Westlands gets Merlin CSP contract
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Tee hee.....at last you realise....for gawds sake mate its YOU..... look...recognise, contain, diagnose
BUt in all seriousness...Ive worked extensively with the guys at Pax River and in particular during exercises in the Skag and N Sea and they are superb at chasing mines BUT.....ask 'em to search for a missing fisherman, interogate the Master of that passing merchant ship, collect Opintel of that suspect fast patrol boat and they look at you very strangely. Whereas, ask a Brit to do that as WELL as chasing mines...and he'll find your Mk 56 for ya.
BUt, we digress....... Lets maintain this thread on slating the EH101 (apparently there are now 101 of them...Duuuhhhh)
BUt in all seriousness...Ive worked extensively with the guys at Pax River and in particular during exercises in the Skag and N Sea and they are superb at chasing mines BUT.....ask 'em to search for a missing fisherman, interogate the Master of that passing merchant ship, collect Opintel of that suspect fast patrol boat and they look at you very strangely. Whereas, ask a Brit to do that as WELL as chasing mines...and he'll find your Mk 56 for ya.
BUt, we digress....... Lets maintain this thread on slating the EH101 (apparently there are now 101 of them...Duuuhhhh)
Last edited by southside; 25th Jan 2006 at 20:44.
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What sort of ASMs are people advocating should be fitted to the Merlin, and why? The RN is no longer in the game of pitched sea battles between opposing fleets, as indicated for example by the demise of Sea Eagle on WEBFs beloved SHAR.
To attack a medium sized, or larger, warship with a point defence system you need to lauch a salvo of ASMs larger than the payload that could be carried by a single Merlin. In current scenarios you are much more likely to be dealing with a small craft, FPB down to speedboat size. A Sea Skua type missile is no doubt adequate for that, and against speedboat type targets cannons/MGs would probably be better, but is the Merlin too expensive an asset to risk in this role? A role curently filled by the Lynx.
So are you advocating fitting ASMs to the Merlin just because you can - or is there actually a role for it to fulfil when so armed? Or should Merlin/Lynx operate in pairs, one to locate, the other to ident and attack if desired? Heaven forbid that the Lynx and Merlin worlds should actually co-operate together!!
To attack a medium sized, or larger, warship with a point defence system you need to lauch a salvo of ASMs larger than the payload that could be carried by a single Merlin. In current scenarios you are much more likely to be dealing with a small craft, FPB down to speedboat size. A Sea Skua type missile is no doubt adequate for that, and against speedboat type targets cannons/MGs would probably be better, but is the Merlin too expensive an asset to risk in this role? A role curently filled by the Lynx.
So are you advocating fitting ASMs to the Merlin just because you can - or is there actually a role for it to fulfil when so armed? Or should Merlin/Lynx operate in pairs, one to locate, the other to ident and attack if desired? Heaven forbid that the Lynx and Merlin worlds should actually co-operate together!!
Suspicion breeds confidence
To attack a medium sized, or larger, warship with a point defence system you need to lauch a salvo of ASMs larger than the payload that could be carried by a single Merlin. In current scenarios you are much more likely to be dealing with a small craft, FPB down to speedboat size. A Sea Skua type missile is no doubt adequate for that, and against speedboat type targets cannons/MGs would probably be better, but is the Merlin too expensive an asset to risk in this role? A role curently filled by the Lynx.
During Op Corporate if an RN Surface Action Group had encountered the Belgrano group, the plan was to use the Lynx / Sea Skua combination to disable the escorting destroyers and for the Lynx to provide OTH targetting for the SAG to unleash up to 12 Exocets against Belgrano. The Lynx could the clean up what ever was left. A bit togher to do with the Merlin eh?
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Nh90?
Did somebody say that the NH90 was proven? I think not my good man, not even sure if any have been delivered as yet!
Hey Southside - the reason why only 30 cabs are being converted is due to the budget being slashed by Uncle Gordon....this may also impact F Lynx but I am told that there will be an annoucement end of Feb on that...
The only problem with the MCSP contract is that LMA are stiil programme lead - sometimes I really wonder if our lords and masters listen to us at the sharp end!
The typical RN quote about the Merlin is 'great helicopter....when it's servicable!) but the typical RAF quote is 'great helicopter'. I think that jack could learn a few tricks from 28 sqn on keeping there cabs in the air! Just look a flying rates in Iraq!
Hey Southside - the reason why only 30 cabs are being converted is due to the budget being slashed by Uncle Gordon....this may also impact F Lynx but I am told that there will be an annoucement end of Feb on that...
The only problem with the MCSP contract is that LMA are stiil programme lead - sometimes I really wonder if our lords and masters listen to us at the sharp end!
The typical RN quote about the Merlin is 'great helicopter....when it's servicable!) but the typical RAF quote is 'great helicopter'. I think that jack could learn a few tricks from 28 sqn on keeping there cabs in the air! Just look a flying rates in Iraq!
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Brilliant. Thanks WEBF. Nice to see that the Lancaster was "Blazing a trail for the introduction of the Merlin fleet".
That was written in 2002...How many Merlin flights now contribute to that "Blazing trail of Merlin Helicopters" ?
That was written in 2002...How many Merlin flights now contribute to that "Blazing trail of Merlin Helicopters" ?
Suspicion breeds confidence
Urr 3... or is it 6 on frigates moving up to a maximum of 7. Not very impressive. It need weapons and sensors to equip it for todays needs. Once again opinion is divided. All the other major navies say are needed (and provided) the MoD says not. Much like organic air cover.
