The British Ministry of Defense, on behalf of the Royal Navy, Got the latest updated AW101 Mk4/4a Merlin Helicopters. This was confirmed by Leonardo, through its subsidiary in the country, on January 11th.
In late 2000, The Royal Navy found it necessary to replace its aging Sea King Mk 4 helicopters, used to transport special operations forces. In view of this situation, the authorities decided to transfer a number of Merlin HC3 and HC3A helicopters from the Royal Air Force (RAF) for use by the Royal Navy Royal Air Force (CHF).
in this way, The transfer of the aircraft will be accompanied by the special maintenance program carried out by Leonardo. named b Merlin Life Sustainability Programthe project would mean modernizing 25 AW101 Merlin’s to be brought to Mk4/4a version.
Among the major modifications received by the previous RAF Merlins was the installation of a new collapsible main rotor, as well as the tail section concerned with the same characteristics as in helicopters. These are essential for their operation and deployment from the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers or Albion-class landing craft.. In turn, the modernization program included a major avionics upgrade; It was based on technologies developed and applied in other Royal Navy helicopters. More precisely, on the AW159 Wildcat.
As reported by Leonardo on January 11, the AW101 has “The new glass-panel cockpit display system with five separate displays enables multi-function displays that can display animated maps with tactical symbol overlays, photoelectric camera images, or a readout of the aircraft’s engine and electrical systems. In addition, the aircraft was fitted with a new fast tether beam allowing rapid deployment of Special Forces (SF) from the main cabin door; So this opens up a new SF support role for the aircraft“.
With the delivery of its newest AW101 Mk4/4a Merlin helicopter, the Royal Navy has completed a program that has spanned nearly a decade. Initial operational capability for the aircraft in the Royal Navy was reached in March 2016, with the first deliveries of the helicopters in the i-Mk3 configuration. However, full operational capability will arrive with the Mk4/4a version by the end of 2024; As Leonardo pointed out in his official statement.
*Images used for illustration: Royal Navy credits.
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