RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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Pelican
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RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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CROWSNEST-equipped Merlin at RNAS Culdrose yesterday.
Hopefully Crowsnest system issues close to being resolved.
Systems deployed on CSG21 were not fit for operational use.
Full Operating Capability due May 2023.
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HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Pelican
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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Merlin aircrew ready for front-line action after earning coveted Wings

Nine newly qualified Royal Navy helicopter aircrew were handed their wings at a recent parade – including two from a new training programme in ‘Crowsnest’ airborne surveillance and control.
The pilots, observers and aircrewmen were handed the winged badges by Commodore Andrew Rose to show they have completed their training to join the navy’s frontline helicopter squadrons.

Family and friends watched with pride at a special parade held in an aircraft hangar of 824 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose.

The new aviators have all trained how to fly and operate the Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopter, spending many months in the classrooms and simulators as well as the squadron’s aircraft.

Two of the observers have come through a new programme to train the next generation in airborne surveillance and control (ASaC).

They will now join 820 Naval Air Squadron, which is dedicated to protecting the navy’s aircraft carriers, to operate the helicopters adapted for ASaC with a radar fitted to their side. Flying high above the carrier strike group, these helicopters will look for airborne dangers ‘over the horizon’.

Meanwhile, the others will now join anti-submarine warfare crews either with 820, or 814 Naval Air Squadron, which operates off frigates and other ships.

Continues at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... l_s4m-cDiQ
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Pelican
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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Merlin upgrade extends life of RN helicopter to 2030

The Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopters have been upgraded so they can embark on and operate from vessels anywhere in the world.

In total,19 Mk3 aircraft and 6 Mk3a have been upgraded to the Mk4/4a standard to ensure the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) have the capability to provide air support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces.

CHF, the wings of the UK Commando Force, also support the Carrier Strike Group, carry out Search and Rescue operations and can enact counter narcotics and anti-piracy operations, maritime security and hurricane relief support if required.

Continues at - https://des.mod.uk/merlin-upgrade-exten ... elicopter/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Pelican
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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845 Naval Air Squadron

5000 Hours 🎉 🚁

Airframe ZJ121 becomes the first MoD operated Merlin helicopter in history to surpass 5000 flying hours.

Operating with B Flight on Op Achillean, the mighty feat was achieved just before RFA Argus berthed in Malta.

Photos at - https://twitter.com/845NAS/status/1599699965689102339
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Pelican
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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The Year of the Tiger is over...

But what a year for the Royal Navy's own Flying Tigers... flexing their submarine hunting muscles from the Barents Sea to the shadow of Mount Etna and birthplace of aviation.
Now for more in the Year of the Rabbit!

See https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... the-tigers
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Pelican
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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Interview with Merlin helicopter pilot

Commander ‘Grassy’ Knowles gives us the low-down on flying and fighting in this 14-ton Anglo-Italian masterpiece of helicopter design.

See - https://hushkit.net/2023/01/24/intervie ... ter-pilot/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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Merlin Mk4s get 'onesies' (AKA Extreme Cold Weather covers’) to protect them from temperatures as low as -60ºC during Arctic operations.

Allows aircraft to scramble at short notice as avionics, hydraulics, engine and rotors are protected from icing.

Photos at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7503437825
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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Initial work begins on Merlin life-extension studies for Royal Navy

Leonardo Helicopters and Lockheed Martin UK have each been awarded contracts worth £1.8 million ($2.29 million) to evaluate how to keep the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) AW101 Merlin fleet operational until 2040.

Detailed on 4 July, the contract notifications from the Ministry of Defence order the two companies to “undertake a full review of and validation of the obsolescence issues anticipated to arise with the airframes and equipment, together with the associated training aids in the 2030+ timescale in order to extend the out-of-service date of the Merlin Mk2 and Mk4/4a
aircraft”.
Continues at - https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 48.article
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Re: RN Fleet Air Arm: Merlin Helicopters

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Upgrade planned for Merlin HM2 radar

The Ministry of Defence has released a pre-procurement notice on Contracts Finder, dated 25th January 2024, detailing plans for the Royal Navy’s Merlin HM Mk2 aircraft.
The focus is on sourcing radar solutions for the Merlin HM Mk2, aimed at enhancing the aircraft’s capability for helicopter-based surface search, primarily for general maritime surveillance.
Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/upgrade ... hm2-radar/
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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