HH-101A - Italy

The Leonardo AW101 helicopter is in service with several countries around the world. To the UK armed forces the aircraft is known as the Merlin, while the Italian military uses a number of different versions, among which is the Italian Air Force's HH-101A Caesar. This derivative is armed with 7.62mm machine guns, can undertake air-to-air refuelling from KC-130J Hercules tankers, and operates in the combat search and rescue, special forces, medical evacuation and slow-moving intercept roles. The first of 15 HH-101As on order entered operational service with the 15° Stormo at Cervia.