RAF Merlin HC Mk3 Display 2005

The Merlin HC3 is the Royal Air Force's newest support helicopter which replaces the Wessex helicopter. Twenty-two of the aircraft have been delivered and all serve with No 28 Squadron at RAF Benson.

The 3-engined Merlin can carry up to 24 fully-equipped troops. The aircraft can be armed with two general purpose machine guns mounted in port and starboard cabin windows, and can be equipped with a wide variety of role equipment, including a rescue hoist and a roller floor to assist loading cargo via the rear ramp.

Merlin HC3 -
Abingdon Fayre 2005

The Merlin will be the first British military helicopter which can be equipped with an air-to-air refuelling probe to greatly increase the aircraft's range and reduce deployment times. An active vibration damping system reduces the level of noise and vibration inside the cabin to a similar level to turboprop aircraft, reducing crew and passenger fatigue and increasing airframe life.

The Role of the Merlin HC3 is the movement of troops, weapons, ammunition, and support stores in and around the battlefield.

Merlin HC3 -
Abingdon Fayre 2005

28 (AC) Squadron officially reformed on 17 July 2001 as home to the Merlin helicopter. Merlin now makes up a vital part of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) alongside its RAF counterparts, the Puma and the Chinook.

28 Squadron reformed in 2000 to operate the first Merlin HC3 helicopters from RAF Benson, these arriving from January 2001 onwards. The first operational deployment by the squadron with its Merlins was made in 2003 when aircraft commenced operations in Bosnia.

The 28 Squadron Motto is Quicquid agas age - 'Whatsoever you may do, do'.

The Merlin HC Mk3 has a single main rotor configuration powered by three uprated Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines. It has an all-up take off mass of 14.6 tonnes, maximum speed of 167 knots and range on internal fuel in excess of 1000km. The operating range can be extended by virtue of an air to air refuelling capability and continuous operations are possible. Designed to carry 24 troops in crash-attenuating seating, fitted with active noise reduction (ANR) headphones. The seats can be folded away and a range of cargo or small vehicles loaded via a rear ramp or side door. A cargo winch and roller conveyor for palletised freight are integrated. Under slung loads can be carried.

Merlin HC3
pic from Sqn Ldr Mark Beardmore

Pilot workload is eased with automated flight control and aircraft management, integrated GPS/INS based navigation, extensive communication systems and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible electronic instruments and displays.

All the aircraft will be fitted with a comprehensive Defensive Aids Suite (DAS) that will include a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), a Laser Warning Receiver (LWR), Chaff and Flare dispensers and a Directional Infra-Red Countermeasures (DIRCM) system. A limited number will also be fitted with Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR). 3G agility and a low noise signature enhance effectiveness and minimise environmental impact. Wire strike protection, armoured crash attenuating crew seats, automatic fire protection systems and the defensive aids provide enhanced survivability.

Earlier on in the Abingdon show the RAF Merlin Display Team demonstrated their latest capability of retrieving the RAF Chinook's rear wheel using the utility vehicle after the Chinook managed to lose a rear wheel during its 'wheelie' landing and reverse take-off. It is not yet known if this demonstration will be repeated as part of the Merlin's 2005 display season :)

Chinook HC2 missing rear wheel (left)
Merlin Display Team recovers wheel (right)