Merlin HM1 questions.....
Are we talking about the grey one or the green one? If its the former, then the operators are impressed by how capable the sensors are, and how well it handles on deck.
However.....
1. Is it possible or desirable for the Merlin to be fitted with the HMG pod, given the current threat from small surface craft?
2. Is it possible for the Type 23 Frigate to carry both a Merlin and a Lynx (for Sea Skua and machine gun capability)?
3. The Italians have armed their Merlins (or whatever they call them) with anti ship missiles. Will we do the same?
4. It is planned that out of sixteen T23s, only twelve will receive Merlin and the new 2087 towed array sonar. Given the ship handling problems associated with towed arrays, isn't Merlin a more serious thing to not get. Shouldn't they at least get Merlin?
5. Is the Junglie Sea King 4 replacement likely to be a Merlin, or is the V22 Osprey a contender?
6. Is Merlin or V22 more likely and/or more desirable for MASC?
7. Broadsheet 2003 mentions that RN aircraft did mine hunting sorties during Operation Telic. It does not say whether this was Lynx or Merlin? Surely no sane person would advocate looking for mines with a sonar suspended directly under the aircraft? Or would they? Or were they referring to an optical hunting role?
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 4th Jun 2004 at 15:16.