AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin helicopters will be able to operate with even greater effectiveness on HMS Ark Royal thanks to a series of electromagnetic measurements undertaken by ERA Technology (Hall 3, A20).
The Merlin can search vast areas of sea and send data back to the ship providing a clear picture of what is happening around the aircraft carrier, increasing its ability to defend itself.
HMS Ark Royal contains large amounts of active sensors and communications equipment – all transmitting at various frequencies and output powers.
Survey
It was vital that trials were carried out to ensure that radio frequency interference does not affect the operation of the Merlin's systems.
Engineers, observers and advisers from south-east England-based ERA Technology lived aboard the carrier as they carried out the electromagnetic measurements survey, both when the ship was in port at Cherbourg, France, and at sea. Following an extensive mapping of the ship's high-frequency and radar environment, a Merlin was tested within these conditions, and the data used for risk mitigation.
Skills
An intensive training programme has seen the Fleet Air Arm's 814 Squadron redefining its skills and procedures during operational sea training with the carrier and the Merlin.
ERA Technology helps businesses and government organisations resolve problems and assisst businesses that rely on substantial infrastructures to plan, utilise and maintain their investment in technology. ERA has recently helped the MoD save £10 million by devising new smart procurement procedures to reduce the amount of testing while still ensuring full system safety.
Source: Flight Daily News
