AW101 Merlin Helicopter (RN)

[marktigger]

shouldn't this thread now be in the royal navy section

[The Armchair Soldier]

shouldn't this thread now be in the royal navy section

It should indeed. Consider it moved.

[downsizer]

They're welcome to them! Fat POS.

[GibMariner]

Royal Navy Merlins training in Gibraltar


http://chronicle.gi/2016/01/12/royal-na ... ht-to-gib/

[marktigger]

must be fun winching with Merlin given its impressive down draft but nice to see the Fleet Air Arm using them.

[marktigger]

wonder will UK merlins get air to air refueling capability

[Dahedd]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=it ... ay&first=1

[rec]

Are the 8 orphan HM1s going to be upgraded as well, given the RN has so few Merlins???

[marktigger]

it would be good and hopefully air to surface capability as well.

[abc123]

Royal Navy Merlins training in Gibraltar


http://chronicle.gi/2016/01/12/royal-na ... ht-to-gib/

I wonder, given their range, where have they taken fuel during that flight from UK to Gibraltar?

[GibMariner]

http://chronicle.gi/2016/01/12/royal-na ... ht-to-gib/

I wonder, given their range, where have they taken fuel during that flight from UK to Gibraltar?

The article quoted above originally stated, based on information released to the local press by the MOD, that there were stops at Bordeaux and Seville (Moron air base?) as well as one in Morocco (due to Spain's restriction on military flights to Gibraltar). Still seems like a bit of a stretch.

[abc123]

http://chronicle.gi/2016/01/12/royal-na ... ht-to-gib/

I wonder, given their range, where have they taken fuel during that flight from UK to Gibraltar?

The article quoted above originally stated, based on information released to the local press by the MOD, that there were stops at Bordeaux and Seville (Moron air base?) as well as one in Morocco (due to Spain's restriction on military flights to Gibraltar). Still seems like a bit of a stretch.

Yeah, that's the reason why I asked about refueling? It is somewhat unbelievable to me that Spain would allow refueling in Moron AB when it's pretty obvious tht the helicopters are goeing into Gibraltar.

[GibMariner]

Yeah, that's the reason why I asked about refueling? It is somewhat unbelievable to me that Spain would allow refueling in Moron AB when it's pretty obvious tht the helicopters are goeing into Gibraltar.

There's little logic when it comes to Spain's attitude towards Gibraltar. However, they can't really do much about it when it doesn't directly involve them. RN warships used to do the same when stationed in the Med, visiting a third party country's ports before calling in at a Spanish port after visiting Gib.

What's more unbelievable is that an alleged NATO ally places so many restrictions on fellow NATO members to visit NATO territory, based on imperialistic ambitions which have no place within the alliance, while allowing the Russian Navy to refuel at Ceuta.
(I guess it helps when a wealthy aristocrat/politician with close, personal links to your oil industry is the EU's Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action; and who just happens to be related to your Minister of Defence... )

[arfah]

...............

[GibMariner]

[cyrilranch]

Did the remaining HM1s upgrade get mentioned in SDSR

No details at all. No numbers were given.

But at least it says there will be 4 frontline Merlin HM2 squadrons, which means the running on of 849 NAS with the AEW mission is confirmed. If it was possible not to depend from just 30 machines for all roles, that really would be sweet... but it seems unlikely we'll see extra Wizards.

I'd speculate (with zero factual backing) that when the UK announce that the next gen Apache will be ordered directly from the US, that AW will be given a small Merlin order as a bribe to keep their mouths shut. And to keep their local MP's happy. "to ensure the carriers have a full complement of helo's".

Would it be a better idea to convert not only the 30 odd Mk2 merlins , but aslo the 25 odd green merlins (Mk4?)to accept the Crowsnest kit

[marktigger]

crowsnest is meant to be able to be clipped into any HM2 platform as the ASW mission kit can be removed from the HM2 so any HM2 can be used.

[GibMariner]

[marktigger]

the rotor down draft is impressive

[marktigger]

what size hanger is needed for a Merlin on a ship?

how much space is needed for 2 merlins to ab accommodated side by side on a frigate or destroyer?

[marktigger]

have any OSD's been mentioned for merlin in Navy?

[Gabriele]

It'll be something like 2035 or 2040 for the HM2.

[marktigger]

airforce were talking about 2030's for the HC fleet along with the Puma fleet so hopefully a joint purchase will replace both platforms and possibly the HM2 fleet.

[rec]

Is the upgrading of the orphaned HM1s still a possibillity?

[marktigger]

if a budget can be found for it yes and there is also the possibility for more airframes as Westlands/agusta-westlands/finmeccanica/leonardo or what ever they are calling themselves this week are still making them.