Only a few weeks after the MoD was lauding the introduction of the all new Merlin Mk2 ahead of schedule and to budget is contract news detailing a £21.4 million contract to Lockheed Martin for modification to their DAS.
Modification of DAS on Merlin Mk2 Helicopter
Anyone heard any follow-up news/rumours about some of those spare Merlin HM1 also being upgraded to HM2?
How’s the serviceability of the new machines coming along?
Would certainly be nice to see those “orphans” made operational.
“How’s the serviceability of the new machines coming along?”
Could be better, but how much of that is a consequence of stand-down post Deep Blue, summer leave and/or the usual underprovision of spares that has dogged the cab since the mk1 entered service, who knows?
Nab
Thanks NaB you would have thought by now the powers that be would understand that spares support and such like are as vital if not more so than purchasing these things.
@ Mark
Stop such crazing thinking. Of course that stuff can cobbled together, best just cut the budget to pay for more equipment that we can’t really support…
In the photo above, the foremost Merlin has a pair of – I’m going to call them “wings” – which don’t appear on the rearmost Merlin. Any explanations?
Weapons hardpoints
Wiseape – officially termed Weapons Carriers – its the support structures for the carriage of torpedo or depth charge or the like.
Yes thanks I get that. But are they then detachable – I would have thought them integral? Or is it simply the case that not all Merlins have them?
Edit: Sorry, I’m just talking about the maritime Merlins.
Detachable, just like most aircraft stores/weapons carriers. Why carry weight when you don’t need it? Integral ones might well also induce stress raisers for fatigue loading……
Many thanks.
@ Observer – I heard the same rumour about looking at the spare HM1 cabs. The rumour seemed to be connected with MPA possibly using the extra Merlins to supplement a smaller number of MPA’s.
Nice to know I’m always on your mind Martin, even when I’m not around. :P
Sorry, my bad :-)