AgustaWestland AW-101 - discussione ufficiale

[TT-1 Pinto]

In finale per il SAR norvegese ....

 

AgustaWestland and Eurocopter to fight for Norway SAR deal ....

 

Norway's NAWSARH contest, to replace its ageing fleet of Westland Sea King search and rescue (SAR) helicopters with as many as 22 new rotorcraft, has moved a step closer to resolution with two bidders - AgustaWestland and Eurocopter - invited to engage in further negotiations.

 

AgustaWestland has pitched its AW101 and Eurocopter the EC225 for the requirement for 16 helicopters, with options for an additional six.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/agustawestland-and-eurocopter-to-fight-for-norway-sar-deal-388128/

[TT-1 Pinto]

AW si prepara per la competizione SAR norvegese ....

 

AgustaWestland prepares for Norwegian AW101 demonstration ....

 

AgustaWestland expects to soon begin the AW101 flight evaluation and bid refining phase for the Norwegian all-weather search and rescue helicopter (NASARH) programme, following Oslo's decision to narrow its Westland Sea King replacement contest to the Anglo-Italian type and Eurocopter's EC225.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/agustawestland-prepares-for-norwegian-aw101-demonstration-388325/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Da Flightglobal.com .... un paio di articoli relativi alle attività di aggiornamento attualmente in corso in Gran Bretagna sugli AW101 "Merlin" ....

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/royal-navy-works-to-add-more-capability-to-merlin-fleet-388661/

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-royal-navy-stands-up-first-merlin-hm2-squadron-388657/

[Focke wulf]

notizie sulla consegna del primo Eh 101 csar all'ami?

[TT-1 Pinto]

Lo scorso anno, in occasione dell'entrata in servizio dello HH-139, in un comunicato di AW si poteva leggere quanto segue ....

 

This significant event is the first major step in support of the service’s modernization programme which will also see the HH-101 “CAESAR” replacing the HH-3F Pelicans in the Combat SAR role.

The HH-139A will complement the HH-101s whilst providing a quantum leap forward in operational capabilities and cost effectiveness compared to the present fleet of HH-3Fs and HH-212s.

 

Link .... http://www.agustawestland.com/news/italian-air-force%E2%80%99s-hh-139a-enters-operational-service

 

.... nel sito di AW .... lo HH-101 non è citato, almeno per ora, in nessun altro comunicato ....

 

Questo, invece, è quanto viene riportato in un articolo che compare nel portale dell'AMI ....

 

Dal 2006 l’R.M.E. è stato impegnato nell’ammodernamento dell’HH-3F, denominato Codice “Charlie”.

Questa nuova versione dell’HH-3F ha permesso di dotare l’Aeronautica Militare di una macchina di transizione che ha consentito, e consentirà sino a fine 2014 (data di previsto “phase out”), di preparare i piloti, gli equipaggi e gli specialisti a macchine più sofisticate e, sotto il profilo avionico, più integrate come gli HH-139 e HH-101.

 

Link .... http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/Organizzazione/AltiComandi/COMLOG/Pagine/6RME.aspx

 

Può considerarsi dunque indicativa la data del ritiro dei "Pelican" ....

Modificato 27 Luglio 2013 da TT-1 Pinto

[Focke wulf]

Ho lettolLetto e la ringrazio, quindi essendo la phase out del Pelican schedulata per il 2014 credo che almeno una/due macchine potrebbero essere consegnate già il prossimo anno.

[TT-1 Pinto]

AW101 VIP per l'India .... AW spera di poter completare l'intera consegna ....

 

AgustaWestland stays upbeat on Indian AW101s despite corruption probe ....

 

AgustaWestland remains hopeful that it will eventually hand over the remaining VIP-roled AW101s ordered by India, despite New Delhi having halted deliveries pending the result of an inquiry into corruption on the deal.

So far the Indian air force has received three helicopters from its 12-unit order and is continuing to fly them.

However, a further three examples of the type are ready for delivery, with another six aircraft in an advanced state of completion.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/agustawestland-stays-upbeat-on-indian-aw101s-despite-corruption-probe-388833/

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Competizione per l'elicottero presidenziale USA ....

 

Alla luce di una RFP tagliata su misura a favore della concorrenza .... AW si ritira ....

 

"After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP [request for proposal], dated May 3, 2013, we, determined that we were unable to compete effectively given the current requirements and the evaluation methodology defined in the RFP," says AgustaWestland.

"There are fundamental proposal evaluation issues that we believe inhibit our ability to submit a competitive offering, and that provide a significant advantage to our likely competitor.

The decision to withdraw was most difficult, as we believe we have the best, most suitable aircraft for the President."

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/agustawestland-declines-to-bid-for-us-presidential-helicopter-388865/

 

 

In statement to Aviation Week, an AgustaWestland spokesman said: “After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP, dated May 3, 2013, we determined that we were unable to compete effectively given the current requirements and the evaluation methodology defined in the RFP.

“There are fundamental proposal evaluation issues that we believe inhibit our ability to submit a competitive offering, and that provide a significant advantage to our likely competitor.

“The decision to withdraw was most difficult, as we believe we have the best, most suitable aircraft for the President.”

 

Fonte .... http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_07_29_2013_p0-601954.xml

 

Many thanks .... Mister President .... are you happy now ?

[gepiro66]

Benissimo, contenti loro!

Avranno lo sconfitto nella competizione del 2005 con prestazioni inferiori, a costi forse più alti (competitore unico!), ma sarà "all made in America", e in tempi di crisi é questo che conta, costi quel che costi!

Una ulteriore conferma della new way dell'Amministrazione USA nelle competizioni per le forniture governative, con buona pace del tanto sbandierato principio del "Best value for money": se il vincitore di una gara non piace ai lobbisti delle corporations "pesanti" (leggi Lockeed e Boeing), si annulla la gara, pagando anche le penali, e dopo sofferta meditazione se ne indice un'altra con specifiche ritagliate sulle caratteristiche del campione di casa.

Vedi anche la gara per l'elicottero CSAR, che ha visto l'imbarazzante ritiro di tutti i concorrenti tranne uno, tanto era fotocopiata sulle caratteristiche dell'S-70, o quella per le aerocisterne. O la fine fatta fare al C-27J - JCA, strappato all'US Army, che lo voleva fortemente, e affossato dall'USAF, cui interessava ben poco, con incredibili ragionamenti sui costi e sostituendolo con dcrepiti C-130 destinati al ritiro e che richiederanno costosissimi aggiornamenti strutturali per stare in aria, senza comunque riuscire a coprire le stesse missioni. Ma sono americani....

Da notare che non si é ritirata solo AgustaWestland, ma anche Boeing e Bell.

Guarda caso adesso Sikorski é alleata con Lockeed......

Ma pechè non badiamo anche noi ai nostri interessi, come fa il nostro "stretto alleato" d'oltroceano, e non ci decidiamo a mollare il suo costosissimo gioiello da caccia investendo le stesse risorse nello sviluppo del NOSTRO Eurofighter?

[TT-1 Pinto]

.... se il vincitore di una gara non piace ai lobbisti delle corporations "pesanti" (leggi Lockheed e Boeing), si annulla la gara, pagando anche le penali, e dopo sofferta meditazione se ne indice un'altra con specifiche ritagliate sulle caratteristiche del campione di casa.

 

Non so se hai letto questo .... http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175659/ .... che avevo postato il 29 Luglio nella discussione dedicata al C-27J ....

 

C'è di che meditare ....

[TT-1 Pinto]

Dichiarazioni di Daniele Romiti, Amministratore Delegato di AW, in merito al ritiro dell'azienda dalla competizione USA ....

 

“Ci sono aspetti fondamentali della valutazione delle proposte - evidenzia AgustaWestland - che inibiscono la nostra capacità di presentare una offerta competitiva, e che offrono un vantaggio significativo per il nostro probabile concorrente”.

 

Fonte .... http://www.airpressonline.it/news.php?id=1941

[gepiro66]

 

Non so se hai letto questo .... http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175659/ .... che avevo postato il 29 Luglio nella discussione dedicata al C-27J ....

 

C'è di che meditare ....

 

Grazie, l'ho scaricato per leggermelo e meditare con calma.

[TT-1 Pinto]

E la Marina USA afferma che, anche in presenza di un unico concorrente, monitorerà attentamente i costi ....

 

In a statement provided to AIN, the Navy said that federal regulations prohibit it from identifying the bidders while the program remains in “source selection.”

The service said that it will “follow procedures outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement regardless of number of proposals received.

In a full and open competition in which a single bid is received, provisions exist to gather additional cost data from the bidder to ensure a fair and reasonable price has been submitted for evaluation.

 

“If only one bid is received, that would indicate that no other prospective bidder believed it could meet the government’s minimum requirement at a lower cost than its expected competition,” the Navy added.

“Regardless of the number of proposals received, we will absolutely ensure a cost-effective solution for VXX before moving forward.”

 

Fonte .... http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2013-08-02/sikorsky-submits-lone-bid-presidential-helo

 

Ovvero .... come rigirare la frittata ....

[TT-1 Pinto]

Articolo apparso alcuni fa sul quotidiano americano "The New York Times" .... dal quale si evince che, in effetti, qualche "aggiustamento" a sfavore di AgustaWestland è stato fatto ....

 

 

July 28, 2013

 

Few Suitors to Build a New Marine One ....

 

By CHRISTOPHER DREW ....

 

Wanting to clamp down on wasteful spending, President Obama halted a project to create new presidential helicopters four years ago, saying its soaring price was a symbol of government contracting “gone amok.”

But to the administration’s surprise, a new competition to build the helicopters much more cheaply is also running into trouble.

Industry officials said that only one company, Sikorsky Aircraft, was likely to bid on the multibillion-dollar contract this week.

And some of Sikorsky’s rivals are voicing an increasingly common complaint — that bid specifications are being written so narrowly they are driving away potential competitors.

Given the budget crisis, the White House has reiterated the call for sharper competition in all areas of contracting, to lower costs.

But the bidding for Marine One, the helicopter that sweeps away presidents from the White House lawn, suggests that goal is hard to achieve, as have other recent contract troubles.

By putting more emphasis on price and being more precise in what it wants, the government could end up with cheaper bids, but could also be excluding equipment that might be more flexible or less expensive in the long run, experts in government contracting said.

“The question is not whether the president can get the cheapest helicopter, but the best one that’s affordable to buy,” said Jacques S. Gansler, who was the top Pentagon acquisition official in the Clinton administration.

“It’s like when you buy a car. Do you drive a Yugo? Or is the best buy the cheapest one that meets your needs?”

Such questions have simmered for months among military and information-technology companies, which are feeling the pinch as opportunities to win large federal contracts dwindle.

But the issues could attract wider attention now that the president’s own helicopter is back in the spotlight.

Mr. Obama first expressed concerns about the cost of the new helicopters shortly after he took office in 2009, when Senator John McCain of Arizona, who had been his Republican opponent in the presidential race, confronted him at a conference on fiscal responsibility.

At the time, the projected price for 28 futuristic helicopters, to be designed to fend off terrorist attacks and resist the electromagnetic effects of a nuclear blast, had nearly doubled, to $13 billion.

Mr. Obama responded by saying that the existing fleet of white-topped helicopters, which are now 35 to 40 years old, seemed “perfectly adequate to me.”

He also promised to fix the procurement process.

Since then, the White House Military Office, which sets the requirements for the helicopters, and the Navy, which buys them because the Marines fly them, pared back some of the demands that had contributed to the cost overruns, like how fast the helicopters must fly and how far they can go without refueling.

The Navy also decided that it would supply the sensitive communications gear using existing technology rather than asking the contractors to create something new.

The latest plan is to buy 21 helicopters — at a much lower but unspecified cost — that would begin to enter service in 2020.

Congressional auditors have praised the plan as more sensible, and the Navy had said it expected “a full and open competition.”

But with the bids due on Thursday, officials at three companies that had considered bidding — Boeing, Bell Helicopter and Europe’s AgustaWestland — all said in interviews that they had decided not to.

AgustaWestland, which was expected to be Sikorsky’s biggest rival, said in a statement that several aspects of the bid process “inhibit our ability to submit a competitive offering” and “provide a significant advantage to our likely competitor.”

Under the deal that the Obama administration scrapped, AgustaWestland had supplied the helicopters to Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor.

(The Navy later sold the nine basic helicopters they produced to Canada for $164 million to use for spare parts.)

AgustaWestland teamed with Northrop Grumman in preparing for the new competition, while Lockheed Martin is now working for Sikorsky.

AgustaWestland, in planning a new bid, proposed a helicopter based on its AW101 model, which it sells overseas.

It was larger than Sikorsky’s basic H-92 model, and it lost some advantages when the Navy eased the requirements, like reducing the minimum seating to 12 people from 14.

Industry officials said that while the earlier contract required the winning helicopter to eventually be certified to Navy standards, the Navy wanted to save time in the new competition by allowing safety approvals by either civilian or military authorities.

Sikorsky’s helicopter already had been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, while AgustaWestland’s was not.

And while the Navy highlighted four areas where the bidders could improve their scores, AgustaWestland concluded that it could not gain enough extra points to overcome Sikorsky’s basic price advantage, the industry officials said.

Boeing had considered bidding with its large H-47 Chinook helicopter, or offering the V-22 tilt-rotor craft that it makes with Bell.

But neither would have worked once the government decided that the helicopter had to be small enough to easily land on the White House lawn.

AgustaWestland, Boeing and Bell also dropped out of an Air Force competition last year for a new combat-rescue helicopter in which Sikorsky also appeared to be the only bidder.

The Air Force is now considering using V-22s for part of that mission.

AgustaWestland, a unit of Finmeccanica, also faced a potential problem from a bribery scandal in India, where it is under investigation for using middlemen for a $754 million contract for AW101s.

Sikorsky, which built the White House helicopters now in use, has run into extensive delays and cancellation threats on a military project in Canada with a helicopter similar to the one it is offering the Navy.

The White House referred questions to the Navy.

Navy officials declined to speculate on what they would do if Sikorsky were the only bidder for the new presidential helicopter, known as the VXX.

Until the bids are due Thursday, the Navy “does not know, and it is of no consequence — no consequence at all — to speculate what companies will submit bids,” Capt. Cate Mueller, a Navy spokeswoman, said in a statement.

Captain Mueller said the Navy had considered feedback from industry throughout the process.

She said it had learned from the earlier presidential-helicopter contract that it would be more cost-effective to use a helicopter that would not need a new safety certification later.

Dr. Gansler, the former Pentagon acquisition official, said another problem was that solo bidders “rarely try to cut their price.”

But Frans Jurgens, a spokesman for Sikorsky, said, “Our proposal will put forward a safe, reliable and cost-efficient aircraft.”

 

Link .... http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/29/business/few-suitors-to-build-a-new-marine-one.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1375603318-gvIp8BWTgMSIc7FSTutl7Q

 

Se il nuovo elicottero presidenziale, qualunque esso sarà, entrerà in servizio, come riportato nell'articolo, non prima del 2020 .... gli Americani dovranno abituarsi a continuare a vedere sui loro media, sino a quella data, immagini di questo genere ....

 

 

 

 

[gepiro66]

notizie sulla consegna del primo Eh 101 csar all'ami?

 

In aggiunta a quanto già postato da Pinto, l'ultima citazione é questa:

 

"Per le sue caratteristiche l’HH-139 si sta dimostrando idoneo al compito di SAR in ambito nazionale, mentre quello "combat" sarà assegnato ai più prestanti HH-101 "Caesar"."

 

Fonte: http://www.dedalonews.it/it/index.php/08/2013/15stormo-il-soccorso-si-rinnova-con-lhh-139/

 

Sembrerebbe quindi confermato che, al momento del ritiro dalla linea di volo del "veterano Agusta-Sikorsky HH-3F, destinato alla radiazione entro i primi mesi del 2014 e di cui restano in servizio circa 6/7 esemplari", sia previsto l'ingresso in servizio dei primi esmplari del nuovo HH-101 al fine di assicurare la necessaria continuità nel mantnimento dell'importante capacità di missione Combat SAR.

I tempi però non sembrano corrispondere; per poterli rispettare dovrebbe esserci già qulvhe esemplare in fase di valutazine operativa e addestramento iniziale degli quipaggi, cosa che invece non risulta.

Pare quindi probabile, purtroppo, l'apertura di un vuoto nel mantenimento della capacità Combat SAR , che rappresentava un fiore all'ochiello degli assetti oprativi dell'AM.

[TT-1 Pinto]

Una notizia risalente ai primi del mese e che era passata pressochè inosservata .... la posto qui perché è, in un certo qual modo, affine a quella relativa all'elicottero presidenziale ....

 

U.S. Air Force delays rescue helicopter contract award ....

 

The U.S. Air Force has delayed the award of a contract valued at up to $6.8 billion for a new combat search and rescue helicopter program until the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, which begins October 1, spokesman Ed Gulick said.
The expected winner is Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp, after all other potential bidders dropped out of the competition last December.

 

Fonte .... http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/02/us-sikorsky-helicopters-idUSBRE97119O20130802

 

In pratica .... truccano le competizioni allo scopo di favorire i prodotti "indigeni" .... poi si nascondono dietro un dito portando avanti smentite a dir poco imbarazzanti .... e quelli sarebbero i nostri alleati .... quelli che vivono nel paese del "politicamente corretto" .... il nuovo "paese delle favole" ....

 

Ma che le vadano a raccontare a qualcun altro .... le favole ....

[gepiro66]

^{Quando la crisi morde e .... le lobbies premono, evidemente i principi di cui ci si é sempre eletti paladini si possono anche buttare a mare.... con buona pace di amici ed alleati.}

 

^{Nel numero di agosto della rivista JP4 è riportata una intervista al comandante del 15° Stormo, col. Franco Trozzi, che conferma l'obiettivo dell'AMI di acquisire 12 HH-101 per sostituire l'HH-3F nel ruolo C/SAR. Inoltre il comandante ha dichiarato che si sta procedendo all'acquisizione di 3 ulteriori HH-139, oltre ai 10 già ordinati e ricevuti.}

[TT-1 Pinto]

Nuovi sensori EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infra-Red) per gli AW101 danesi ....

 

Danish AW101s to get MX-15 sensor fit ....

 

Denmark is to perform an equipment upgrade on some of its air force AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, with the aircraft to be fitted with L-3 Wescam's MX-15 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor.

Announced by the supplier on 2 September, Copenhagen's acquisition and sustainment contract will provide "a minimum of eight MX-15 imaging systems".

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/danish-aw101s-to-get-mx-15-sensor-fit-390092/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Turbine RTM322 .... ora Safran ne è la completa proprietaria ....

 

Safran rachète les parts de Rolls-Royce dans le programme RTM322....

 

Turbomeca, filiale de Safran, s’occupera désormais à 100%, de la conception à la production ainsi que les services après-vente, des turbines RTM322.

En effet, Safran et Rolls-Royce viennent de finaliser, lundi 2 septembre, le rachat des 50% des parts de ce dernier dans le programme commun de turbines d’hélicoptère RTM322.

Ce rachat, qui s’élève à 293 millions d’euros, avait été annoncé en avril dernier.

 

Fonte .... http://www.air-cosmos.com/industrie/safran-rachete-les-parts-de-rolls-royce-dans-le-programme-rtm322.html

 

Lo scorso Aprile .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/r-r-sells-interest-in-rtm322-helicopter-engine-programme-385015/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Stanno venendo a Canossa ....

 

Military team sent to UK to evaluate helicopters 'other' than troubled Cyclones ....

 

OTTAWA - The Harper government may be ready to throw in the towel on the purchase of long-delayed CH-148 Cyclone helicopters and has gone as far as sending a military team to Britain to evaluate other aircraft.

Defence sources say the team, which included an officer from the air force directorate of air requirements branch, visited a southern base in the United Kingdom recently to look at Royal Navy HM-1 Merlin helicopters.

 

Fonte .... http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Military+team+sent+evaluate+helicopters+other+than/8875221/story.html

 

'Other options' sought for Sea King helicopter replacements ....

 

The federal government is considering "other options" to replace the aging fleet of maritime helicopters after an independent assessment obtained by CBC News Network's Power & Politics found fundamental flaws with the procurement process.

Amber Irwin, spokeswoman for Public Works and Government Services Minister Diane Finley, said the report from Hitachi Consulting on the contract to buy 28 CH-148 Cyclone choppers "is not yet finalized," and that the government will carefully consider its recommendations once complete.

But, she added, "simultaneously the government is considering other options for the maritime helicopter project."

 

Fonte .... http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/09/05/pol-sikorsky-cyclone-helicopters-sea-kings-contract-public-works.html

[TT-1 Pinto]

Ormai sono completamente in preda ai dubbi (se non in stato confusionale) ....

 

Canada Says It Could Scrap $4.8 Billion Sikorsky Helicopter Contract .... http://www.courant.com/business/hc-sikorsky-canada-helicopters-20130906,0,7320657.story

 

Timing of acquisition unclear if Ottawa changes course on maritime helicopter .... http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/timing-of-acquisition-unclear-if-ottawa-changes-course-on-maritime-helicopter-1.1443676

 

E quello (sia pure in versione VIP .... che è, in verità, tutt'altra cosa) dovrebbe essere il futuro elicottero del presidente Obama ....

[TT-1 Pinto]

Sarà un AW101 Merlin il successore del Sea King Mk7 (Airborne Surveillance and Ccontrol - ASaC) .... ma con quale equipaggiamento?

 

Contenders Vie For British AEW Helicopter System ....

 

British plans for a new AEW helicopter system were in focus at the Defence Security and Equipment International (DSEI) show in London this week.

Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK) and Thales will compete for the requirement named Crows Nest, to provide a replacement for Royal Navy’s current Sea King Mk7 airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) helicopters, and be deployable on the UK’s two forthcoming aircraft carriers.

 

Fonte .... http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2013-09-13/contenders-vie-british-aew-helicopter-system

 

Il concetto presentato dal gruppo Thales ....

 

Ma .... a questo punto .... a che può servire il radome anteriore ?

[TT-1 Pinto]

Problemi di operatività per gli AW101 portoghesi a causa di scarsa disponibilità di motori ....

 

Engine shortage dogs Portuguese AW101 fleet ....

 

Portugal’s fleet of AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin helicopters, used for search and rescue (SAR) operations across a huge expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, is being prevented from reaching higher levels of readiness due to problems with the support of the type’s Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines.

At present, five of the 12-aircraft fleet operated by the Portuguese air force’s 751 Sqn are out of service, either due to the unavailability of engines or spare parts for them, says AgustaWestland’s Nick Green, who runs sustainment activities for the nation’s Merlin fleet from Montijo air base near Lisbon.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/engine-shortage-dogs-portuguese-aw101-fleet-390590/

 

[TT-1 Pinto]

Alle ricerca di nuovi mercati con la certificazione civile ....

 

AgustaWestland pursues new AW101 sales avenues ....

 

Meanwhile, AgustaWestland has opened discussions with European regulator EASA over obtaining civil certification for the triple-engined type.

As oilfields move further offshore, it sees a potential requirement for a crew-change helicopter offering longer range than either of the segment’s current stalwarts, the Eurocopter EC225 and Sikorsky S-92.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/agustawestland-pursues-new-aw101-sales-avenues-390592/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Imminente il trasferimento degli AW101 Merlin della RAF alla RN ....

 

Marking Merlins ....

 

Over the next three years, all the remaining RAF Merlins - including the six aircraft purchased in 2008 from the Royal Danish Air Force - will be absorbed into the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) where they will form the backbone of the U.K. helicopter amphibious support force and replace the Jungly Sea Kings currently in use.

 

Fonte .... http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:12a4f98d-c55e-4b6f-ae1f-447def3ae97d