Agusta Westland EHI EH-101 Merlin HC3 (Mk411) ZJ124 / H - 28(AC) Squadron Royal Air Force - RAF Benson Families Day 2011
The Merlin HC3 and HC3a are operated by No 28 (AC) Squadron and 78 Squadron at RAF Benson. 78 Squadron was re-formed on 3 Dec 07 to allow for the increase in aircraft after the purchase of the 6 Danish Merlin HC3a earlier in 2007. The Merlin is the first of a new generation of advanced, medium support helicopters for the RAF. It is an all weather, day and night, multi-role helicopter used in both tactical and strategic operational roles. The aircraft carries an impressive defensive-aids suite, which includes a Radar and Laser Warning Receiver, Missile Approach Warners and Directional Infrared Countermeasures equipment, all integrated with an automatic chaff and flare dispensing system. This is one of the most comprehensive defensive aids suites fitted to any helicopter in the world.
To ensure accurate navigation anywhere on the globe, the aircraft’s management computers take data from its laser-gyro, inertial-navigation platform and its doppler system and from air data sources, and combine the information with precise position data received from Global Positioning System satellites.
Navigation at night is enhanced by the crew’s use of display night-vision goggles and by the aircraft’s multi-function turret, which can be fitted with forward- looking infrared radar. To increase the aircraft’s range, the Merlin can be equipped with extended range fuel tanks and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, although this option is not currently used by the RAF. It is also fitted with an active vibration-damping system, which reduces the level of noise and vibration inside the cabin to a level no greater than that of a turboprop aircraft. As a result, crew fatigue is much reduced during long transits and airframe life is increased.
The Merlin is able to carry a diverse range of bulky cargo, either internally or under-slung. Cargo can include artillery, Land Rovers or light-strike vehicles and over five tonnes of freight. The spacious cabin can also accommodate up to 24 fully equipped combat troops and, when required, will convert to carry 16 stretchers for casualty evacuation or during humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Designed to operate away from base workshops and in difficult terrain, the Merlin has state-of-the-art support technology and incorporates aircraft health-and-usage diagnostics and a self-test capability for ease of maintenance.
The Merlin is armed with two general purpose machine guns converted for the air role, although there is provision for additional weaponry to be fitted at a later date.
28 (AC) Squadron officially reformed on 17 July 2001 as home to the Merlin helicopter, a role now shared with 78 Squadron. Merlin helicopters are a vital part of the Joint Helicopter Command alongside their RAF counterparts, the Puma and the Chinook. Since reforming at RAF Benson, the Squadron has developed to incorporate A and B Flights, which are the operational flights, and an embedded Operational Conversion Flight on C Flight.
28 (AC) Squadron officially reformed on 17 July 2001 as home to the Merlin helicopter, a role now shared with 78 Squadron. Merlin helicopters are a vital part of the Joint Helicopter Command alongside their RAF counterparts, the Puma and the Chinook. Since reforming at RAF Benson, the Squadron has developed to incorporate A and B Flights, which are the operational flights, and an embedded Operational Conversion Flight on C Flight.
Agusta Westland EHI EH-101 Merlin HC3 (Mk411) ZJ124 / H - 28(AC) Squadron Royal Air Force - RAF Benson Families Day 2011
The Merlin HC3 and HC3a are operated by No 28 (AC) Squadron and 78 Squadron at RAF Benson. 78 Squadron was re-formed on 3 Dec 07 to allow for the increase in aircraft after the purchase of the 6 Danish Merlin HC3a earlier in 2007. The Merlin is the first of a new generation of advanced, medium support helicopters for the RAF. It is an all weather, day and night, multi-role helicopter used in both tactical and strategic operational roles. The aircraft carries an impressive defensive-aids suite, which includes a Radar and Laser Warning Receiver, Missile Approach Warners and Directional Infrared Countermeasures equipment, all integrated with an automatic chaff and flare dispensing system. This is one of the most comprehensive defensive aids suites fitted to any helicopter in the world.
To ensure accurate navigation anywhere on the globe, the aircraft’s management computers take data from its laser-gyro, inertial-navigation platform and its doppler system and from air data sources, and combine the information with precise position data received from Global Positioning System satellites.
Navigation at night is enhanced by the crew’s use of display night-vision goggles and by the aircraft’s multi-function turret, which can be fitted with forward- looking infrared radar. To increase the aircraft’s range, the Merlin can be equipped with extended range fuel tanks and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, although this option is not currently used by the RAF. It is also fitted with an active vibration-damping system, which reduces the level of noise and vibration inside the cabin to a level no greater than that of a turboprop aircraft. As a result, crew fatigue is much reduced during long transits and airframe life is increased.
The Merlin is able to carry a diverse range of bulky cargo, either internally or under-slung. Cargo can include artillery, Land Rovers or light-strike vehicles and over five tonnes of freight. The spacious cabin can also accommodate up to 24 fully equipped combat troops and, when required, will convert to carry 16 stretchers for casualty evacuation or during humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Designed to operate away from base workshops and in difficult terrain, the Merlin has state-of-the-art support technology and incorporates aircraft health-and-usage diagnostics and a self-test capability for ease of maintenance.
The Merlin is armed with two general purpose machine guns converted for the air role, although there is provision for additional weaponry to be fitted at a later date.
28 (AC) Squadron officially reformed on 17 July 2001 as home to the Merlin helicopter, a role now shared with 78 Squadron. Merlin helicopters are a vital part of the Joint Helicopter Command alongside their RAF counterparts, the Puma and the Chinook. Since reforming at RAF Benson, the Squadron has developed to incorporate A and B Flights, which are the operational flights, and an embedded Operational Conversion Flight on C Flight.
28 (AC) Squadron officially reformed on 17 July 2001 as home to the Merlin helicopter, a role now shared with 78 Squadron. Merlin helicopters are a vital part of the Joint Helicopter Command alongside their RAF counterparts, the Puma and the Chinook. Since reforming at RAF Benson, the Squadron has developed to incorporate A and B Flights, which are the operational flights, and an embedded Operational Conversion Flight on C Flight.