![Imagem](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Westland.eh101.merlin.fairford.arp.jpg)
Agusta Westland (EH-101) HM-1 Merlin - Royal Navy - UK, England, Fairford, Gloucestershire - July 18, 2005
HM-1 Merlin with Sting Torpedo at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
The Merlin HM1 has been cleared to operate from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, Type 23 frigates and a number of RFA vessels including the Fort Victoria class. The HM1 is to equip the Type 45 destroyers. 30 aircraft are being upgraded to the Merlin HM2 standard under the £850m Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme. Awarded in 2006, the MCSP adds a new mission system, sensor upgrades and a digital cockpit. The HM2 first flew from a ship in September 2012 to test the new inertial navigation system, and will enter service in 2013. It had been planned to upgrade the remaining 8 airframes but this has now been dropped for financial reasons. Alternative roles are being sought for these aircraft.
Photographed by Adrian Pingstone / Public Domain.
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faterra em Sex Abr 05, 2013 12:18 am, em um total de 1 vez.