GKN Westland has brought the first production model of the EH Industries EH-101 Merlin anti-submarine helicopter to Farnborough ‘96.
Helicopter number RN01 was rolled out in March at the company's Yeovil plant after making its first successful flight in December 1995.
Engineers from Lockheed Martin, formerly Loral, are installing the helicopters high-tech mission system. The first aircraft is due to undergo flight trails at the MoD Boscombe Down test centre from May 1998 onwards with the aim of going into service with the Royal Navy in 1999.
A preview of the helicopter shows it to be a spacious machine. The flight deck is of a conventional layout but the mission area is different from that used in the older Sea Kings which the Merlin is replacing.
The two mission specialists sit side by side at their console which faces forward. Immediately behind them is the helicopter's dunking sonar and sonar buoy dropping equipment.
To date the Royal Navy has ordered 44 anti-submarine Merlins. The Italian navy is to take delivery of eight anti-submarine version, four surveillance machines and four utility helicopters, with a rear ramp.
GKN Westland spokesmen say the company is talking to several European countries about possible Merlin sales but any new orders are some time off.
Source: Flight Daily News