The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a £1 million contract to Lockheed Martin UK and Leonardo Helicopters UK to conduct the Assessment Phase of the Merlin Out of Service Date Extension Programme (OSDEP).
This phase evaluates how the Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopter fleet can remain operational until 2040, extending their service life by an additional decade beyond their originally scheduled retirement.
Merlin helicopters, which entered service in 1999, have been a cornerstone of the Royal Navy’s and Royal Marines’ aviation capabilities and are a major component of the UK’s maritime and amphibious capability.
The Merlin Mk2 helicopters, operated by the Merlin Helicopter Force based at RNAS Culdrose, are primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare and are equipped with Stingray torpedoes.
In addition to their core mission, these helicopters are versatile enough to undertake casualty evacuations, transport under-slung loads, conduct search and rescue operations, and perform various contingency tasks. The Merlin Mk2s are deployed globally on Royal Navy ships, providing critical maritime force protection.
Meanwhile, the Merlin Mk4/4a helicopters, operated by the Commando Helicopter Force at RNAS Yeovilton, are known as one of the world’s most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopters.
These aircraft provide essential air support to the Royal Marines, offering tactical mobility and aviation support for amphibious operations. Under the command of Joint Helicopter Command, the Commando Helicopter Force maintains a high readiness state, prepared to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice.
The ongoing Assessment Phase under the OSDEP programme will involve a thorough evaluation of the technical upgrades and structural modifications necessary to keep the Merlin fleet operational until 2040.
This phase follows an earlier concept stage in which Lockheed Martin and Leonardo were tasked with identifying and mitigating potential obsolescence issues in the Merlin HM2 and Merlin HC4/4a aircraft. As the assessment progresses, it will pave the way for a full-scale upgrade programme expected to begin soon.
Life extension. On the one hand it could be argued it gives more value from the initial purchase. On the other hand it means a decade down the line we have elderly kit clinging on to life whilst it’s replacement fails to materialise, then the inevitable serviceability and availability issues.
Where the MOD are concerned I tend to take the second viewpoint. I’d rather just get on with planning for the replacement instead of delaying what needs to be done.
I am with you. It’s nearing It’s life end. I am not seeing anything better out there. Why not look to order like for like. One million on jobs for the boys. Let’s skip all the committees, reviews and fact finding trips. It works but new ones. No long winded conversions for ground or aircrew. No need to trial on each type of ship. Buy now.
Works for Chinooks and Apaches, like you say why not Merlin’s?
Yes, I can’t see any reason to go the whole brand new design with everything in place to just build more.
The financial benefit alone makes it seem the right way to go.
But our new Apaches- are not brand new but rebuilt and upgraded old airframes. If that works for Apache, why not do the same for Merlin. Better still, why not buy some more as well?
I wonder if this means Crowsnest will stay in service beyond 2029.
I think the issue with crowsnest is that it does not really work for what the RN need…I don’t think they will keep crowsnest…they simply went to cheap with a revamp of something that was to old.
Crowsnest is a whole different black hole. Somebody gambled on a long term option arriving to provide fixed wing capability without paying for fixed wing capability. Predictably nobody has figured out how to provide something for which the tech simply does not exist.
Thet are actually new airframes with only limited kit coming over form the ‘s old AH1’s and the US and many other users of both types have been doing this for decades so could do same for Merlin. However we do need more of both with the Mk’s being undated once more and additional airframes purchased (10-20) and given a missile to shot too please. Mk4’s with another 10+ to form a third squadron for the force. Could easily see them flying into the 2060’s which as we can see the Sea King did with its updates over the years… Read more »
At sea things corrode much more quickly, as anyone who knows about these things will tell you.
No problem mate, the Chinooks and Apaches were new build,but the Chinooks obviously serve beside the older ones so buy and replace Merlin as and when.
Indeed at large medium naval rotors go it’s still really on the edge of best. So just build replacements….
Sometime ago I outlined a new build build Merlin that could provide more lift capability and reduced maintenance costs. Basically, keep the aircraft as is but use just two of the more powerful engines that are now available. This would require a new gear box obviously, but with only two drive inputs instead of three it should be significantly simpler and dare I say cheaper? This move could also address the hanger queen reputation that Merlin has in some circles… The only changes I would allow would be around the change in power and weight due to the switch from… Read more »
Completely agree with buying a Batch 2 of both versions, but slightly more of both. I don’t see any of the current users whingeing about the like the NH90 users do. So why not speak to Italy, Japan and Poland about a Batch 2 block buy. The NMH is turning into a bit of a fiasco as producers are struggling with the costs due to reduced volumes and may be backing out of it altogether. If it’s an international block buy, our dear leaders are way less likely to reduce the numbers contracted for due to the cost whiplash effect… Read more »
Main problem is what availability rate will look like as they get older. Their is already far too few of them. If you look at the availability rates of other equipment with extended life it doesn’t look pretty.
Will end up like the FV432.
But they never learn, they seem incapable of it.
I’m sure it’s got nothing to do with not knowing the out of service date and more to do with lack of funds.
Where the money is all going is the question.
I fully agree. There should be good predictability about the service life of new equipment at the outset of a new project. Equipment should be upgraded in service, then replaced at the end of its forecast and planned service life. We seem to do a lot of life extension to the point where it gets ridiculous – running on certain AFVs for example to the 50 or 60 year point. No wonder we spend so much on Equipment Support (maintenance), as MoD is happy to run equipmet on and on and finally opt for Life Extension rather than timely replacement.… Read more »
The 6 nation (including the UK) NGRC program is aimed at developing a Merlin replacement. The UK lead phase 1.
Stop messing about and buy something that works and has already lasted. Give the rest to Ukraine or keep them in store for reserve. The amount should be 1/3 more than needed. We still use Chinooks which is a far older model.
There is still nothing in service or on the horizon that’s better than Merlin and the eventual replacement will be unmanned.
No point in wasting a few billion for a new helicopter to provide an interim capability.
I never mentioned an interim capability.
The UK should fund 2 new AW101 prototypes. One with T901 & the other with Aneto 1K engines. Neither Labour nor the Conservatives would fund this though.
Another lifex sustainability program; what could possibly go wrong 🙂
Seriously, we should buy some more.
😆👍
“Amphibious Battlefield Helicopter” , Me being a bit thick again ?
Don’t think so mate. I think it’s them. 😉
Have you not seen the article about it turning into a speedboat. Tsk tsk, you gotta keep up!
Silly me, I was wondering if they had a flotation skirt and duplex drive, not sure if that would work !
It is worded that way as the Merlins of the CHF ( 845,846 NAS ) support amphibious operations by the RM.
OK thanks, It’s not worded that well then.
Good, maybe BUT new medium helicopter programme?? Maybe I’m just used to bad news. 😏
What’s this!?
Chat appears to be in agreement, replace them with new builds incorporating all lessons learned during their operation. Buy more.
About sum it up?
“Chat appears to be in agreement”, It’s early yet, wait until the ring pulls and corks get pulled later !, I normally get out of here way before happy hour and just see where it all went bad in the morning !
Got some great screen shots from a few days back, it pays to keep records when threats are made !!!
Lol, joking 😁
Hi folks hope all is well.
Well I suppose if this keeps good kit going a bit longer then the better. On a similar flight theme, there’s an article in the Telegraph about possible reduction in the order of F35B under the review. How this fits in with an increase in the defence budget “when the economy allows ” or whatever Labour speak is.
Cheers
George
🙄 Typical
How can you cut the order for F35’s, we haven’t even got past 48 of the 138 that were supposed to be the life time number ?
Topping out F-35B numbers at 48 would be a significant decision. Is that the price of Tempest, AUKUS and T32? Is Ms Reeves drive for current year savings pre-empting the outcome of the defence review? Cutting F35 numbers could just mean pushing some fiscal year 2024 deliveries into 2025. It is the Daily Telegraph after all.
Hang on, we have a poster on here who has direct access to Rachael Reeves, let’s see what he knows about this. 🤔
The rumour is that HM Treasury will not fund a further 26 F-35 and Tempest development. They say it is one or other. I expect a fudge ie. they cut the new F-35 buy to 14 to replace early F-35 that are not upgradeable, & carry on with Tempest.
I would go with the fudge. It’s the British way 🙂 And I’ll bet it will mean we lose the T1 Typhoons.
Only a handful of T1’s still in service.
The UK MIC will ALWAYS be given priority over the armed forces of the day.
Tempest development goes ahead, something goes now.
Then, a few years down the line it is downsized amid further reductions.
Watch. It has always been the same for decades now and this lot show no sign of being any different.
Sad, but true.
The failure to buy the second half of tranche 3 RAF Typhoon (48 jets) & the early scrapping of 30 tranche 1, mean even if we replace Typhoon with Tempest, one for one, it will still be low numbers.
Absolutley John ! 👌
Been saying that for decades now, even got told off on here many times for having concerns, funny how I got told off yet now people are saying the exact same. ! Tornado, Typhoon, F35 always getting told off ! .
I guess that’s all part of being a non serving Civvy on a non serving Civvy owned and run site ?
No disagreement from me. IMHO, RAF front line jet sqns have been more disadvantaged (cuts) then the RN for example.
The same paper that was pushing rising the inheritance tax threshold to £5million as a major requirement
There is the problem on life ex,how many of the fleet do you lose at any one time? and we all know it will take yonks to complete by which time the first ones are going to be knackered again!
Build more. You will need them in the next few years, so reopen the production line and be happy. Refurbing them is a waste of time and money. Nearly always is.
Brilliant, if they deem it feasible to extend by 10 years we can safely say that merlin can go until 2040. By this time it will become clear if the V280 is as affordable and if it can be adapted to fit the merlin role.
If the airframe still has sufficient life left in it and the engines and gearbox are still A1, I see no reason why not. The only problem I see is integrating new avionics and capabilities that will be required into hardware and firm ware that is approaching 25 to 30. Which, can get very messy.