STEWART PENNEY / YEOVIL
Trials of Westland's new helicopter flight control system are due to begin next year
An upgrade programme for the UK Royal Navy's AgustaWestland EH101-based Merlin HMA1 maritime helicopters is likely to be the initial application of the Westland-developed Helicopter Electronic Actuation Technology (HEAT).
AgustaWestland and the UK Ministry of Defence have held talks on a Merlin capability sustainment programme (CSP), including mission systems enhancements and airframe changes, says Martin Fausset, Westland Helicopters programmes director.
No CSP timetable has been defined, and much of the mission system work will address potential obsolescence issues in the avionics. The cockpit could also be upgraded and Lockheed Martin - prime contractor on the Merlin HMA1 programme and avionics integrator on the US Navy's Sikorsky MH-60R/S helicopter - is considering options including the MH-60 cockpit.
Fausset says Westland aims to begin 12-18 months of HEAT flight trials next year. The system has been developed with the MoD and suppliers including BAE Systems and Claverham's FHL division.
Electrical actuation offers significant weight savings - much of it from above the cabin - and removes much of the complexity associated with traditional helicopter flight control systems, says Fausset. It also improves maintainability, he adds.
The company is considering changes to the main rotor blades, building on the Westland/MoD BERP rotor technology programme. Improvements will include aerodynamics and manufacturing, says Fausset. General Electric and Rolls-Royce Turbomeca are developing increased power versions of the CT7/T700 and RTM322 engines respectively. "We would expect to exploit the extra power at some time," he says.
Meanwhile, with the last of 44 Merlin HMA1s for the RN and 22 Merlin HC3 utility machines for the UK Royal Air Force on the line at Yeovil in south-west England, the company is keen to secure another order for the EH101 this year. A Danish order for 14 for search and rescue will keep the Yeovil line busy until late 2004. A second line is in Italy. Opportunities include the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's competition - where the EH101 is the only contender after Sikorsky's decision not to bid the S/H-92 - for a requirement encompassing mine-countermeasures, Antarctic survey and utility machines.
Other forthcoming possibilities include the Belgian air force, which is expected to begin a competition for 20 utility machines next year, and the Canadian Forces, which are seeking 28 ship-based maritime helicopters. A Canadian request for proposals is due for release in July.
Source: Flight International
