Overview
Developed by Westland and Agusta as the EH101, the AW101 is unusual in having three engines, which gives it a safety margin over the sea and in hot, high conditions. Its folding rotor and tail let it fit on frigate decks.
The Royal Navy's Merlin hunts submarines and carries Royal Marines, while other versions serve in search and rescue, VIP transport and, in Canada, as the CH-149 Cormorant rescue helicopter.
Specifications
Dimensions
| Length | 22.83 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 18.59 m |
| Height | 6.65 m |
Weights & fuel
| Empty weight | 10,500 kg |
|---|---|
| Max. take-off weight | 15,600 kg |
Performance
| Max. speed | 309 km/h |
|---|---|
| Cruise speed | 278 km/h |
| Range | 1,389 km |
| Service ceiling | 4,575 m |
Crew & capacity
| Crew | 3–4 |
|---|---|
| Seats (typical) | 30 |
| Seats (max.) | 38 |
Powerplant
| Engines | 3 |
|---|---|
| Engine model | Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01 |
| Power (each) | 1,566 kW |
Figures are compiled from public sources and may be approximate; they can vary by variant and configuration.
Photos
Photo 1: Pedro Aragão / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Some text and images come from Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA licences.
