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Old 14th Jan 2007, 16:10
  #928 (permalink)  
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As you might expect, Lockheed Martin UK has a page on MASC.

Shouldn't that Merlin have stub wings?

Lockheed Martin are also investigating enhanced Rotary Wing solutions where our approach is to propose the best value Rotary Wing solution to meet the User Requirement Document as an Airborne Early Warning and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance asset, covering force protection, littoral manoeuvre and force projection.

Why not consider using another airframe? Chinook perhaps? Greater altitude therefore greater radar range, better range and speed, and lots of room for people and equipment. Unfortunately, the rotors don't fold, so it takes up a lot of space on deck. I also think the priority for any new Chinooks would be the Support Helicopter role.

What about the V22 Osprey? The USMC intend to operate it as sea. I am sure that somewhere I've seen an image of what an Osprey with an array antenna attached to the fuselage.
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