E.H.I. EH-101 Merlin

HM1 Maritime Helicopter


Merlin HM1


Designed as a replacement for the Sea King, the EH-101 (named Merlin in Royal Navy service), is a joint venture between Westland (UK) who developed the original WG34 design on which the EH-101 is based and Agusta (Italy). A new company called E.H.I. was established between the two partners in 1980 to manage the project. The HM1 is an anti-submarine variant intended to replace the Sea King HAS6, and the Lynx HAS3 & HMA8 on suitably equipped frigates. Other versions will replace Sea Kings in transport roles in both the RN and RAF and an airborne-early-warning version is planned.

The first production HM1 was rolled out from Westland on 6 March 1996 and should enter service with the RN in approximately 1998.

44 Merlin HM1 are currently on order for the RN.

Dimensions: Rotor diameter 18.59 m (61ft) ; Length 22.81 m (74ft 10in) ; Height 6.65 m (21ft 10in) ; Rotor Disc Area 271.51 sq.m (2,955.5 sq.ft)
Weights: Empty 7121 kg (15,700 lb) ; Maximum Take-off 13530 kg (29,830 lb)
Powerplant: three Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM 322 turboshafts - 1724 kW (2,312 shp) maximum power each.
Performance: Maximum cruising speed 173 mph (278 kph, 150 kt)
Avionics: GEC-Marconi AQS-903 acoustic processor ; GEC-Marconi Blue Kestrel 360-degree digital search radar ; Racal ESM ; JTIDS data link.
Armament: up to 960 kg (2,112 lb) of external stores including 4 lightweight torpedoes or Sea Skua AShMs.