I read that only 30 of the 44 Merlins are getting upgraded. 8 of the airframes have been cut because of some reason but someone suggested this could be for the AEW variant for the seaking replacement. I was thinking the Seaking ASAC Mr7 was going to be going until 2020? Am i wrong about the date or could they go on for even longer. Does anyone know much about the italian AEW merlins? they use Eliradar HEW-784 air/surface surveillance radar. Is this better than search water and the mission equipment in the seakings? I wish the MOD would stop pissing about and order another 50-60 merlins for the army and RM commando’s. Say to be delivered over 5-10 years. Get the army ones in service ASAP for afghanistan and then replace the Junglies as and when required. By the time this is done the RN merlins will need replaced so buy some more new new ones. Thoughts anyone?
What is the upgrade involving to HM2?
By: Flubba - 4th December 2009 at 23:42
As far as I’m aware the main differences between the HM.1 and HM.2 standards AFAIK are mainly in the computer systems. The HM.1 currently uses an outdated computer system designed In the 90’s and with proprietary processors and components the new mission computer systems will use COTS and MOTS components and will be much easier to upgrade. This new computer system should lower costs and be far simpler to apply software or hardware upgrades to as well as lowering support and training costs. The cockpit will also be updated to an all digital standard and a new flight control system will also be integrated. Other changes will be updates to the engine hardware and software, the rotors will no doubt be replaced with the latest BERP blades and other hardware and software updates will be applied across the airframe.
I personally think reducing the ASW Merlin fleet to 30 airframes could turn out to be a poor decision if any submarine threat emerges. I would rather all of the current 42 airframes be fully converted to the new standard and additional airframes bought if the MoD decided to go down the rotary AEW route again.
By: kev 99 - 4th December 2009 at 19:18
Unfortunately the time for the MOD to stop ‘pissing about’ was probably years ago, Westland are probably going to be busy with the not big enough Wildcat order for years now.
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December 4, 2009 at 5:34 pm