EH101 Merlin
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All helos can, if the pilot is good enough.
http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk/videos/
I direct your attention to the CH53 being looped and rolled
http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk/videos/
I direct your attention to the CH53 being looped and rolled
Chief Bottle Washer
AAR trials
Mil Forum thread about the trials yesterday, with photos of an Italian crewed C130J refueling an EH101 off South Devon 
Nice job good phots.
It is the Jurassic coast after all....
showing some Triassic at Bindon landslip Seaton for the A1 QHIs still reading this.
dont worry got greatcoat already. pp.
It is the Jurassic coast after all....
showing some Triassic at Bindon landslip Seaton for the A1 QHIs still reading this.
dont worry got greatcoat already. pp.
Chief Bottle Washer
Originally Posted by cordy2016v
is'nt that a us101
No, it looks more like the BERP-IV trials aircraft:
AgustaWestland press release.
The C-130J is not Italian. It's from Lyneham (probably 880), but the crew flying it is Italian, from Pratica di Mare (from the Repart Sperimentale Volo).
Arrakis
Arrakis
Actually I don't think the Herc is one of ours. As discussed on the military thread the RAF Herc fleet gave up their AAR capability a number of years ago, and that aint an RAF roundel on the side!
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"The C-130J is not Italian."
Err. . yes, it is. Just for continuity's sake I'll repeat what I said in the thread upstairs, the RAF have no J's with drogue pods, underwing tanks or Italian roundels! It's the same aircraft (and crew) the French used for the EC-725 Caracal AAR trials last year.
Err. . yes, it is. Just for continuity's sake I'll repeat what I said in the thread upstairs, the RAF have no J's with drogue pods, underwing tanks or Italian roundels! It's the same aircraft (and crew) the French used for the EC-725 Caracal AAR trials last year.
Yes, you are right. Webpage Babelfish translation 
.
http://ftp.aeronautica.difesa.it/Sit...g=&idente=1398
They are quite clear
It's an italian machine.
My mistake.
Arrakis
.http://ftp.aeronautica.difesa.it/Sit...g=&idente=1398
They are quite clear
"dall’aerocisterna C-130J dell'Aeronautica Militare, condotta da un test team del Reparto Sperimentale Volo (RSV) di Pratica di Mare (Roma)."
My mistake.
Arrakis
Chief Bottle Washer
Having posted the link to the AW press release, I guess it's worth mentioning the increase in performance attributed to the BERP-IV blades: 198kts, and up to 16,500kg 
AgustaWestland has successfully completed the qualification flight testing of the new generation BERP IV AW101 main rotor blades. The new technology blades will enter operational service in early 2008 on the UK's Royal Air Force fleet of AW101 Merlin Mk.3A helicopters. The BERP IV program commenced in 2000 with a technology selection and integration phase leading to the design and manufacturing phase in 2002. The blades first flew in September 2006 and have now completed a 13 month flight test programme during which the AW101 was flown at speeds up to 198 knots and at altitudes of 13,000 ft. Aircraft fitted with BERP IV blades have also been flown at weights up to 16,500 kg - 1,900 kg over the normal Merlin gross weight and 900 kg over the current AW101 maximum gross weight.
The BERP IV main rotor blades have now been productionised and manufactured by AgustaWestland within six months of a contract award by the MoD to support an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for increased hot and high lift capability on the AW101 Merlin Mk 3A helicopters. The blades can also be directly retrofitted to other AW101 variants as a direct replacement for the existing blades. Graham Cole, Managing Director - Business at AgustaWestland said “The BERP IV rotor blades deliver significant capability improvements for the AW101 which the Royal Air Force and other customers will greatly appreciate. The speed at which we have evolved the BERP IV blade technology is a credit to the joint Ministry of Defence and AgustaWestland team."
BERP IV blades represent the next generation of rotor technology developed under a jointly funded AgustaWestland and UK Ministry of Defence rotor technology development and demonstration programme. The blades incorporate an improved planform, new aerofoil sections and an advanced aeroelastically tailored structure to provide reduced vibration, 10 knots additional cruise speed and 650 kg additional lift capability over the standard AW101 Merlin main rotor blades. AgustaWestland test pilot Dick Trueman said “The harder these blades work the better they perform; they give the AW101 a very useful improvement in lift capability. The already smooth AW101 is even smoother with these blades - vibration levels were so low we often had to check the active vibration control system on the AW101 was switched off during testing!”
The BERP IV main rotor blades have now been productionised and manufactured by AgustaWestland within six months of a contract award by the MoD to support an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for increased hot and high lift capability on the AW101 Merlin Mk 3A helicopters. The blades can also be directly retrofitted to other AW101 variants as a direct replacement for the existing blades. Graham Cole, Managing Director - Business at AgustaWestland said “The BERP IV rotor blades deliver significant capability improvements for the AW101 which the Royal Air Force and other customers will greatly appreciate. The speed at which we have evolved the BERP IV blade technology is a credit to the joint Ministry of Defence and AgustaWestland team."
BERP IV blades represent the next generation of rotor technology developed under a jointly funded AgustaWestland and UK Ministry of Defence rotor technology development and demonstration programme. The blades incorporate an improved planform, new aerofoil sections and an advanced aeroelastically tailored structure to provide reduced vibration, 10 knots additional cruise speed and 650 kg additional lift capability over the standard AW101 Merlin main rotor blades. AgustaWestland test pilot Dick Trueman said “The harder these blades work the better they perform; they give the AW101 a very useful improvement in lift capability. The already smooth AW101 is even smoother with these blades - vibration levels were so low we often had to check the active vibration control system on the AW101 was switched off during testing!”
Chief Bottle Washer
A couple more photos of the AAR trials:
"To support our win strategy of providing the Air Force the lowest risk offer, we completed the aerial refuelling tests prior to contract award" said Dan Spoor, Lockheed Martin’s CSAR-X vice president. “With this proven aerial refuelling capability, the aircraft has demonstrated all critical capabilities required for the CSAR mission. The aircraft exceeds the technical readiness level required by the CSAR-X RFP.” All Merlin Mk3 helicopters have air refuelling capability and this trial is the latest step in providing an Operational Release for in-service Merlin Mk3 helicopters fitted with the advanced design BERP III and BERP IV rotor blades.
"The robust NDI air refuelling technology employed on the HH-71 combined with its excellent cockpit visibility, significant probe to blade clearance, precise handling qualities and high power margins result in the most capable, low risk aerial refuelling helicopter for the CSAR-X mission,” said Stephen C. Moss, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland North America. “The fact that the sorties were flown with both the BERP III and the BERP IV advanced rotor systems, makes the successful trials all the more significant.” The tests were performed through the collaboration of the HH-71 Team, Britain’s Ministry of Defence, the Aircraft Test & Evaluation Centre (QinetiQ Boscombe Down), the Italian Air Force, the Department of Experimental Flight Pratica di Mare (Rome), and the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency.
"The robust NDI air refuelling technology employed on the HH-71 combined with its excellent cockpit visibility, significant probe to blade clearance, precise handling qualities and high power margins result in the most capable, low risk aerial refuelling helicopter for the CSAR-X mission,” said Stephen C. Moss, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland North America. “The fact that the sorties were flown with both the BERP III and the BERP IV advanced rotor systems, makes the successful trials all the more significant.” The tests were performed through the collaboration of the HH-71 Team, Britain’s Ministry of Defence, the Aircraft Test & Evaluation Centre (QinetiQ Boscombe Down), the Italian Air Force, the Department of Experimental Flight Pratica di Mare (Rome), and the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency.
If the RAF Herc fleet no longer does helicopter AAR.....who does it for the UK Forces?
Chief Bottle Washer
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At 198 knots, they must have been feeding the engines dynamite, or have been in the proverbial "shallow dive".
Sounds like some fewer number of those blades will be needed:
Navy Programs Cut
Two of the Navy's highest-profile programs would be cut: the Littoral Combat Ship and the VH-71 presidential helicopter.
Lockheed's VH-71 program aims to replace the 19 aircraft, some of them 40 years old, known as Marine Helicopter Squadron One. These craft ferry the president, vice president and heads of state. The Pentagon refused the Navy's request to buy four helicopters, shifting the $555 million for this purchase to continued development of a program that started at $6.1 billion and has seen major cost overruns. With the $555 million, the request for continued development totals $1 billion.
Sounds like some fewer number of those blades will be needed:
Navy Programs Cut
Two of the Navy's highest-profile programs would be cut: the Littoral Combat Ship and the VH-71 presidential helicopter.
Lockheed's VH-71 program aims to replace the 19 aircraft, some of them 40 years old, known as Marine Helicopter Squadron One. These craft ferry the president, vice president and heads of state. The Pentagon refused the Navy's request to buy four helicopters, shifting the $555 million for this purchase to continued development of a program that started at $6.1 billion and has seen major cost overruns. With the $555 million, the request for continued development totals $1 billion.
I think in light of Senior Pilot's posting....there ain't no helicopter AAR capability in the UK Forces....or am I missing sometime obivious?
Nick,
I would imagine you are smiling like the proverbial Cheshire Cat with the news of the trash canning of the VH Contract. The poor old Marine Corps sure knows how to spend money on state of the art aircraft....Osprey, Harrier, now the 101....wonder what is next?
Perhaps some of those billions of wasted dollars could have been spent on up-armored vehicles for the guys and gals in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of being poured down the Pee Tube.
Nick,
I would imagine you are smiling like the proverbial Cheshire Cat with the news of the trash canning of the VH Contract. The poor old Marine Corps sure knows how to spend money on state of the art aircraft....Osprey, Harrier, now the 101....wonder what is next?
Perhaps some of those billions of wasted dollars could have been spent on up-armored vehicles for the guys and gals in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of being poured down the Pee Tube.
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???
I am slightly confused by Nicks post (but not by the subsequent ones)
The VH71 programme hasn't been cancelled (regardless of some peoples fantasies)
and as for the BERP IV flight data, unless he was there how can he comment?
Finally for the nay sayers on AAR has nobody heard of inter service operability...
DM
The VH71 programme hasn't been cancelled (regardless of some peoples fantasies)
and as for the BERP IV flight data, unless he was there how can he comment?
Finally for the nay sayers on AAR has nobody heard of inter service operability...
DM
DM,
If the RAF does not do helicopter AAR....that would leave the Army....or Navy to do the mission it would appear. The Army got rid of it's Austers a long time ago and I can't recall the Navy ever having such a capability.
If by "inter-service" you actually mean "international" then perhaps we both agree. Perhaps that is demonstrated in the photographs where the Italians provided the Tanker.
SpecOPs capability must be constrained by that situation.....having to go hat in hand to outsiders for that kind of assistance.
If the RAF does not do helicopter AAR....that would leave the Army....or Navy to do the mission it would appear. The Army got rid of it's Austers a long time ago and I can't recall the Navy ever having such a capability.
If by "inter-service" you actually mean "international" then perhaps we both agree. Perhaps that is demonstrated in the photographs where the Italians provided the Tanker.
SpecOPs capability must be constrained by that situation.....having to go hat in hand to outsiders for that kind of assistance.
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"At 198 knots, they must have been feeding the engines dynamite, or have been in the proverbial "shallow dive"."
And exactly where, Mr Lappos, has anyone suggested the refuellings took place at 198 knots?
Your continued insistence on attacking anything and everything that the -101 team does or achieves starts to grate after a while sir. All the while thinking that throwing in the odd "The EH-101 is a fine helicopter" comment here and there will show how even handed you're being. Care to comment on the rapidly evolving Cyclone debacle in the interests of even-handedness? Thought not. Too busy using old -101 marketing brochures and the like to justify your position without reference to the real world. You have almost got a free pass on here because of your past. That you continue to use that pass to gainsay anything to do with the -101 using your credentials (impressive as they are) to provide some kind of authority to your position reflects poorly on you. The -101 is a fine military helicopter. The S-92 is a fine civilian helicopter. See the difference?
I dunno, next you'll be telling us that the Cyclone was a decision based on capability and not embarrassing politics. Stop it! My sides are hurting!
And exactly where, Mr Lappos, has anyone suggested the refuellings took place at 198 knots?
Your continued insistence on attacking anything and everything that the -101 team does or achieves starts to grate after a while sir. All the while thinking that throwing in the odd "The EH-101 is a fine helicopter" comment here and there will show how even handed you're being. Care to comment on the rapidly evolving Cyclone debacle in the interests of even-handedness? Thought not. Too busy using old -101 marketing brochures and the like to justify your position without reference to the real world. You have almost got a free pass on here because of your past. That you continue to use that pass to gainsay anything to do with the -101 using your credentials (impressive as they are) to provide some kind of authority to your position reflects poorly on you. The -101 is a fine military helicopter. The S-92 is a fine civilian helicopter. See the difference?
I dunno, next you'll be telling us that the Cyclone was a decision based on capability and not embarrassing politics. Stop it! My sides are hurting!
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Common Sense At Last!!!!!
Well said young dmanton 300!!
Pull your neck in Mr Lappos, you can start crowing when and only when the Canadian navy embarks a Cyclone onto one of it's ships....
198 knots....what a load of rubbish....all trials were conducted at 120 knots using a EH101 (not AW101) Merlin HC Mk3 loaned from the RAF to support the BERP development....those are the facts..
844
Pull your neck in Mr Lappos, you can start crowing when and only when the Canadian navy embarks a Cyclone onto one of it's ships....
198 knots....what a load of rubbish....all trials were conducted at 120 knots using a EH101 (not AW101) Merlin HC Mk3 loaned from the RAF to support the BERP development....those are the facts..
844