First Royal Navy Merlin HM2 Sea Trials

28/09/2012 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

The new Westland Merlin HM2 anti-submarine helicopter has carried out its first sea trials, landing and taking off from HMS Illustrious in September 2012.

The Merlin HM2 sea trials aimed to establish the effectiveness of the type's navigation systems and 11 sorties took place in all.

The first HMS Illustrious Merlin HM2 landing occurred on 3 September. Over the next fortnight, 10 additional sorties were carried out at various locations in the Atlantic.

These Merlin HM2 sorties were planned using the Ground Preparation Facility technology developed by Lockheed Martin and, while they were in progress, the ship's crew members also drew on the Avionics and Tactical Mission Systems in order to manage critical flight phases, especially the landings themselves.

Merlin HM2 Sea Trials

The Royal Navy Merlin HM2 sea trials involved representatives from the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme, through which 30 Merlin HM1s are being converted to the HM2 standard.

The Westland Merlin HM2 is an upgraded version of the Merlin HM1, which entered service with the Royal Navy in 1997. Equipped with depth charges and torpedoes, the Royal Navy's Merlin HM1s carry out primarily anti-submarine work but also carry out anti-piracy missions, reconnaissance, surveillance and search and rescue. They have a range of 450 nautical miles, a top speed of 149 knots and typically fly with a crew of three.

There are presently four Royal Navy Merlin HM1 squadrons, all of them based at RNAS Culdrose in the southwest of England.

Royal Navy Merlin HM2s

The Merlin HM2 made its first flight in October 2010 and features upgraded radar and sonar systems, touch-screen cockpit displays and other innovations designed to prolong this helicopter's Royal Naval service career.

It's currently expected that the Westland Merlin HM2 will enter Royal Navy service in 2013, gain IOC (Initial Operational Capability) shortly thereafter and then, in 2014, progress to FOC (Full Operational Capability).

The Royal Navy Merlin HM2 fleet is then set to serve on until at least the late 2020s.