EH Industries EH101

Type (Muster)
Multi-role helicopter (Mehrzweckhubschrauber)

Country (Land)
UK/Italy (Großbritannien/Italien)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
EH Industries
Pyramid House, Solartron Road
Farnborough, Hants GU14 7PL
UK

Phone: 0044-1252/372121
Fax: 0044-1252/386480

EH Industries is a joint company owned by GKN Westland (Yeovil, Somerset in England) and Agusta (Cascina Costa di Samarate in Italy). It was formed in June 1980. In July 2000, Agusta and Westland announced that they would merge to form AgustaWestland

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 (Navy version can be flown by 1 pilot if needed). ASW versions will also carry two more sensor operators/obeservers
Passengers (Passagiere): The commercial Heliliner version has accomodation for 30 people four abreast at 76 cm seat pitch, plus cabin attendant, with toilet facilities.
The military transport version can take up to 30 troops or 16 stretchers

Power plant (Antrieb): 3 x Rolls-Royce Turboméca RTM322-01/8 or RTM332-02/8 for UK military versions or General Electric T700-GE-T6A for Italian navy version. Civil models to get General Electric CT7-6 turboshafts
Power (Leistung):
   - 3 x 1566 kW (2100 shp) at take-off from RTM322-01/8, which also has an emegency rating of 1724 kW (2312 shp) and a maximum continuous output of 1394 kW (1870 shp)
   - 3 x 1521 kW (2040 shp) at take-off for the T700-GE-T6A, which delivers 1327 kW (1780 shp) maximum continuous
   - 3 x 1432 kW (1920 shp) at take-off for the CT7-6, or 1230 kW (16450 shp) maximum continuous
The transmission ratings are 4161 kW for take-off, 3715 kW maximum continuous and 2770 kW with one engine inoperative

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 19,53 m
Length overall, rotor turning (Länge über drehende Rotoren): 22,81 m
Height (Höhe): 6,65 m, both rotors turning
Max. fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 2,8 m
Main rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 18,59 m
Tail-rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 4,01 m
Main rotor disk (Hauptrotorkreisfläche): 271,5 sq m
Tail rotor disk (Heckrotorkreisfläche): 12,65 sq m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 7,09 m in naval variant, 6,5 m in utility
Max. cabin height (max. Kabinenhöhe): 1,9 m in Heliliner
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 2,49 m
Cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 29 cu m in naval variant, 27, 5 cu m in Heliliner

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 10500 kg in naval version, 9300 kg as Heliliner, 10250 as Merlin HC Mk3
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 960 kg in naval version, 2850 kg in Heliliner, 3120 kg in Merlin HC Mk3
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 3222 litres standard or 5370 litres maximum with two more tanks
Slung load (Außenlast): up to 5443 kg in military transport version
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 14600 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Never exceed speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 309 km/h at sea level, ISA
Average cruise speed (Durchschnittliche Reisegeschwindigkeit): 278 km/h
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 4575 m (15000 ft)
Range (Reichweite):
- 1130 km as Heliliner with four tanks, IFR reserves
- 1389 km as Heliliner with five tanks, IFR reserves
Ferry range (Überführungsreichweite): 2093 km in Merlin HC Mk3
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 5 h
g-Limit: +3 g

Costs (Kosten)
The civil variant has reportedly been sold for about 27 million US-Dollars in Japan.
Canada pays 579 million Canadian Dollars for 15 helicopters in SAR configuration (excluding spares and support, with acceptance at the Agusta plant in Italy).
RAF price for 22 Merlin HC Mk3s put at 500 million Pounds.
First Italian batch for 16 valued at 775 million US-Dollars in 1995

Customers (Kunden)
In mid-2000, EH Industry had orders and commitments for close to 100 helicopters. There have been no new sales for at least two yeras. Current customers are:

Royal Navy: 44 as Merlin HM Mk1s, for use as shipborne anti-submarine helicopters. The initial production aircraft first flew on 6 December 1995, the first with mission avionics following on 14 January 1997.
An intensive flight trials unit was formed as No 700M Squadron on 1 Decmeber 1998, shortly after the first Merlin had been transferred to Royal Navy jurisdiction on 16. November. In June 2000, the 824 Naval Air Squadron was formed at Culdrose. It will be responsible for training. The firs front-line Merlin Squadron, No 814, will be comissioning in late 2001.
Royal Air Force: 22 as Merlin HC Mk3s, for use as troop transport helicopters. The first helicopter flow on 24 December 1998. The Sixth helicopter was delivered on 27 June 2000, signifing the acievement of IOC. 12 are expected by year end. After completion of Military Aircraft Release trials at Boscombe Down, theywill be operated by 28 Squadron at Benson. Offical service entry is expected for November 2000.
Italian Navy: 16. The order for the Marina Militare Italiana was announced in October 1995 and covers eight helicopters in the anti-submarine/anti-surface vessel warfare variant (Srs 100), four helicopters in the surveillance radar variant and four in the maritime utility transport variant (Srs 400), featuring rear ramp and blade and tail folding.
The first Italian EH101 (MMI 2-01) made its maiden flight on 6 December 1999. Final delivery is set for 2004.
Japanese civil operator: 1, delivered in early 1998 to Tokyo Metropolitan Police Agency. Service entry was on 25 March 1999, after problems following the bankruptcy of Japanese distributor Okura were resolved.
Canadian Department of Defence: 15, for use as SAR helicopters under the designation AW 520 Cormorant. The selection of the EH 101 was announced on January 6, 1998, after a fierce competition with the Eurocopter Cougar, the Sikorsky UH-60 Maplehawk and the Boeing CH-47. Final contract price was announced as 579 million Can-Dollars (404,8 million US-Dollars) in May 1998.
The first Cormorant flew on 31 May 2000 at Agustas Vergiate plant. It is scheduled to ferry across the Atlantic inearly 2001 for use by 442 Transport & Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing in Comox, British Columbia. The bas will host five helicopters that will form the Operational Training unit at the remeining ten aircraft will be divided between 413 Sqn at 14 Wing in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, 424 Squadron at 8 Wing in Trenton, Ontario, and 103 Squadron at 9 Wing in Gander, Newfoundland.

In total, EH Industries sees sales prospects for more than 700 helicopters worldwide.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
With its 14,5 ton take-off weight, the EH 101 occupies a niche, but usually has to compete against the lighter
Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma / AS 532 Cougar
NH Industries NH90
Sikorsky S-92

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The EH 101 stems from a late 70s requirement by the Royal Navy and the Italian Navy for a new anti-submarine warfare helicopter (Sea King replacemnt) to counter the then increasing Soviet threat. It is based on the Westland WG 34 design studies.
Market research led to the decision to develop not only a maritime version, but civil and military transport variants as well in an integrated programme. The EH 101 is available in a whole range of configurations, according to the company nomenclature including:

Srs 100: Basic naval version
Srs 200: Naval utility version without rear ramp
Srs 300 (Heliliner): Commercial passenger version, equipped with full airline avionics for all weather operations to oil platforms.
Srs 400: Army transport version
Srs 500: Civil utility variant with rear-loading ramp. Avionics and equipment fit ot customer specification. Srs 510 was first ordered by Japanes customer In the UK, the military variants are named Merlin, specifically
Merlin HM Mk1 as the Royal Navy ASW version for operation from Type 23 frigates, Invincible-class carriers and other ships.
Merlin HC Mk3 is the tactical transport version for the Royal Air Force. It features a revised cockpit layout and has provisions for pintle-mounted guns, FLIR sensor and flight refuelling probe beneath the nose.

History (Geschichte)
In 1980, Agusta and Westland formed the EH Industries joint venture for the development of a new new anti-submarine helicopter for the Navies of the UK and Italy. Full programme go-ahead was announced in January 1984, and on 7 March of that year a development contract was signed. Nine prototypes/preproduction helicopters were built, as follows:

PP1: First flight 9 October 1987 at Yeovil (UK). After over 375 hours refittes with T700 engines. Registration: ZF641
PP2: Built by Agusta. First flight on 26 November 1987. Was used for deck trials aboard Italian Navy ships. Crashed on 21 January 1993 as a result of a rotor-brake malfunction. Flight tests were then halted until 24 June 1993. Registration: "02"
PP3: First flown on 30 September 1988 at Yeovil (UK). This helicopter was in civil configuration and conducted icing trials in Canada from November 1993. Later also used for weapons carriage trials. Registration: G-EHIL
PP4: First flight 15 June 1989 at Yeovil. General naval configuration. Crashed after a control-rod failure on 7 April 1995. Registration: ZF644
PP5: First flight on 24 October 1989. Is intended as the development machine for the Merlin variant (UK Navy). Sea trials on the HMS Norfolk frigate were conducted in August 1991. Registration: ZF649
PP6: Flown 26 April 1989. Build by Agusta, this helicopter is dedicated to development of the Italian Navy version. Sea trials mid-October 1991. Registration: MM-X605 / I-RAIA
PP7: Frist flown 18 December 1989. Military utility variant with rear loading ramp. The helicopter was heavily damaged in an emergency landing at Malpensa airport in Italy in August 1996 after the loss of pitch control. Registration: I-HIOI
PP8: Civil configutation, built by Westland. First flight 24 April 1990. Used for Intensive Operational Flying Programme. Registration: G-OIOI and ZJ116
PP9: Civil configuration, built by Agusta. First flown 16 January 1991. Used for Intensive Operational Flying Programme. Registration: I-LIOI

The industrialisation phase was commenced with a UK/Italian MoU of 30 September 1991. The UK MoD then ordered the Merlin on 9 October 1991.
Civil certifiaction in the UK and Italy was achieved on 24 November 1994, with FAA approval following the next day.
In September 1997, more than 4000 hours had been achieved in the EH 101 integrated development programme.
A further 900 hours had also been completed in the intensive operational flying programme which two prototypes (PP8 and PP9) conducted at Brindisi (Italy) and later at Aberdeen.
The Royal Navy formed an intensive flight trials unit on 1 December 1998. On 24 December , the first production Merlin HC Mk.3 took off at Yeovil for its 55 minute maiden flight, piloted by Andy Strachan and Colin Hague.
A total of 10000 flight hours was achieved in August 1999. At that time PP8 and PP9 were the most intensively used aircraft, having completed 2500 and 2000 hours respectively.
In April 2000 EH Industries responded to the Request for Quotation of the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden regarding the common procurement of more than 70 mulit-role helicopters.
The first EH101 Cormorant for Canada made its maiden flight on 31 May 2000 at Vergiate in Italy. It will be first used for trials and pilot training and will then fly to Canda in early 2001.

Last updated 4 September 2000

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