The Merlin Aircraft

Merlin HC.3 landing in the desert

The Merlin is a new generation day and night operational multi-role helicopter which has greatly augmented the RAF's existing helicopter fleet. Merlin now makes up a vital part of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) alongside its RAF counterparts, the Puma and the Chinook.

The aircraft's modern and sophisticated navigation, optical and avionics systems will enable it to operate in all weathers and in icing conditions. The helicopter incorporates state-of-the-art design and technology, offering improved safety, reliability and maintainability.

The first thing most people note on seeing the helicopter is its large size: 22.8m from the tip of the main blade to tip of the tail blade and 6.6m high. The roles of the aircraft are similar to the Support Helicopter aircraft already in service with the RAF. These roles include trooping, freighting and casualty evacuation.

It has been designed to lift loads of up to 5443 Kg and has a maximum range of over 1100 km on internal fuel. It is powered by 3 Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 engines with Full Authority Digital Electronic Control. Aircraft vibration is damped by a system called Active Control of Structural Response.

Ninety percent of the fuselage is made from composite materials for strength and for weight reduction and the aircraft has an excellent redundancy level with some systems triplicated. This up-to-date technology has also gone into the remainder of the aircraft which includes elastomeric bearings fitted to the head and tail rotor hubs, designed to eliminate the lubrication required in these areas.

The instrument system is electronic and is displayed on 6 high definition, full colour screens which give primary or secondary power system displays. The avionics are also state-of-the-art: a 1553 Data Bus is fitted together with navigation and communications systems and the Defensive Aids Suite is comprehensive.

In summary, the Merlin is a very modern and extremely capable aircraft, which will greatly improve the RAF Support Helicopter Force's efficiency and will offer new challenges to the crews.

Technical Specifications of the Merlin

Engines: Three Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turbines.
Length: 74ft 10in (22.81m)
Rotor Diameter: 61ft (18.59m)
Top Speed: 192mph (309km/h)
Accommodation: Normally crewed by one pilot, one navigator/pilot, two crewmen and up to 24 combat equipped troops.