Westlands gets Merlin CSP contract
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Westlands gets Merlin CSP contract
Good news. An opportunity to upgrade from 286 processors to 486 chips... 
But what happens to the other 12...?
AgustaWestland awarded major contract under MCSP programme
AgustaWestland 1/12
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce it has been awarded a major contract for the upgrade of 30 EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 helicopters for the UK Ministry of Defence under the Merlin Capability Sustainment Plus (MCSP) programme, with an option for a further eight.
Working in partnership with the MCSP Prime Contractor Lockheed Martin, the contract, worth approximately £400 million to AgustaWestland, will ensure that the Royal Navy’s EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 retains its position as the world’s most capable maritime patrol helicopter.
The focus of the programme is to enable cost-effective management of future obsolescence of the current aircraft’s equipment and systems, and to introduce an Open Systems Architecture (OSA) into the helicopter. The OSA design also enables easy and rapid adaption to future changing requirements, thereby allowing the EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 capability to be sustained until its planned out of service date in the 2030s. This spend-to-save approach is expected to save over £500 million in through life support costs for the Royal Navy’s EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 fleet.
The MCSP programme will also see AgustaWestland introduce its Helicopter Electro Actuation Technology (HEAT) onto the EH101 Merlin HM Mk1. HEAT introduces a state of the art, third generation fly by wire system that utilises electrical actuators in place of the existing hydraulic units, to provide the control inputs to the helicopter’s rotor systems. This technology reduces pilot workload, cost of ownership, maintenance and weight while giving improved survivability, safety, aircraft handling and agility.
AgustaWestland will be responsible for designing, procuring and integrating the new avionics suite, which will include new cockpit primary flight displays incorporating touch screen technology to deliver increased crew efficiency. AgustaWestland is also responsible for designing and integrating an updated communication and navigation system, and all aspects of air vehicle integration.
The Merlin HM Mk1 fleet will be progressively upgraded from 2010 and will see the updated and improved aircraft come into service from 2013. The work to upgrade the aircraft will take place at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK.
I/C
But what happens to the other 12...?AgustaWestland awarded major contract under MCSP programme
AgustaWestland 1/12
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce it has been awarded a major contract for the upgrade of 30 EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 helicopters for the UK Ministry of Defence under the Merlin Capability Sustainment Plus (MCSP) programme, with an option for a further eight.
Working in partnership with the MCSP Prime Contractor Lockheed Martin, the contract, worth approximately £400 million to AgustaWestland, will ensure that the Royal Navy’s EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 retains its position as the world’s most capable maritime patrol helicopter.
The focus of the programme is to enable cost-effective management of future obsolescence of the current aircraft’s equipment and systems, and to introduce an Open Systems Architecture (OSA) into the helicopter. The OSA design also enables easy and rapid adaption to future changing requirements, thereby allowing the EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 capability to be sustained until its planned out of service date in the 2030s. This spend-to-save approach is expected to save over £500 million in through life support costs for the Royal Navy’s EH101 Merlin HM Mk1 fleet.
The MCSP programme will also see AgustaWestland introduce its Helicopter Electro Actuation Technology (HEAT) onto the EH101 Merlin HM Mk1. HEAT introduces a state of the art, third generation fly by wire system that utilises electrical actuators in place of the existing hydraulic units, to provide the control inputs to the helicopter’s rotor systems. This technology reduces pilot workload, cost of ownership, maintenance and weight while giving improved survivability, safety, aircraft handling and agility.
AgustaWestland will be responsible for designing, procuring and integrating the new avionics suite, which will include new cockpit primary flight displays incorporating touch screen technology to deliver increased crew efficiency. AgustaWestland is also responsible for designing and integrating an updated communication and navigation system, and all aspects of air vehicle integration.
The Merlin HM Mk1 fleet will be progressively upgraded from 2010 and will see the updated and improved aircraft come into service from 2013. The work to upgrade the aircraft will take place at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK.
I/C
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: London
Age: 53
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Westlands gets Merlin CSP contract
No, that is to pay Lockheed for their expertise and assistance on the contract, and also to further integrate our arms industry with the wider arms industry on a global scale.
In other words, its to keep the yanks sweet methinks.
In other words, its to keep the yanks sweet methinks.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Somerset
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Westlands gets Merlin CSP contract
Here we go again
the Merlin was designed to meet a contract issued by the user, it does that.
This doesn't 'fix' anything, it's called technological progress and getting that into service for everyones benefit.
As for UK PLC, it's a British aircraft, are we suggesting that upgrading a product should be given to a different source than the Design authority?
Just be glad the best RN helo will be getting even better
DM
the Merlin was designed to meet a contract issued by the user, it does that.
This doesn't 'fix' anything, it's called technological progress and getting that into service for everyones benefit.
As for UK PLC, it's a British aircraft, are we suggesting that upgrading a product should be given to a different source than the Design authority?
Just be glad the best RN helo will be getting even better
DM
Re: Westlands gets Merlin CSP contract
Sorry dangermouse, got to disagree with you. There won't be anything like £400 million worth of whatever in this contract. Little more than a political sop to keep Westlands open
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Totally agree with Dangermouse - it is a decent helo. Pity it's an absolutely useless weapon platform delivering a capability we don't need and can't afford. Still, it is a nice looking helo - and that is obviously woth spending nearly ANOTHER billion or so on.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tamil Nadu
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glad you like the look of it Baggur cos I would wager my FRI that 2008 Rogets Thesaurus will read:
Merlin - MASC
SCMR
SABR
I wonder about other entries - what do you reckon:
CVF - no entry found!
Merlin - MASC
SCMR
SABR
I wonder about other entries - what do you reckon:
CVF - no entry found!
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: northside
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please behave. The Merlin is a crock of pooh. It cost far. far too much and for some reason we seem to be laying them up in the hangar. It has no ASM capibility, No IR detection cap and is little use in surface warefare. Its fantastic at finding submarines though...Hmmm.
This white eleophant has gone on for far too long with people defending it in order to keep their jobs. Enough fellas. Lets speak the truth for once.
This white eleophant has gone on for far too long with people defending it in order to keep their jobs. Enough fellas. Lets speak the truth for once.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Somewhere in UK
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK - I'll bite.
Spoken like a true unknowledgeable gentleman Southside, (can I just say you obviously have no ideal of the capability of the a/c and what the people who employ it think)
Spoken like a true unknowledgeable gentleman Southside, (can I just say you obviously have no ideal of the capability of the a/c and what the people who employ it think)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: northside
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Go on then. I'm listening. Where is the capibility? Why does it not have any weapons? What sort of military helicopter doesn't have weapons? Why doesn't it go to sea? Why are they locked up in the hangar? As a tax payer im concerned as to why we paid 45 million quid each for these beasts and then we go and whack another 400 million on them....which makes about 54 million quid each????
Why?
Why?
Blame My Parrot
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Somerdorset, UK
Age: 69
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thesaurus
I wonder about other entries - what do you reckon:
the Merlin was designed to meet a contract issued by the user, it does that.
When will we get an ASM on our Merlins, as the Italians already have?
But isn't Marlin largely used as an ISTAR asset, leaving surface attack to the Lynx?
See Tales from 820 NAS.
But isn't Marlin largely used as an ISTAR asset, leaving surface attack to the Lynx?
See Tales from 820 NAS.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: northside
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Exactly - So we have paid close to £55 million big ones and what have we got....? an airborne radar? Good. Good job we bought that cos were short of aircraft with radars in the AF's. Thank goodness for the Merlin. What would we have done without it...??
But hang on. Isn't the Merlin a Naval aircraft? An aircraft you would expect to find on ships? So why are they blocking the hangar doors at CU then? Why buy 44 and then upgrade 30. What are we doing with the remainder? So that will be £44 mill x 14 = £61,000,000 down the swanny. Shame on the lot of you.
But hang on. Isn't the Merlin a Naval aircraft? An aircraft you would expect to find on ships? So why are they blocking the hangar doors at CU then? Why buy 44 and then upgrade 30. What are we doing with the remainder? So that will be £44 mill x 14 = £61,000,000 down the swanny. Shame on the lot of you.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Somewhere in UK
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes Merlin does have a radar - I see you forgot to mention all the other tactical input it brings to the battle - (which is considerably more than current Naval Aircraft with radars!)(convenient that you forgot that huh?)
As you have been at Cu standing by hangar doors - Maybe if you were aware of the bigger picture you would know why they are not at sea. How many Merlin capable platforms are at sea at the moment ? (maybe, just maybe its not Merlins fault)
And as for the upgrade of 30 - You may have noticed that a few of them have crashed and its very difficult to put them back together after that!
When you are standing by the hangar doors next maybe a chat to some of the people who use them (shocking advise I know) rather than just slag off the advance of technology.
Yes I know we all fear change, but , can I suggest you go on a POAC course and you will learn a lot more - Good Luck in the future!
As you have been at Cu standing by hangar doors - Maybe if you were aware of the bigger picture you would know why they are not at sea. How many Merlin capable platforms are at sea at the moment ? (maybe, just maybe its not Merlins fault)
And as for the upgrade of 30 - You may have noticed that a few of them have crashed and its very difficult to put them back together after that!
When you are standing by the hangar doors next maybe a chat to some of the people who use them (shocking advise I know) rather than just slag off the advance of technology.
Yes I know we all fear change, but , can I suggest you go on a POAC course and you will learn a lot more - Good Luck in the future!