AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that
the first five AW101 Merlin HM Mk 2 helicopters have been delivered
to the Royal Navy's 824 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose in
Southwest England. A ceremony was held today at RNAS Culdrose to celebrate
the formation of the Navy's first Merlin HM Mk.2 equipped squadron.
The delivery of these aircraft, which have been upgraded as part of
a £750M AgustaWestland and Lockheed Martin led contract, marks
a significant programme milestone for industry, the Royal Navy Fleet
Air Arm and the UK Ministry of Defence. |
Fitted
with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and improved aircrew mission console
and avionics, the Merlin HM Mk 2 has advanced touch screen displays,
and an improved ability to detect and track targets and share data with
other aircraft and ships while airborne. These and equipment improvements
will also enable the helicopters to carry out counter piracy and casualty
evacuation roles. Thirty Merlin Mk1 helicopters are being converted
to Mk2s by AgustaWestland at its Yeovil facility, supported by prime
contractor Lockheed Martin. Following the completion of trials the first
helicopters are expected to be ready to deploy on operations by summer
2014. Delivery of all 30 Merlin HM Mk2s will be completed in 2015.
Ray Edwards, Managing Director, AgustaWestland, said “The success
of this complex programme has been achieved by strong collaboration
between industry, the Ministry of Defence and the end user. We are delighted
this programme is on budget and on schedule to deliver a world class
front line capability for the Royal Navy.” Jeff Streznetcky, Vice
President and Group Managing Director, Lockheed Martin UK Integrated
Systems, said ‘The Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme (MCSP)
represents a magnificent team effort led by Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestland,
supported by our suppliers, to provide the Royal Navy with unrivalled
capability to carry out its anti-submarine patrol and policing requirement.’
Commodore Andy Lison RN, responsible for the Merlin, Lynx and Sea King
teams for the MOD’s Defence, Equipment and Support Organisation,
said “I am delighted that we are now firmly in the delivery phase
of the project. The Merlin Mk 2 is a truly exceptional aircraft and
the programme to develop and build this aircraft has brought together
the very best of the MOD and defence industry to future-proof this vital
capability for Defence.” Commander Ben Franklin RN, the Commanding
Officer of The Merlin Helicopter Force said “I am extremely proud
to be leading the Merlin Force during this period. The delivery of the
first five aircraft to the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm is a real
milestone of this successful programme which will provide vital support
to the Navy as it fulfils its role in protecting UK interests across
the Globe.” |
