RN Merlin makes its flying debut

One of the most eagerly awaited and exciting aircraft of its type, the Merlin HM Mk1, will make its flying debut at Farnborough '98.

2 September 1998

The Royal Navy's new multi-mission helicopter will make its inaugural flight on the first day of this year's show - it will be the first time that a production model of this state-of-the-art helicopter, due to enter service with the Royal Navy later this year, has flown at a major airshow.

The Mk1 Merlin is the most advanced system of its kind. Designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, it is a highly versatile machine with secondary missions that include search and rescue, troop transportation and vertical replenishment.

A variant of the hugely successful EH101, it features a series of advanced mission systems including sonar, data link ESM and radar which enables it to carry out its ASW/AsuW role.

Seven Merlin systems have already been delivered to the MOD by RN Merlin Prime Contractor, Lockheed Martin ASIC and GKN Westland Helicopters Ltd. These aircraft are currently being used for flight test, technical manual validation, pilot training and electro-magnetic compatibility evaluations.

Lockheed Martin will deliver a total of 44 Merlin systems to the Royal Navy by 2001.