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#1813 Merlin Helicopter Force print

Merlin Helicopter Force print
Purchased products will not feature the Squadron Prints watermark
£10.00 €11.31 $13.17
43.8 cm x 29.2 cm
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Print
Merlin HM2; Merlin HM2 ASaC
ZH850; ZH843
RNAS Culdrose
UK - Navy
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Description

Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1813 - Merlin Helicopter Force. ZH850, Merlin HM2, ZH843, Merlin HM2 ASaC.

Merlin Helicopter Force was established in January 2000, comprising 38 Merlin Mk1 Helicopters and 5 squadrons; 814 NAS and 820 NAS charged with delivery of aircraft carrier and land-based operations; 829 NAS delivering small ship operations; 824 NAS tasked with training all aircrew and engineers; and 700(M) responsible for test, evaluation and incremental development. Equipped with advanced sonar, radar, electronic support measures and armed with the Sting Ray torpedo, the force was originally created to support defence of the UK homeland, task group protection and theatre entry Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). To maintain the operational advantage, 30 aircraft were upgraded to the Mk2 in 2013 and the capability of the aircraft and personnel within MHF ensure it remains the world’s leading ASW helicopter; operating both ashore and with the Royal Navy’s strike groups and frigates. In addition to aircraft modification, Merlin Helicopter Force has also undergone iterative structural change to ensure optimal efficiency in delivery of its obligations to UK Defence. In 2008 700(M) was disbanded and in 2018 829 NAS was merged into 814 NAS, taking over Type 23 frigate flights and supporting the ships in tasks like submarine hunting in the North Sea. In 2020, 820 NAS received the first of its Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) mission systems delivered by the Crowsnest programme, diversifying the capability of the force into Airborne Early Warning and Fighter Control. When combining with the on board F-35s they provide the organic strike and defence across the whole force.

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