AW101 Commando Merlin delivered

The first AW101 Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopter has been delivered to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton for use by the UK’s Commando Helicopter Force. The delivery marks a milestone for Leonardo’s Merlin Life Sustainment Programme contract, under which it has to convert 25 former Royal Air Force Merlin helicopters to fully marinized amphibious support Commando Merlin helicopters.

Geoff Munday, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in the UK, said at the ceremony: “The delivery marks the culmination of over four years of design, development and manufacturing effort by Leonardo here in the UK. The result is the world’s most advanced and capable amphibious support helicopter that can fly faster, further and carry much more than the now retired Commando Sea King, delivering a greatly enhanced capability to the Commando Helicopter Force.”