Agustawestland SH-101
The AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW101 Merlin is unusually powered by three engines instead of the two common on most medium and heavy helicopters, giving it extra safety margin and power for heavy-lift and demanding naval missions. Developed jointly by Britain and Italy, it serves in troop transport, anti-submarine warfare, and VIP roles, including as the helicopter used to transport the British Royal Family and other heads of state. Its large cabin and naval-hardened airframe, designed to fold for shipboard storage, suit it well to operating from aircraft carriers and frigates. It remains one of the most capable medium-heavy military helicopters in Western service today.
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Did you know?
The AW101 Merlin flies on three engines instead of the usual two, giving it extra power for naval and heavy-lift missions.
Specifications
| Length | 22.8 m (75 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 6.6 m (22 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 18.6 m (61 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 30 |
| Persons on board | 30 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 14.6 t |
| Range | 750 NM (1,389 km) |
| Service ceiling | 19,000 ft (5,791 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,300 ft/min (6.6 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 3,220 l |
| Engines | 3x Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 |
| Units built | 225 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
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