully operational Merlin was delivered on 17 May 1997, entering service on 2 June 2000. All aircraft were delivered by the end of 2002, and are operated by 3 Fleet Air Arm squadrons: 814 NAS, 820 NAS, 824 NAS and 829 NAS (now disbanded and merged with 814 NAS), all based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall. 700 NAS was the Merlin Operational Evaluation Unit from 2000 to 2008. In March 2004, Navy Merlins were temporarily grounded following an incident at RNAS Culdrose in which a tail rotor failed due to a manufacturing defect. An improved tail rotor was designed and adopted on most AW101s; according to AgustaWestland, the redesigned rotor also significantly reduced associated maintenance.

In 1995, it was announced that the Navy's Westland Lynx helicopters would be retired in favour of an all-Merlin fleet. However, the subsequent Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 stated that the future naval helicopters would be the Merlin and the Wildcat, a derivative of the Lynx. Royal Navy Merlins have seen action in the Caribbean, on counter-narcotics and hurricane support duties, as well as maritime security duties in the Persian Gulf. Merlins have also seen active duty in Iraq, providing support to British and coalition forces based in the region.

The Merlin HM1 has been cleared to operate from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, Type 23 frigates and several Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels including the Fort Victoria class; it is also to equip the Type 45 destroyer. 30 aircraft have been upgraded to Merlin HM2 standard under the £750m Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme; Lockheed Martin UK delivered the final HM2 on 11 July 2016. The HM2 has a new mission system, digital cockpit, electro-optical camera and multi-static processing for the sonar system. The HM2 performed its first ship-borne test flight in September 2012 and achieved IOC on 30 June 2014, after nine HM2 had flown 480 hours from Illustrious during Exercise Deep Blue earlier that month. It was also reported that some of the eight airframes not scheduled to be upgraded for financial reasons may be updated. Five HM2s are in maintenance at any one time, leaving 25 available at readiness, of which 14 will be assigned to the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier.

In addition to its anti-submarine role, the HM2 will be able to carry an airborne early warning (AEW) pod under procurement through the Crowsnest programme to replace the Sea King ASaC7. In September 2011, Thales UK proposed re-using Sea King ASaC7 equipment, such as the Searchwater 2000, on the Merlin; Lockheed Martin has proposed developing a new multi-functional sensor for either the AW101 or other aircraft. Lockheed originally planned to use a derivative of the F-35's APG-81 radar but is now believed to be using an Elta system; both it and the Thales system will begin flight trials in the summer of 2014 with Main Gate in 2016. Ten pods are planned with IOC in 2019. On 22 May 2015, The MOD and Lockheed Martin UK, as the prime contractor for Crowsnest, selected Thales as the chosen bidder to provide the radar and mission system at the heart of the Crowsnest capability.

On 15 December 2009, plans were announced to transfer RAF Merlin HC3s and HC3As to the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force to replace retiring Sea King HC4 helicopters. The Sea King was set to retire in 2016, leaving the Navy operating a combination of the Wildcat and Merlin. 846 NAS reformed with ex-RAF Merlin HC3s on 30 September 2014; 845 NAS followed on 9 July 2015. On 25 May 2018, the first of 25 converted Royal Marines Commando Merlin Mk4/4A were delivered to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton. In July 2020, the Merlin HM2 and HC4/4A helicopters were planned to be in service until 2029 and 2030, respectively. On 11 June 2021, it was confirmed that their Out of Service Date (OSD) had been moved to 2040.


845 and 846 NAS received Merlin HC3s/HC3As to replace the retiring Sea Kings in 2014 and 2015. 846 NAS took their Merlin HC3s on 30 September 2014; 845 NAS followed on 9 July 2015. These are being upgraded to the Merlin HC4/4A as part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP). The Merlin HC4 has a grey colour scheme, not the dark green colour of the "Junglie" Sea Kings.


Variants:
Merlin HM1: Royal Navy designation for the Model 111.
Merlin HM2: Avionics retrofit of 30 HM1s for the Royal Navy.
Merlin HC3: Royal Air Force designation for the Model 411.
Merlin HC3A: Royal Air Force designation for six former Royal Danish Air Force Model 512s modified to UK standards.

Merlin HC3i: Royal Navy will fit seven HC3 with folding rotor heads as an interim (3i) measure until the full HC4 upgrade is available.
Merlin HC4/4A: The conversion of 25 RAF HC3/3A for RN use in hand with the first flight taking place in November 2016. HM2 cockpit, folding tail/blades and other adaptations for naval use.


Specifications (Merlin HM1):
Length: 19.53 m (64 ft 1 in) fuselage
Height: 6.62 m (21 ft 9 in)
Empty weight: 10,500 kg (23,149 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 14,600 kg (32,187 lb)
Powerplant: 3 x Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01 turboshaft engines, 1,566 kW (2,100 hp) each (take-off power)
Main rotor diameter: 18.59 m (61 ft 0 in)
Main rotor area: 271.51 m2 (2,922.5 sq ft)

Performance:
Cruise speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn)
Never exceed speed: 309 km/h (192 mph, 167 kn)
Range: 833 km (518 mi, 450 nmi)
Endurance: 5 hours
Service ceiling: 4,575 m (15,010 ft)

Crew: 3-4
Capacity:  26 troops (38 passengers) or 5 tonnes of payload or 4 stretchers (with dipping sonar array removed) for Merlin HM1;
30 seated troops or 45 standing fully equipped combat troops, or 3,050 kg (6,724 lb) of internal payload, 5,520 kg (12,169 lb) of external payload

source: wikipedia
 
images
Merlin HC3A / HC3i / HC3
 
> LINK > successor: Merlin HC4 Commando Helicopter


merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 73

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 77

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 75

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 78

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 74

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 76

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 39

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 63

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 20

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 42

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 71

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 61

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 72

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 79

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 19

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 23

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 62

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 43

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 36

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 16

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 100

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 80

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 21

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 47

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 17

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 83

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 44



merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 38

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 35

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 34

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 95

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 02

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 37

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 84

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 22

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 96

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 58

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 52

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 89

merlin hc3i hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 59

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 70

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 87

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 90

merlin hc3i hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 92

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 68

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 82

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 97

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 98



merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 07

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 88

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 04

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 05

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 03

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 08

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 41

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 86

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 40

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 85

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 69

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 48

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 64

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 10

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 11

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 33

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 94

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 93

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 32

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 46

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 30

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 31

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 29

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 28

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 106

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 103

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 101

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 102

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 81

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 49

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 50

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 51

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 14

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 18

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 12

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 99

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 09

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 13

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 24

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 53

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 105

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 91

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 67

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 66

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 65

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 109

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 110

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 108

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 06

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 27

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 26

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 25



merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines 107 cockpit view

merlin hc3 hc3a mk.3 commando helicopter aw101 force chf royal navy 845 846 naval air squadron rnas yeovilton agusta westland marines cockpit view inside 54


> LINK > successor: Merlin HC4 Commando Helicopter
 
 
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