Puma, Merlin etc
Armed Forces: Helicopters
Questions
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Royal Navy aircrew and maintenance personnel have now converted to the Merlin 3 helicopter. [HL2992]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the first Royal Navy Merlin 3 helicopter squadron will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force. [HL2993]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether marinisation of the Merlin 3 helicopter has been fully funded in the Ministry of Defence forward programme.[HL2994]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the handover of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force will take place if marinisation has not been completed.[HL2995]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): As of 31 October 2013, 31 aircrew and 150 maintenance personnel have converted to the Merlin Mk3 helicopter. 32 aircrew and 33 maintenance personnel are currently undergoing conversion training, with a further 24 maintenance personnel entering conversion training before the end of the year.
The first Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopter squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron, will stand up as part of the Commando Helicopter Force in autumn 2014.
The ship-optimisation of the Merlin Mk3 helicopter is part of a wider package of aircraft enhancements that form the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme. The programme is currently in its Assessment Phase; programme funding will be considered as part of the Main Gate Business Case.
The transition of the Merlin Mk3 airframe to the Commando Helicopter Force is already underway and is due to complete in advance of the planned modification of the airframe.