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AgustaWestland delivers modernized Royal Navy helo

The first AW101 Merlin Mk3 helicopter upgraded by AgustaWestland has been delivered to Britain's Royal Navy.

By Richard Tomkins
AW's Merlin HC Mk3 heliocopter, upgraded for the Royal Navy. AgustaWestland photo.
AW's Merlin HC Mk3 heliocopter, upgraded for the Royal Navy. AgustaWestland photo.

YEOVIL, England, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The first of seven upgraded AW101 Merlin HC helicopters has been delivered to Britain's Royal Navy by AgustaWestland as part of an aircraft sustainment program.

The Mk3-configured Merlins are being upgraded to the Merlin HC Mk4/4A configuration to replace Sea King support helicopters in two phases.

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The first Phase 1 aircraft, upgraded at AW's facility in Yeovil, received modifications such as a folding main rotor head, naval lashing rings, revised twin-wheel main undercarriage for ship operations, fast-roping capability and various communications upgrades.

AgustaWestland said the remaining six Phase 1 Royal Navy helicopters will be delivered next year.

"Delivery of this first upgraded Merlin marks an important milestone in our £330 million ($509.2 million) investment in the fleet, which will give our Royal Navy a total of 25 Merlin MK4 helicopters by 2020," said Defense Minister Philip Dunne. "These upgraded helicopters will improve the capabilities of the Merlins for their amphibious roles, including flying from our new aircraft carriers.

"This work on the fleet has sustained hundreds of jobs across British industry, including in the South West."

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