Aircraft
New British Airborne Surveillance Radar Enters Production
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed an order for the Crowsnest system to be carried by Royal Navy Merlin helicopters
Harriett Baldwin, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, is shown a model of a Royal Navy Merlin HM.2 helicopter fitted with the Crowsnest system (photo: MOD Crown Copyright 2017)
Harriett Baldwin, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, is shown a model of a Royal Navy Merlin HM.2 helicopter fitted with the Crowsnest system (photo: MOD Crown Copyright 2017)

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the go-ahead for production of the Crowsnest surveillance radar system for the Royal Navy’s Merlin HM.2 helicopters. Lockheed Martin UK is the system integrator, with Thales UK providing the radar and Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) Helicopters modifying the airframes. The contract is worth £269 million ($330 million).