MERLIN TURNS IN WIZARD PERFORMANCE IN LATEST TRIALS

24 May 2000

The Royal Navy's new EH101 Merlin Mk1 helicopter has returned from its latest series of trials having demonstrated once again that it is the most advanced system of its kind in the world today. Merlin Prime Contractor and Systems Integrator Lockheed Martin UK has announced that trials to test the submarine fighting capability of the Merlin System were highly successful and completed in less time than expected.

The trials were conducted at the Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) on Andros Island in the Bahamas. The US-managed facility provides the perfect deep-water instrumented environment in which to detect, hunt, locate and attack submarines. The trials involved three Merlin HM Mk1 aircraft supported by a team of up to 65 personnel including representatives from the RN and DERA as well as an industry team including staff from Lockheed Martin and their subcontractors. The largest contingent was EH101 manufacturer GKN Westland Helicopters of Yeovil. Three Merlin Operational Development Crews (MODC) seconded from the Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) flew the aircraft during the trials.

Six major tests and nearly 200 flight hours were completed during the AUTEC trials. Merlin achieved excellent reliability throughout, with a flying rate of 60 hours per aircraft over a 30 day period. Productivity and efficiency was also high, with aircraft achieving its data gathering objectives in 176 flying hours, 72% of the 245 hours it was predicted to take. One of the most significant tests was the deployment of the Stingray torpedo by Merlin. A total of eight torpedoes, each fitted with telemetry systems instead of live warheads, were successfully dropped during the trials. In addition, some 800 sonobuoys were deployed.

In similar trials last year, Merlin was so successful in localising the target submarine and prosecuting its simulated attacks that the submarine commander was heard to comment that he was glad Merlin will be on the same side when it enters into full service!

Speaking on completion of trials, Lockheed Martin's Merlin Test Director Joe Harland said "These trials were unique in that we were contracted to conduct Operational Trials. Proving the capability of the system in front of our customer using real ships, submarines and aircraft rather than simulated scenarios is very satisfying. With system performance and test efficiency better than required, we were able to turn the assets and range time over to the customer for freeplay, which allowed them to start new tactics development roughly a year earlier than planned."

Lt. Cdr. Al Howden (RN), officer-in-charge of the MODC crews that took part in the trials said "There is nothing out there that can match what we have been doing with Merlin at AUTEC."

The AUTEC tests are the latest in what has been a very successful series of Merlin Trials. In April, the system was involved in the Ship Helicopter Operational Limit (SHOL) trials on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Argus and in February the PRISM' deck handling system was successfully tested using a Merlin HM Mk1 on the type 23 frigate, HMS Lancaster. Future tests include proving the anti-surface warfare capability of the system in a series of trials in the Outer Hebrides.

Lockheed Martin was awarded the £1.5B Merlin programme in 1991 and is under contract to supply 44 Merlin Weapons Systems to the Royal Navy. Merlin is scheduled to enter full operational service in January 2002. In March of this year, deliveries of the Merlin System reached the halfway mark when RN22 was handed over to the Defence Procurement Agency at the Yeovil site of GKN Westland Helicopters.

For additional information on GKN plc Visit: www.gknplc.com 

For additional information on GKN Westland Helicopters Ltd, visit: www.gkn-whl.co.uk 

For further information, please contact:

Chris Trippick
Communications and PR Programme Manager
Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems
Langstone Technology Park
Havant Hampshire
PO9 1SA

Tel: (023) 9244 3739 Email: chris.trippick@lmco.com