Grant Turnbull

The first Leonardo Merlin HM.2 helicopter fitted with the Crowsnest Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) system has completed its first flight. Prime contractor Lockheed Martin UK confirmed that the designated trials aircraft took off from Leonardo Helicopters’ Yeovil facility fitted with Crowsnest on March 28 to begin aero-mechanical flight trials.

 


“This milestone is key to assessing the flight envelope and handling qualities of the aircraft with the external-role equipment fitted, and marks the start of a series of flight trials which will take place throughout 2019,” said Ross Powlesland, managing director of military solutions for Lockheed Martin UK.

 


The Crowsnest program will see the Royal Navy regain an airborne early warning and control (AEW&amp;C) capability for its surface fleet, with a primary focus on the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers. The new system is expected to achieve initial operational capability in 2020 and will form a key part of the navy’s future Carrier Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) capability. In the past, this AEW&amp;C capability was provided by the Sea King ASaC.7 (SKASaC) fleet until the<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-09-27/royal-navy-bids-farewell-sea-king"> type’s retirement </a>in 2018.

 


“This first flight is part of the development of the Crowsnest capability, fitted to the Merlin helicopter, which will provide vital intelligence, surveillance,&nbsp;and tracking and significantly enhance the airborne command and control capability of the Royal Navy,” said a service spokesperson.

 


The Merlin HM.2 Crowsnest will use improved missions systems and hardware originally developed for the SKASaC fleet, including the distinctive “bag” radome that houses the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-05-28/thales-wins-uk-crowsnest-surveillance-contract">Thales Searchwater</a> radar and swivels down below the aircraft during flight from the port-side weapon station. The mechanically scanned radar will offer long-range air, maritime, and land detection and tracking capability, and also feature fully integrated electronic support measures. The radar and associated Cerberus mission system, also supplied by Thales, have evolved for the Merlin HM.2 to include new radar modes, as well as human-machine interface enhancements such as touchscreen technology.

 


A total of 10 Crowsnest systems will be purchased as part of a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2017-01-20/new-british-airborne-surveillance-radar-enters-production">£269 million ($351.7 million) contract</a><a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-05-28/thales-wins-uk-crowsnest-surveillance-contract"> </a>awarded to Lockheed Martin UK in 2017. All 30 of the Royal Navy’s Merlin HM.2s—previously upgraded by Lockheed Martin UK as part of the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme—will be modified by Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil to ensure that the Crowsnest role-fit kits can be integrated on any helicopter if required.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Royal Navy’s New Crowsnest Completes First Flight

The Royal Navy's successor to the Sea King in the airborne early warning role has begun flight tests, with a view to entering service in 2020.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Hanneke Weitering

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance 

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Rotorcraft

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

Bell 505 Makes Asia-Pacific Debut with Aichi Police

Joins fleet of longtime operator of Bell 206s and 412s

Enstrom Delivers 480B to Africa’s Safomar Aviation

Distributor will use the helicopter to introduce customers to its capabilities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN