In May 2015, the UK MoD and prime contractor Lockheed Martin UK selected Thales to provide the mission equipment for Crowsnest, the replacement of the Sea King ASaC 7 in the airborne early warning (AEW) role. Thales will procure 10 pod radars by 2019 that can be used in standard HM2 Merlins.
In April 2019, the first Crowsnest radar was fitted to a Royal Navy Merlin at Leonardo Yeovil
In April 2019, the first Crowsnest radar was fitted to a Royal Navy Merlin at Leonardo Yeovil
Crowsnest Merlin News |
Crowsnest Enters Service in Royal Navy
25-Mar-21 - The first of the new generation Airborne Early Warning (AEW) helicopter for the Royal Navy was delivered to 820 Squadron. The Merlin ASaC (Airborne Surveillance and Control) will make maiden deployment aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth this year #Crowsnest
Merlin Crowsnest AEW Delayed
20-Jul-20 - The Royal Navy new Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Merlin Crowsnest helicopter for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers is now expected to reach initial operational capability (IOC) in September 2021 #Crowsnest
Royal Navy Reactivates 744 Squadron for Crowsnet Merlin
28-Nov-18 - Royal Navy’ 744 Naval Air Squadron was reactivated at Boscombe Down to introduce the new fleet AEW platform, Crowsnest Merlin, to front-line service over the next 18 months plus the RAF’s upgraded Chinook Mk5s and Mk6s #744NAS
Royal Navy Announced Crowsnest Contract
16-Jan-17 - UK Minister for Defence announced £269M deal for new helicopter-borne Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and control surveillance system for the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. Crowsnest will be provided by Lockheed Martin and Thales #Crowsnest
Thales Radar for the Royal Navy Merlin AEW Variant
22-May-15 - Lockheed Martin UK, as the prime contractor for Crowsnest, have selected Thales as the chosen bidder to provide the radar and mission system for the Merlin Airborne Early Warning (AEW) variant List of Operators of Crowsnest Merlin |
| Years | Model | Org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998- | EH101 |  Fleet Air Arm |
Construction Numbers |
| C/N | Year | History | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50053 | 1999 | ZH831 | |
| 50109 | 2000 | ZH846 | |
| 50147 | 2001 | ZH856 |
