LONDON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The U.K. Royal Marines' newest helicopter, the Merlin Mk4, took to the skies for the first time last week, the service announced Friday.
It replaces the Mk3 and is better adapted to commando operations and operations at sea and is slated to be the mainstay of the Commando Helicopter Force for the next decade, the service said in a statement.