The Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopters have been upgraded.
The aircraft have been updated by Leonardo Helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) negotiated by DE&S.
DE&S say here that 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”.
“Key upgrades include a new folding main rotor head and folding tail which allows two of the aircraft to fit on just one of the carriers’ aircraft lifts, and an improved defensive aid suite with a system that warns against and locates hostile laser guided weapons. These upgrades mean that many consider the Merlin Mk4/4A to be the worlds most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter.”
Captain Nick Sargent RN, the Merlin Team Leader at DE&S, was quoted as saying:
“Delivery of the Merlin Mk4/4A and the associated Synthetic Training Environment within budget has been a challenging programme for the combined enterprise but has resulted in increased Availability, improved Capability and a sustainable world beating helicopter for UK Defence. I am proud of the collective team achievements through this demanding programme.”
Additionally, a synthetic trainer includes two new pilot simulators, a procedures trainer and a rear crew training device, employing augmented reality systems.
How many Merlins do we have in total?
25 Mk4/4a and 30 HM2 (the ASW/Crowsnest version) with 5 or 6 HM1 in storage that were not modified to HM2.
Wonder if this extension could lead into the new navalised version of MV286 Valor? Chosen for US military medium lift and utility role
The MOD was very keen however with Protector now coming in STOL configuration and offering a AEW and ISR platform at over 30,000ft it’s become less attractive to them.
Money was put aside to keep Merlin going up to 2040 in last year’s equipment plan (I haven’t read the recently issued one yet). I’d hope that any MV280s would be from a different budget, releasing Crowsnest back to ASW.
For transport, the Valor should be in service with the US by then, replacing their BlackHawks, so it would seem like an obvious choice.
For AEW there should be high-endurance drones to replace Crowsnest long before then. Either the STOL version of the SkyGuardian (aka Protector) or perhaps the Bell Vigilant tiltrotor drone.
I’m 100% that RN need persistent drone AEW and ASW even without carriers about.
However, the drones would need to be high endurance as well has having a high power generating capacity. Or being able to lift a compact power pack and fuel without compromising endurance.
Yes the power requirements for AEW will probably be the biggest determinant as to which drone is selected. That’s why the Vigilant, if Bell develop it, would probably be the better bet. That said, the Valour is very autonomous in its flying already, and that would certainly have no issues with regards to power generation.
Is it power or bandwidth? UAVs need an incredible amount of bandwidth for data download and processing.
Electrical power.
I can’t see us going for either. Augusta or whatever they are now called will put up a stink about lost jobs and the goverment will cave.
Leonardo already have an agreement with Bell on tiltrotors. In short “Augusta-Westland” is civilian only when it comes to tiltrotors. So I think it would be possible for them to manufactuer MV-280 in Yeovil under licence if that’s what we wanted, without Bell worrying about them stealing IP.
It all depends on what the USMC want to do about marinisation.
What will be the fate of the HM1 hangar queens? Almost intuitively obvious course to bring up to standard, unless airframes compromised. Low hanging fruit, really. Obviously, something influenced decision. Lack of identified funding? If so, someone needs to raise issue to BW’s level, in order that he can bulldoze whatever and whomever is an impediment.
Attrition reserve.
I doubt it.
I think it was cash flow management at the time.
RN budgets were crazily pinched and the absolute minimum of everything was being done.
I agree that now it would make sense to fix up the HM1’s but they are totally stripped.
Question is would it be cheaper to rebuild them than to order new build?
Yes, but couldn’t the right individual(s) use the presumed mandate to ‘make what is already owned operational’ as license to present a plan to refurbish said hangar queens, whether the number is five or twelve? The worst outcome would to be denied, but that would certainly become fodder for inclusion in a putative Pearl Harbor file, and intelligent politicians who understand current circumstances would not wish to leave incriminating fingerprints on such a decision. “Never get angry; get even.”
…would be denial…🙄
They have probably had that many parts removed for spares they are beyond airworthy.
Do we purchase any in a given year? To mee it would seem sensible that we buy 1-2 a year a drop feed these keeps production line going.
We have not bought any new ones since 2002, we bought some from Denmark in 2007 second hand.
Is the production line still open?
I believe 44 ASW variants were acquired, of which two were written off. With 30 in service, circa 12 are in storage.
I remember seeing this article a while back.
So, 2030 or 2040?
11 June 2021
“The Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper identified Merlin Mk2 and Mk4 as forming part of the Royal Navy’s contribution to Integrated Force 2030, with an extended [out-of-service date] of 2040. As such, there is no follow-on programme required at this time,” the MoD states.”
https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/uk-extends-merlin-operations-until-2040/144123.article
Yep 7 years away, is not that far away. Hopefully 2040 as you say.
If it is ‘the worlds most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter.”’ then I would hope it had a longer useful life than 2030!
They were manufactured between 1997 and 2002 and they have had a hard life as the UK has been very active right across that period. The helicopter itself is still state of the art and could very much replace itself with new airframes but by 2040 it’s going to be over 40 years old.
Personally I would like to see us develop a medium helicopter between a lynx and a Merlin along the lines of the NH90 but without the problems that could perform all the roles we need and be nought In numbers by all three services.
This article seems to be about the marine helicopters. I would think it’s going to pushed past 2030. A replacement will require funding and time get designs done, tested built etc.
Perhaps Italy will need a new sub Hunter as well at the same time. Great project for leonardo to work on. For the work a merlin does it’s mainly about time on station, sensors, payload, ability to operate from ships at sea.
With the current financial crisis and the time it takes to design a suitable replacement 2040 would be the better option.
I’m guessing that the next generation will already be on the drawing board and the most likely candidate would be Leonardo.
2040 will also be the right time to replace the new Apaches, so I wouldn’t rule out something like Valor.
Great news. Fantastic helicopter, excellent capability. And nice to see it coming in on budget. 🇬🇧
Great cab and indeed good on the budget front.
But is this just about the Mk4/4a’s?
Was the 2040 comment about the HM2’s?
All a bit murky for my tastes….
Not sure to be honest. But 2040 seems more realistic after an extensive upgrade, but then again, the original Merlin Mk3 was in RAF service from 2001. So those 19 airframes are already 20 odd years old.
For me it is obvious they will be extended, augmented by the new drones they have planned.
You are probably correct mate 👍
I hope so!
Hi DM- I believe 44 ASW variants were acquired, of which two were written off. With 30 in service, it seems a waste that 12 are in storage. Must be a crew and operating cost constraint . Perhaps more of these are designated for Crownest conversion?
Hi mate. The unconverted HM1s are stripped for spares and not in great condition I understand.
Yes – bought 44, 2 lost, 30 updated to HM2.
I’d hoped to see the remainder used as dedicated ASCS platforms in 849 NAS but I think that ship sailed many years ago.
As it is, 849s Sea Kings were never replaced and the reduced Merlin force has the ASCS mission as well as ASW.
The usual more with less.
Thanks DM- yep same old more with less, but according to the MOD “more agile”😁
For both marks out to 2040 and beyond. SeaKings are still around and not forgetting working in the harshest environment, at sea. Just a few more would be good to get a third Unit with Commando Force and another with the pingers. Dark Blue Rule 😎
I am not casting doubt on the ability for Merlins to serve out to 2040 with appropriate upgrades.
What I am casting doubt on are the budgets and the will….
If the B52 can last 75 years what are the things that will cause this from being unusable after just half that?
If it’s a good airframe and the operators like it would it be possible to just keep upgrading it?
It’s the Ship of Theseus / Triggers Broom paradox…
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/09/27/the-us-air-force-is-gradually-rebuilding-its-b-52-bombers-from-the-rivets-out/?sh=266ba4b34a35
Great news, it’s been one of the real success stories moving the Merlin’s from the RAF and Army to replace the Sea Kings. Would be nice to see AAR
probes added and configuration for our A400M to do helicopter refueling. This would give us a better CSAR capability. Hopefully we see sea vixen or some other drone capability added to replace CROWSNEST soon to free up Merlin’s for ASW work. With the failure of NH90 Merlin is a real stand out now in terms of Maritime Helicopters.
Merlin seems very highly thought of but relatively lightly adopted. Do we know why it hasn’t become the global standard for maritime (and especially anti-submarine) helicopters?
OT, meanwhile…AUKUS meeting/ministerial discussion is proceeding at senior commander and Minister of Defense/ Defense Sec. level in D.C. Press releases are the expected platitudes, but there is reference to hypersonic and underseas research cooperation, among other areas. Confident the outline of the submarine and underseas ISR program roadmap will presumably surface (sorry, couldn’t resist 😁) in March; uncertain re other areas.
From the sounds of it while the ‘plan’ wont be published in Australia until the New Year, possibly as late as March; In Washington the AUKUS meeting were agreeing the findings of the fact-finding committee, i.e. the broadstrokes strategy/options shortlist.
Predict the plan, including the options shortlist may well prove to be a compelling and fascinating read, especially at the classified level.
Australia for B21 and SSN(R) and Japan for tempest. Could be a great week to really f**k up the ChinComs.
Fingers crossed however I suspect the good news we have had in the UK over the last few weeks will be it file us for a while until we clear the credit card bill.
What I wouldn’t give for a President willing and able to make an ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ speech ala FDR, and then propose building HUNDREDS of B-21s/yr., equipped w/ full panoply of munitions, including hypersonics. Present the same basic case for SSN(X), then sit back and enjoy the ChiCom response. Priceless.
Let’s try to deal in reality shall we…..
Didn’t claim it would be a reality, given the current state of US politics. Simply a desire to inconvenience the ChiComs on their path to world domination.
We say that to you all the time chippy.
I always love the UK press releases… Everything is “world beating”.. a couple dozen helicopters that were moderately updated. And the airframes are old… But whatever…..
The world beating comes from it being one of the best helicopters at its size and weight, range etc. it’s world beating due to lack of comparable helicopters that are better than it. I can’t think of helicopters that are equal or better at what the merlin does.
Well it is in the right hands now to be able to show off what it could do. RAF just had no idea of how to operate it as they never had anything that size, the Puma (too small for anything worth while except small SF groups) or Chinook (which is large but with such a large fleet again not deployed on mass + the dark blue that fly it push it to its limits in all weather including taking it to sea) light blue like clear skies to operate.
in relation to the showing off part, I could hardly believe that Home Secretary showed up to the Kent immigration centre in a chinook a while back! When the government request military stuff the forces should send the worst. Trip to Kent. Bring a gazelle, trip in an armoured vehicle, bring out the worst, dirtiest piece of junk.
Seems it’s our Portuguese comrades agenda to try and wind people up at the moment🙄 he must be feeling lonely and all left out.
Oh dear, sad and simple is here again, with his jealous chip on his chubby shoulder.