EH101 Merlin
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Interesting playing catch-up on this thread, but when will Nick realise Bell's very close to AW these days. Indeed they'd be building the PP US101s if they hadn't lost their USG accounting clearance for a while.
Please don't shoot us, we're friendlies ...
Please don't shoot us, we're friendlies ...
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Can someone tell me what is the real empty weight of AW101 ?
Few years back Agusta was stating, that empty transport version was 22000lb, and MTOW was 34392lb. Now in their brochure for every version, one can find that MTOW didn't change, but there is no empty weight stated, only "useful" weight, which suppose do be 13228lb... Did they throw the pilots seats from empty to useful, or gravitation started working weird around that bird, so it lost 836lb without modifications ?
Few years back Agusta was stating, that empty transport version was 22000lb, and MTOW was 34392lb. Now in their brochure for every version, one can find that MTOW didn't change, but there is no empty weight stated, only "useful" weight, which suppose do be 13228lb... Did they throw the pilots seats from empty to useful, or gravitation started working weird around that bird, so it lost 836lb without modifications ?
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Each AW101 variant appears to have different basic specifications which would account for the variations. This can be due to number of fuel tanks, engine selection, basic avionics fit, lightweight, durable or heavyweight floors etc. The definition of useful load is likely to include any customer specific communications/navigation systems which may previously have been included in the basic definition.
The AW101 has undergone many modifications some heavier some lighter.
From my distant past I seem to remember that a basic EH101 was about 9.6t with residual oils and lubricants, the operating weight was about 10.2t.
Hope that helps.
lost 836lb without modifications
From my distant past I seem to remember that a basic EH101 was about 9.6t with residual oils and lubricants, the operating weight was about 10.2t.
Hope that helps.
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... fuselage re-design
Incidentally, back a few posts Nick was on about the fuselage re-design which
I thought it had to be re-designed because the project office didn't like the sources we used for Al-Lith?
Once the aircraft was being re-drawn in less esoteric materials, all sorts of extras were added (production improvements + spec changes). Hardly a re-design for crashworthiness.
I'd admit there are improvements which will still be made for improving the latter, but it's compliant as is (with survivors to attest to that, as per ZH844's post, including at least one US citzen).
Nimby
had to be redesigned to make it fit for modern military standards
Once the aircraft was being re-drawn in less esoteric materials, all sorts of extras were added (production improvements + spec changes). Hardly a re-design for crashworthiness.
I'd admit there are improvements which will still be made for improving the latter, but it's compliant as is (with survivors to attest to that, as per ZH844's post, including at least one US citzen).
Nimby
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Previous negative reports bogus, apparently.
2008/04/11
Successful ops push up demand for AW101 copters
By : Adrian David in Helston (England)
DEMAND for the AgustaWestland AW101, one of the four models shortlisted for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Nuri replacement programme, has picked up following its successful operations in various countries.
AgustaWestland communications manager Geoff Russell, said demand was so critical that even Britain's Royal Air Force had to "jump-queue" to acquire six AW101 intended for the Royal Danish Air Force last year.
Britain's Royal Navy operates 44 AW101 while its Royal Air Force has 22, some of which saw action in Iraq.
The Italian Navy has ordered 20 AW101, with an option for four more, Denmark bought 14, Portugal 12, Japan 14, Algeria six and Canada 14.
Russell said since 1997, more than 100 AW101 utility and combat variants had been delivered to Britain, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Canada and Denmark.
The AW101 (formerly the EH-101 Merlin) is among four helicopters being considered to replace the RMAF's ageing fleet of Sikorsky S61-A4 Sea Kings, better known as Nuri, by 2015.
The other three are the Eurocopter Cougar EC725, Sikorsky S92 and the Russian-made Mil Mi-17 Hip.
It is learnt that the government plans to allocate a budget of US$600 million (RM1.82 billion) to initially buy 12 of the new helicopters for service until 2050.
Eight units are planned for the RMAF for the Nuri replacement programme, while the remaining four would go to the army.
The army is using 17 of the RMAF's 29 Nuri for its training and utility operations, in addition to the 11 A109 light observation helicopters supplied by AgustaWestland since 2005.
The army is also scouting for newer models of general utility and attack helicopters.
Russell said AgustaWestland was prepared to negotiate a win-win deal for the RMAF, considering that the Anglo-Italian joint-venture, between Italy's Agusta of the Finmeccanica group and GKN of Britain, had invested RM20 million on a 50,000sq ft service and training facility in Subang, Selangor.
A further RM60 million will be invested at the facility in the near future.
Although the AW101 is comparable with the Eurocopter Cougar CH-148 Cyclone, NHI NH90 and Sikorsky S-92, there was greater demand for it owing to several factors.
"These include the AW101's fuselage which is damage and crash resistant, stringent vibration control, reduced noise signature, ability to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 to +50oC, armoured seats for the crew, and able to withstand an impact velocity of over 10 metres per second," Russell told a group of Malaysian journalists on a tour of AgustaWestland facilities in Europe.
He said the other special features of the AW101 were its flight controls that were designed to be flown by a single pilot, thanks to the high-definition instrumentation screens, digital maps, advanced avionics, radars, dipping sonar and weapons systems.
Among the onboard weapons are Sting Ray torpedoes, Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, general purpose machine guns, bombs and rockets.
The AW101 has a range of 1,583km, and a cruise speed of 280kph.
Successful ops push up demand for AW101 copters
By : Adrian David in Helston (England)
DEMAND for the AgustaWestland AW101, one of the four models shortlisted for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Nuri replacement programme, has picked up following its successful operations in various countries.
AgustaWestland communications manager Geoff Russell, said demand was so critical that even Britain's Royal Air Force had to "jump-queue" to acquire six AW101 intended for the Royal Danish Air Force last year.
Britain's Royal Navy operates 44 AW101 while its Royal Air Force has 22, some of which saw action in Iraq.
The Italian Navy has ordered 20 AW101, with an option for four more, Denmark bought 14, Portugal 12, Japan 14, Algeria six and Canada 14.
Russell said since 1997, more than 100 AW101 utility and combat variants had been delivered to Britain, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Canada and Denmark.
The AW101 (formerly the EH-101 Merlin) is among four helicopters being considered to replace the RMAF's ageing fleet of Sikorsky S61-A4 Sea Kings, better known as Nuri, by 2015.
The other three are the Eurocopter Cougar EC725, Sikorsky S92 and the Russian-made Mil Mi-17 Hip.
It is learnt that the government plans to allocate a budget of US$600 million (RM1.82 billion) to initially buy 12 of the new helicopters for service until 2050.
Eight units are planned for the RMAF for the Nuri replacement programme, while the remaining four would go to the army.
The army is using 17 of the RMAF's 29 Nuri for its training and utility operations, in addition to the 11 A109 light observation helicopters supplied by AgustaWestland since 2005.
The army is also scouting for newer models of general utility and attack helicopters.
Russell said AgustaWestland was prepared to negotiate a win-win deal for the RMAF, considering that the Anglo-Italian joint-venture, between Italy's Agusta of the Finmeccanica group and GKN of Britain, had invested RM20 million on a 50,000sq ft service and training facility in Subang, Selangor.
A further RM60 million will be invested at the facility in the near future.
Although the AW101 is comparable with the Eurocopter Cougar CH-148 Cyclone, NHI NH90 and Sikorsky S-92, there was greater demand for it owing to several factors.
"These include the AW101's fuselage which is damage and crash resistant, stringent vibration control, reduced noise signature, ability to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 to +50oC, armoured seats for the crew, and able to withstand an impact velocity of over 10 metres per second," Russell told a group of Malaysian journalists on a tour of AgustaWestland facilities in Europe.
He said the other special features of the AW101 were its flight controls that were designed to be flown by a single pilot, thanks to the high-definition instrumentation screens, digital maps, advanced avionics, radars, dipping sonar and weapons systems.
Among the onboard weapons are Sting Ray torpedoes, Sea Skua anti-ship missiles, general purpose machine guns, bombs and rockets.
The AW101 has a range of 1,583km, and a cruise speed of 280kph.
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Successful ops push up demand for AW101 copters
Although the AW101 is comparable with the Eurocopter Cougar CH-148 Cyclone, NHI NH90 and Sikorsky S-92, there was greater demand for it owing to several factors.
Isn't the CH-148 Cyclone the 2years behind delivery Sikorsky S-92 for the Canadian Armed Forces?
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Sorry CEFOSKEY
I got it wrong. I meant 2 to 3 years as written about here.
http://www.canada.com/globaltv/natio...0-8f85b0ce52c5
I got it wrong. I meant 2 to 3 years as written about here.
http://www.canada.com/globaltv/natio...0-8f85b0ce52c5
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Regarding the Portuguese Air Force,
we are currently working with the Merlin on SAR missions only, with one a/c near Lisbon, another one in Porto Santo Island and 2 a/c in the Azores.
By the way, forget about 400 nm range as stated by AW, we have found it very hard to go beyond 350 nm without landing with fumes in the tanks.
We've had the usual spares shortage, for which we are reactivating the "old" Puma (with Makila 1A1 engines). Same as Canada...
We've had an issue with the flight control system where an a/c took off without pilot intervention and another problem with the pitch change link parts, almost causing the loss of an a/c 250 nm from shore.
We don't deploy internationally at the moment.
we are currently working with the Merlin on SAR missions only, with one a/c near Lisbon, another one in Porto Santo Island and 2 a/c in the Azores.
By the way, forget about 400 nm range as stated by AW, we have found it very hard to go beyond 350 nm without landing with fumes in the tanks.
We've had the usual spares shortage, for which we are reactivating the "old" Puma (with Makila 1A1 engines). Same as Canada...
We've had an issue with the flight control system where an a/c took off without pilot intervention and another problem with the pitch change link parts, almost causing the loss of an a/c 250 nm from shore.
We don't deploy internationally at the moment.
Chief Bottle Washer
Oops
HMS Illustrious may be short of a tug off Istanbul 
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Hello everybody, im new to this forum so im not sure if im posting this in the right thread so i apologise if im not.
Im an aerospace student in my final year and im doing some research for a project, specifically, designing the undercarriage of a helicopter.
I am currently doing some research into the AW101/EH101 Merlin and was wondering if anybody could tell me the tyre sizes used on this or any similar rotorcraft? If not, any help or nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated
Im an aerospace student in my final year and im doing some research for a project, specifically, designing the undercarriage of a helicopter.
I am currently doing some research into the AW101/EH101 Merlin and was wondering if anybody could tell me the tyre sizes used on this or any similar rotorcraft? If not, any help or nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated
PPRuNer’s have successfully kept this AW101 thread buried for close to two and half years, and now look what you have done......and so close to Halloween too.
Knowing how long they spend on the ground, I suspect 101's are delivered with flat spots on their boots and therefore difficult to get consistently accurate data
However, assuming a weight of around 20,000lbs, the following info for the venerable S-61N might get you going in the right direction.
Main landing gear:
# tires/gear 2
Static load, each gear (lbs) 9,400
Tire size 6.50 x 10
Tire pressure, approximate (psi) 95
total/gear (sq in) 104
Contact pressure (psi) 91
Dynamic load/ gear @ 6.56 ‘/sec. (lbs) 13,667
Nose Landing Gear:
# tires/gear 1
Static load, each gear (lbs) 3,900
Tire size 6.00x6
Tire pressure, approximate (psi) 75
area, total/gear (sq in) 37.2
Contact pressure (psi) 105
Dynamic load/ gear @ 6.56 ‘/sec (lbs) 8,310
Knowing how long they spend on the ground, I suspect 101's are delivered with flat spots on their boots and therefore difficult to get consistently accurate data
However, assuming a weight of around 20,000lbs, the following info for the venerable S-61N might get you going in the right direction.
Main landing gear:
# tires/gear 2
Static load, each gear (lbs) 9,400
Tire size 6.50 x 10
Tire pressure, approximate (psi) 95
total/gear (sq in) 104
Contact pressure (psi) 91
Dynamic load/ gear @ 6.56 ‘/sec. (lbs) 13,667
Nose Landing Gear:
# tires/gear 1
Static load, each gear (lbs) 3,900
Tire size 6.00x6
Tire pressure, approximate (psi) 75
area, total/gear (sq in) 37.2
Contact pressure (psi) 105
Dynamic load/ gear @ 6.56 ‘/sec (lbs) 8,310
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Haha, thank you so much Hilife and Ian Corrigible, I really appreciate the help! It wasn't until I posted my question that I realised this thread hadn't been used since 2008! Was worried nobody would reply, so again, thank you both.
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Canada may use VH-71As as Christmas trees for grounded CH-149s
Confirmation of the rumor from September.
I/C
Canadian Forces eye Obama’s chopper cast-offs
The Ottawa Citizen November 1, 2010
The Defence Department is looking at whether it should buy U.S. President Barack Obama’s helicopter cast-offs as spare parts for the Canadian air force’s Cormorant search-and-rescue choppers.
Preliminary discussions are underway on the possible sale of the US101 helicopters to Canada. The aircraft, which were to form the new fleet of “Marine One” presidential helicopters, are similar to Canada’s CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue choppers which, at times, have been grounded because of a lack of spare parts. There could be as many as eight of the helicopters available for sale.
The Obama administration pulled the plug on the US101, also known as the VH-71, after the projected cost of the aircraft doubled from $6.5 billion to $13 billion U.S.. News reports indicate that the U.S. government invested $3 billion into the helicopters before the Pentagon decided to withdraw from the program. It’s expected if any deal is struck the amount Canada would pay would be significantly lower than $3 billion.
“Preliminary discussions are ongoing and DND is looking at the possible package composition, its value to the CF, and its impact on CH-149 operations,” Defence Department spokeswoman Lianne LeBel said.
The VH-71s and the Cormorants are similar variants of the Agusta-Westland EH-101 helicopter, she added. “Therefore, some VH-71 parts are common and compatible or can be modified to be compatible with the CH-149 Cormorant,” LeBel said. She did not have details on how long the discussions are expected to last.
The availability of spare parts for the CH-149 Cormorant fleet, delivered to units starting in 2001 and 2002, remains an ongoing problem, military officers acknowledge.
Canada originally bought 15 Cormorants but one has since crashed. The Cormorant helicopter fleet has faced a series of problems, including cracked windscreens and cracks in the tail rotor area. The aircraft have been hindered in their operations by the lack of spare parts.
Last week the government faced a scathing report from Auditor General Sheila Fraser as she criticized the Defence Department for how it purchased maritime and Chinook helicopters. In the case of the Chinook helicopter, Fraser said DND officials were aware that modifications needed for the aircraft would drive up costs but didn’t tell Treasury Board as it sought approval in 2006 for the purchase.
Defence analyst Martin Shadwick said the deciding factor for any Canadian purchase of the presidential helicopters will be price. “It could potentially be a good deal for the parts if the cost is low enough,” said Shadwick, a York University strategic studies professor.
When Obama came to presidency he balked at the high cost of the VH-71 helicopter program which had been started under former president George W. Bush. “The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me,” Obama told a group of his supporters at the time. “I think it is an example of the procurement process gone amuck, and we’re going to have to fix it.” The president’s helicopter is known as Marine One when he is flying on it.
In May 2009, the U.S. Defense Department axed the helicopter contract after the program fell years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget. Much of the blame for the problems was put on the U.S. government which continued to make changes in the program.
The Cormorant and its variant, the EH-101, have had a long history on Canada’s defence scene. In 1993, newly elected prime minister Jean Chrétien cancelled a $5-billion contract to purchase the EH-101. He said Canada couldn’t afford the helicopters ordered by the Conservatives and his government paid a $500 million penalty to get out of the contract.
Five years later, the air force selected the Cormorant, largely the same helicopter as the EH-101, as their choice for a new search-and-rescue helicopter.
But several years ago, a Canadian military team determined that because of limited availability of the Cormorants, 18 of the helicopters were needed for the air force to perform the search-and-rescue role once handled by a smaller number of 40-year-old Labrador choppers. The Labradors were phased out of service in 2004.
The Ottawa Citizen November 1, 2010
The Defence Department is looking at whether it should buy U.S. President Barack Obama’s helicopter cast-offs as spare parts for the Canadian air force’s Cormorant search-and-rescue choppers.
Preliminary discussions are underway on the possible sale of the US101 helicopters to Canada. The aircraft, which were to form the new fleet of “Marine One” presidential helicopters, are similar to Canada’s CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue choppers which, at times, have been grounded because of a lack of spare parts. There could be as many as eight of the helicopters available for sale.
The Obama administration pulled the plug on the US101, also known as the VH-71, after the projected cost of the aircraft doubled from $6.5 billion to $13 billion U.S.. News reports indicate that the U.S. government invested $3 billion into the helicopters before the Pentagon decided to withdraw from the program. It’s expected if any deal is struck the amount Canada would pay would be significantly lower than $3 billion.
“Preliminary discussions are ongoing and DND is looking at the possible package composition, its value to the CF, and its impact on CH-149 operations,” Defence Department spokeswoman Lianne LeBel said.
The VH-71s and the Cormorants are similar variants of the Agusta-Westland EH-101 helicopter, she added. “Therefore, some VH-71 parts are common and compatible or can be modified to be compatible with the CH-149 Cormorant,” LeBel said. She did not have details on how long the discussions are expected to last.
The availability of spare parts for the CH-149 Cormorant fleet, delivered to units starting in 2001 and 2002, remains an ongoing problem, military officers acknowledge.
Canada originally bought 15 Cormorants but one has since crashed. The Cormorant helicopter fleet has faced a series of problems, including cracked windscreens and cracks in the tail rotor area. The aircraft have been hindered in their operations by the lack of spare parts.
Last week the government faced a scathing report from Auditor General Sheila Fraser as she criticized the Defence Department for how it purchased maritime and Chinook helicopters. In the case of the Chinook helicopter, Fraser said DND officials were aware that modifications needed for the aircraft would drive up costs but didn’t tell Treasury Board as it sought approval in 2006 for the purchase.
Defence analyst Martin Shadwick said the deciding factor for any Canadian purchase of the presidential helicopters will be price. “It could potentially be a good deal for the parts if the cost is low enough,” said Shadwick, a York University strategic studies professor.
When Obama came to presidency he balked at the high cost of the VH-71 helicopter program which had been started under former president George W. Bush. “The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me,” Obama told a group of his supporters at the time. “I think it is an example of the procurement process gone amuck, and we’re going to have to fix it.” The president’s helicopter is known as Marine One when he is flying on it.
In May 2009, the U.S. Defense Department axed the helicopter contract after the program fell years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget. Much of the blame for the problems was put on the U.S. government which continued to make changes in the program.
The Cormorant and its variant, the EH-101, have had a long history on Canada’s defence scene. In 1993, newly elected prime minister Jean Chrétien cancelled a $5-billion contract to purchase the EH-101. He said Canada couldn’t afford the helicopters ordered by the Conservatives and his government paid a $500 million penalty to get out of the contract.
Five years later, the air force selected the Cormorant, largely the same helicopter as the EH-101, as their choice for a new search-and-rescue helicopter.
But several years ago, a Canadian military team determined that because of limited availability of the Cormorants, 18 of the helicopters were needed for the air force to perform the search-and-rescue role once handled by a smaller number of 40-year-old Labrador choppers. The Labradors were phased out of service in 2004.
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... that WAS several years ago though and largely due to inappropriate IP against contrary advice. 
Now they worry mainly about (largely GFE) equipment fit and what colour orange to wear.
Crews do have kit wants, like satellite comms which work at distance - they recently flew a 7,000 round trip for a fisherman. They also face cutting edge problems like providing rotary SAR at temps well below -40C, where lubs and fluids change rapidly to solids as soon as you stop flying ...
They rescue about 1,000 souls a year over a land mass which fits the whole of Europe easily into any of their main SAR MOB coverage zones.
... it's a race to see if the Cormorant mid-life update is before or after the Cyclone finishes trials
Now they worry mainly about (largely GFE) equipment fit and what colour orange to wear.
Crews do have kit wants, like satellite comms which work at distance - they recently flew a 7,000 round trip for a fisherman. They also face cutting edge problems like providing rotary SAR at temps well below -40C, where lubs and fluids change rapidly to solids as soon as you stop flying ...
They rescue about 1,000 souls a year over a land mass which fits the whole of Europe easily into any of their main SAR MOB coverage zones.
... it's a race to see if the Cormorant mid-life update is before or after the Cyclone finishes trials
Ich bin ein Prooner.
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Merlin Helicopter.
I hope you folks don't mind a question from an enthusiast. Here goes. There have been a couple of progs on the t.v. of late singing the praises of the Merlin helicopter.
Now, I think it is a good looking machine, but obviously that doesn't account for a lot in the real world.
So, how is the Merlin regarded in your industry, and the military?
Thanks.
N.Z.
Now, I think it is a good looking machine, but obviously that doesn't account for a lot in the real world.
So, how is the Merlin regarded in your industry, and the military?
Thanks.
N.Z.
Ich bin ein Prooner.
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The helicopter operating industry, broadly, and any military using it. As I said, I am an enthusiast, and was just enquiring generally about the Merlin.
The folks I saw in the progs I mentioned were extolling its virtues, but might that have been 'just for the cameras', or is the machine really earning its keep?
The folks I saw in the progs I mentioned were extolling its virtues, but might that have been 'just for the cameras', or is the machine really earning its keep?