Ministry of Defence
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Navy's sub-hunting helicopters enter service early
The UK's next generation of submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters have entered service with the Royal Navy 4 months earlier than planned.
Since successfully entering service with the Royal Navy, the aircraft have been put through their paces on exercise in the Atlantic Ocean.
Embarked on HMS Illustrious, the Merlin Mk2 aircraft took part in Exercise Deep Blue, simulating anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol and casualty evacuation capabilities.
The new helicopters are part of an £800 million programme to upgrade the Royal Navy’s existing fleet of aircraft. The Merlins, which have been delivered on budget, have state-of-the-art glass cockpits, which provide improved night-vision capability for pilots, and an updated combat system with touch screen display.
