HMS Somerset, one of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, has returned to sea with the Flying Tigers—Fleet Air Arm’s 814 Naval Air Squadron.
This deployment sees Somerset partnering with its embarked Merlin Mk2 helicopter, “Mohawk Flight,” to carry out vital operational and training exercises, including Helicopter In-Flight Refuelling (HIFR).
HIFR, a complex and demanding procedure, involves a helicopter hovering near the flight deck of a ship while connected via a fuel line to refuel mid-mission. This capability enhances the operational flexibility of both the ship and the aircraft, allowing extended operations without the need to return to base for refuelling.
#HMSSomerset is once again at sea with the Flying Tigers – Mohawk Flight with their Merlin Mk 2 from Fleet Air Arm 814 Naval Air Squadron. Following live Ops the focus has turned to training; Helo In Flight Refueling!#F82 #FleetAirArm #Merlin #FlyingTigers #814NAS #HIFR pic.twitter.com/aN1ZaxuHvW
— HMS Somerset (@HMSSomerset) January 14, 2025
In a social media update, HMS Somerset shared their ongoing training efforts: “Following live Ops, the focus has turned to training; Helo In-Flight Refueling!” The update was accompanied by a dramatic image of the Merlin Mk2 hovering just off the frigate’s deck, with the fuel line visible in action—a testament to the teamwork and precision required to execute such operations.
The Merlin HM Mk2 helicopter is the Royal Navy’s airborne submarine hunter.
Lockheed Martin was the prime contractor responsible for upgrading 30 of the airframes for the Royal Navy, completing the work ahead of time and under budget.
Merlin HM Mk2 crews are now able to operate the helicopter more efficiently and safely, improving the effectiveness of operations. We installed new critical multi-mission capabilities, made improvements to the way the helicopter processes data and provided large touch screen flat panel displays in the cockpits to improve situational awareness.
Since coming into service in 2014, Merlin HM Mk2s have been deployed from a number of platforms including HMS Queen Elizabeth, Type 45 destroyers, Type 23 frigates and RFA vessels. Although its primary role is Anti-Submarine Warfare, the Merlin Mk2 is a versatile airframe that is also used to undertake other tasks from troop transport to humanitarian missions across the globe.
vital skill to have