UK navy pushes for amphibious assault Merlin

摘要

UK Royal Navy (RN) officers are continuing to push to secure future funding for the conversion of 22 AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HC.3 and six ex-Danish HC.3A helicopters into amphibious assault platforms. The project, which would allow the service's Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) to retire its 38 1970s-vintage Westland Sea King HC.4s by 2016 and sustain a rotary-wing support capability for the Royal Marines' amphibious landing forces, is awaiting the go-ahead from UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) chiefs.