MILITARY NEWS
The first Royal Navy Merlin HM2, ZH831, to be fitted with the Crowsnest system has begun test flying from Leonardo Helicopters’ airfield in Yeovil, Somerset. Following several test sorties in March, the designated trials helicopter made its official maiden flight with the airborne early warning (AEW) and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) system, on March 28, three days before the contractual deadline for this milestone. Formal aero-mechanical flight trials have begun and aim to assess the flight envelope and handling qualities of the Merlin with the external radome attached. The inflatable radome, fitted on the port side weapon station, remained in the stowed position for the initial sortie.
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