Leonardo AW101 Merlin

The AgustaWestland (now Leonardo, previously EH Industries) Merlin is a relatively large medium-lift helicopter with three engines originally developed as a joint venture between the UK and Italy. First flying in 1987 the Merlin eventually entered service in 1999 and are built at Yeovil in Somerset and Vergiate in Italy. The Merlin has been developed for a variety of roles ranging from anti-submarine warfare to airborne early warning, search and rescue (SAR), police patrols or combat evacuation. In the Royal Navy service, a number of airframes have been modified to provide airborne early warning cover for the carriers using a radar system called ‘Crowsnest’ which will reach full operating capability during 2025.

The Portuguese Air Force is responsible for providing search and rescue cover to over 2 million square miles of the Portuguese coast, the Canary Islands, and the Azores therefore, a long-range helicopter is required to support these operations. A fleet of 12 Merlins entered service with 751 Squadron, known as the Pumas in 2006 replacing the SA330 Puma. Of the 12 examples in service with the 751 Squadron, six are configured for SAR, two for fisheries patrol, and four for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). 751 Squadron have aircraft on 24-hour standby at Montijo Air Base near Lisbon, Porto Santo on Madeira and Lajes Air Force Base in the Azores.

In a RIAT and UK debut, we are very pleased to announce that the Portuguese Air Force will be providing one of their smartly painted Merlin’s from 751 Squadron to perform a SAR demonstration in our flying display as part of our Eyes in the Skies theme.

Photo credit: Chris Lofting