Merlin continues to evolve with new capabilities continue to
be retrofitted, such as electro optical infra-red camera, full
motion video, defensive aide's suite and ballistic
protection.
HAVANT, England, Oct. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) has led the celebrations to recognise the
25th anniversary of the Royal Navy's Merlin
anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter. The original contract
for the Merlin Mk1 helicopter was awarded on October 9, 1991.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161016/429095
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141118/159313LOGO
An event, held in Portsmouth's
Historic Dockyard, brought together past and present members of the
Ministry of Defence (MOD), Royal Navy and industry team members in
celebration of the milestone. Memories, experiences, photos and
videos of the programme's 25 year journey were shared.
In 1991, the £2.2 billion Merlin Mk1 programme was the largest
and most sophisticated systems integration project to date. The
contract provided 44 airframes, a state of the art training system
and a maintenance and support system to the Royal Navy.
Entering service in 1999 and deployed on operations for the
first time in 2000, the Merlin Mk1 significantly enhanced the UK's
maritime operational capability with the provision of a new and
versatile, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability.
Ten years ago, the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme
(MCSP) began. Building on the successful legacy of the Mk1, MCSP
was a £750 million project that created 30 upgraded and enhanced
Mk2 helicopters, extending their service with the Royal Navy. Over
this decade, employees from both Lockheed Martin and Leonardo have
been involved in the design, development and manufacture of the
Merlin Mk2.
"Over 25 years of partnership and collaboration, our joint
industry-military team has accomplished so much on the Merlin
programme," said Stephanie Hill,
vice president of Cyber Ships and Advanced Technologies for
Lockheed Martin. "Delivering the 30th Mk 2 in July was a great
moment, and we are proud to continue equipping the Royal Navy with
the tools they need to perform their vital missions."
"Attending the anniversary was a real pleasure and brought back
many memories from the past, said Phil
Shaw, chief executive of Lockheed Martin India, but ten
years ago was heading up the capability sustainment programme for
the Royal Navy. "It was absolutely wonderful to catch up with old
acquaintances within Lockheed Martin, Leonardo and in the Royal
Navy. The number of people that attended is testament to the
relationships between the all the parties involved."
The Merlin programme has maintained critical sovereign
capabilities for the UK, while creating and maintaining more than
1,000 jobs, with much of the development work on the mission system
carried out by British engineers.
The Merlin Mk2 helicopter is an advanced helicopter and is noted
for its unmatched versatility. Primarily designed for 'blue water'
operations, it has proved equally adept in a littoral 'brown water'
environment. As well as its primary role of anti-submarine warfare,
the Merlin has successfully demonstrated capabilities in search and
rescue, troop transport, vertical replenishment and casualty
evacuation.
About Lockheed Martin UK: Lockheed Martin UK,
headquartered in London, is the
UK-based arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a global security and
aerospace company principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services.
www.lockheedmartin.co.uk