Specifications
EH-101 / AW-101
| General |
|
| Design
organisation |
AgustaWestland |
| Main
secundary design organisations |
General
Electric |
| Production
organisaton |
AgustaWestland |
| Primary
task |
Multi-role
helicopter |
| Type
aircraft |
Transport
helicopter |
| Specials |
74.92
ft (22.83 meters) |
| Length |
21.83
ft (6.66 meters) |
| Height |
|
| Width |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Engines |
3x
GE CT7-8E turboshaft engines |
| Power |
3x
2041 shp maximum continuous power (3x 1522 kW) |
| Rotor
blades |
4x
MR, 4x TR |
| Main
Rotor diamater |
61
ft (18.60 meter) |
| Main
Rotor rpm |
|
| Blade
Folding |
|
| Weights |
|
| Weight
(empty) |
|
| Weight
(maximum) |
34392
lb (15600 kg) |
| Performance |
|
| Cruise
speed |
150
knots (278 km/h) |
| Maximum
speed |
|
| Maximum
vertical speed |
|
| Ceiling |
|
| Maximum
range |
735
nm (1360 km) |
| Fuel
capacity |
1357
US gall (5135 l) |
| Air-to-air
refueling (ATAR) |
|
| Transport |
|
| Passengers |
38 |
| Cargo
capacity |
|
| External
cargo capacity |
|
| Internal
dimensions |
|
| Length |
|
| Width |
|
| Height |
|
| Equipment |
|
| Armament |
|
| Maximum
weapon load |
|
| Radar |
|
| Sensors |
|
| Avionics |
Possible
combination of:
- NVG compatible glass cockpit
- 2x Aircraft Mission Management Computers with Data Transfer Module
- 2x Multifunction Control & Display Units
- Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS)
- Integrated standby instruments
- SATCOM
- Digital Map System
- Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)
- TCAS
- TACAN
- Doppler velocity sensor
- Obstacle warning system
- Direction Finder and Personnel Locator Systems
- Search light & loud speaker
- Mission data recorder
- Point-to-point video uplink/downlink
- Tactical Mission computer, including data link
- Active dipping sonar and sonobuoy dispensing
- Helmet Mounted Display with optional tracker
- Integrated Defensive Aids Suite, including missile, laser, radar
warning, active countermeasures |
| Type
flight controls |
Dual
duplex digital automatic flight control system |
| Landing
gear |
|
| Optional
equipment |
|
| Usage |
|
| Maximum
G resistance |
|
| Versions |
HC3,
HC3A, |
| Manufactured |
|
| Crew |
2 |
| Costs |
|
| Overall
flight hours |
|
| First
flight |
|
| First
delivery |
|
| Operational
since |
|
| Successor
of |
|
| Replaced
by |
|
| Comparable
helicopter |
CH-53K,
MH-53E, |
| Operators
(past, current and future) |
Algeria,
Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi-Arabia,
Turkmenistan, United-Kingdom |
| Main
operators |
United-Kingdom |
| Amphibious
usage |
Yes |
| Status |
In
operational service |
Operators
The AW-101/EH-101 is/will become in service with:
1. the United-Kingdom (Navy and Air Force)
2. Italy (Navy and Air Force)
3. Canada
4. Portugal
5. Denmark
6. Japan
7. United States of America.
8. Algeria
1. United-Kingdom
The British Air Force (Royal Air Force) bought 22 EH-101 SH Merlin support
helicopters in the beginning of which the first came operational in 2000
and the last one in 2002. In 2007, 6 Merlins HC3A's were bought from the
Danish military. They are operated by 28 and 78 squadron on Benson Air
Force base. They are designated with as Merlin HC3 and HC3A.
The helicopters can be used for: troop transport, transport of small vehicles
and/or cargo, support of ground forces by various operations, combat search
and rescue operations and they are able to operate in national, NATO and
UN operations.
Systems
The British merlins are equipped to receive fuel in the air which increases
the range. They are also having a active vibration damp system which reduces
the sound and vibrations in the helicopter till a similar turboprop helicopter.
Operations: The EH-101 from the RAF have been used in operations like
Bosnia and from april 2005 in Iraq.
2.
Italy
Italy has bought 4 utility helicopters.
6.
Japan
The Japanese Maritime Self-defence Force has bought 14 EH-101 utility
transport helicopters to replace the MH-53E and S-61 fleet. Japan will
has bought them for Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) and Antarctic
support requirements.
8. Algeria
The Air Force of Algeria has ordered 6 AW-101's where of the 1st has begun
its test-flying.
References:
1. AgustaWestland
2. British
Royal Air Force
3.
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