What happened to the RAF Merlins?

As part of the UK drawdown in Afghanistan, Merlins were withdrawn from theatre in June 2013. In 2012, the RAF’s Merlin HC3/3A fleet began to be transferred to the Royal Navy for use by the Commando Helicopter Force.

Does the RAF have any Merlin helicopters?

RAF Helicopters RAF Aircraft – Merlin HC3 Helicopter – r7a15 – Armed Forces. The EH101 Merlin Mk 3 is the newest RAF helicopter, the RAF having ordered 22 EH101 (Merlin) support helicopters for £755m in March 1995.

How many Merlin helicopters does the UK have?

30 Merlin Mk2 helicopters
The Royal Navy operates 30 Merlin Mk2 helicopters, based at RNAS Culdrose. Operates globally, deployed on Royal Navy Frigates, Destroyers and Support Craft and will in future fly from the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.

How good is the Merlin helicopter?

The Merlin is faster, has better range and greater capacity than the Sea King. However these aircraft are very much second hand, in service since 2001 with the RAF that has already run them hard, deployed operationally in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

How many troops can a Merlin carry?

24
The Merlin can accommodate up to 24 fully-laden troops. The Merlin is powered by 3 Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 engines that power a main rotor assembly that consists of 5 BERP (British Experimental Rotor Programme) IV blades.

What will replace the RAF Puma?

Airbus Helicopters plans to offer a new military variant of its H175 helicopter to the MoD. If chosen Airbus would use its Broughton site as the location of a final assembly line for the H175M military helicopter which would replace the RAF Puma fleet.

Who built Puma helicopters?

Sud Aviation Aérospatiale
The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter. The Puma was originally built by Sud Aviation of France, and continued to be made by Aérospatiale….Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma.

SA 330 Puma
Role	Utility helicopter
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Sud Aviation Aérospatiale
First flight	15 April 1965

Who builds the Merlin helicopter?

AgustaWestland
AgustaLeonardoWestland AircraftWestland Helicopters
AgustaWestland AW101/Manufacturers