DUNLOP Aviation has delivered to Westland Helicopters the first production engine-intake anti-icing assemblies for the EH Industries EH101 Merlin anti-submarine helicopter. The equipment will be installed on 44 EH101s being assembled by Westland for the Royal Navy. The intakes are constructed from layers of glass and carbon fabric and aramid honeycomb, bonded with epoxy resin. Embedded metal-foil heating elements are formed to follow the contours of the component, allowing surface temperature to be precisely controlled. Three intakes are included on each aircraft. Dunlop's initial contract, valued at £5 million ($7.76 million), is expected to be followed by a follow-on order covering 22 EH101 utility helicopters being purchased for the Royal Air Force.
Source: Flight International