25 ex RAF Merlin HC.3 and HC.3A airframes transferred to the Royal Navy to provide the Royal Marine Commando lift, during the retirement of the Sea King HC.4/HC.6 fleet. The HC.3/HC.3A transfer from the RAF began on 30 Sep 2014 and completed on 9 Jul 2015. 846 Squadron first unit to operate from Sep 2014. 845 Squadron will be the second FAA unit to stand up.
The HC.3 on transfer were not optimised for maritime operations and temporary marinisation work was undertaken to provide minimal capability (eg folding main rotors) under the Interim HC.3 (iHC.3) programme - in advance of the full conversion to HC.4 standard across the fleet.
The HC.3 on transfer were not optimised for maritime operations and temporary marinisation work was undertaken to provide minimal capability (eg folding main rotors) under the Interim HC.3 (iHC.3) programme - in advance of the full conversion to HC.4 standard across the fleet.
In 2022 Leonardo completed update of 25 helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP)
The Merlin HC4 on display at Yeovilton Air Day 2017 was the second production Mk4 the first appeared before Air Day on a visit but it was the second aircraft complete with nose mounted FlIR Ball that was there on the Saturday
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Last Merlin Mk4 Delivered to Royal Navy
12-Jan-23 - Leonardo Yeovil delivered the 25th and last Merlin Mk.4 to Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) as part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) which upgraded ex RAF HC.3/3A since 2014 #RoyalMarines
Leonardo Completed Royal Navy Merlin MLSP Upgrade
10-Dec-22 - Former Royal Air Force (RAF) 19 Mk3 and 6 (ex Danish) Mk3a Merlins were upgraded as Mk4 / M4a under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) to be used by the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) until 2030 #RoyalMarines
RFA Argus Merlin Rescues Kayakers in the Caribbean
23-Jun-20 - A Royal Navy Commando Merlin HC4 helicopter attached to the support ship RFA Argus currently deployed in the Caribbean rescued three missing kayakers off the Cayman Islands #kayakers
Merlin Lands on River Batch 2 OPV
13-May-20 - A Royal Navy Merlin HC.4 landed for the time on the new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ship HMS Medway #Merlin| More News ... |  |
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