On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Leonardo Helicopters (part of the Italian Leonardo Group) announced that the modernized Commando Merlin HC Mk4/4A medium multirole helicopters (locally designated as AW101), operated by the British Royal Navy, have achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC).
As stated in the press release, under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), 25 modernized helicopters have been delivered to the 845 and 846 Squadrons of the Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), operating under the 3rd Commando Brigade. These units support the operations of special forces and the Royal Marines.
The first flight of the Mk4/4A took place on October 24, 2016, and deliveries began on May 24, 2018. The helicopters replaced the outdated Commando Sea King HC Mk.4. However, one of the modernized helicopters crashed on September 12, 2024.
The program was carried out under a 388 million GBP contract signed in January 2014 between the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) agency and Leonardo Helicopters. The conversion of older Commando Merlin HC Mk3/Mk3A helicopters to the new standard was conducted at the company’s Yeovil facility in the UK. These helicopters were previously operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) but were transferred to the Royal Navy as part of the 2009 defense reform.
Clive Scott, SVP UK Business, Leonardo Helicopters UK, said:
“Decades of investment in the site have ensured that we have the highly specialised design skills onshore, meaning we can modify helicopters to UK specifications and help preserve our nation’s Freedom of Action and Operational Independence.”
The Commando Merlin Mk4/4A has received upgraded onboard instruments, similar to those found in the Merlin HM Mk2. The pilot is equipped with five 10” x 8” displays and two multifunctional touchscreen panels. The helicopter has also been fitted with new communication systems, including a transponder operating in the I-band. Additionally, the main rotor head has been redesigned to allow for both automatic and manual blade folding. The tail boom and tail rotor blades can also be folded, which helps save space during hangar storage. The landing gear has been modified to enable shipborne operations, deck anchoring, and fast rope insertion. The Defensive Aids System (DAS) has been upgraded, enabling faster automatic threat identification and the activation of appropriate countermeasures.
According to the current plans of the UK Ministry of Defence, the Merlin HC Mk4/4A, along with 30 multirole Merlin HM Mk2 helicopters—which perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), and 10 of the latest Merlin ASaC (Airborne Surveillance and Control) helicopters—are expected to be retired in the early 2040s.
A series of significant upgrades for @RoyalNavy Commando Merlin helicopters have achieved full operating capability (FOC), allowing the aircraft to support @3CommandoBde anywhere in the world.
Through the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), Leonardo has been working with… pic.twitter.com/6DBc22IfmH
— Leonardo Helicopters (@LDO_Helicopters) January 29, 2025