RAF : Aircraft : Helicopters

The RAF has a commitment to support the British Army and our NATO allies in the field. The helicopter forces have a number of tasks in this role, largely that of transport of supplies and equipment to forward operating bases. Aside from this major task, the RAF helicopter forces also evacuate casualties, and operate in support of UN peacekeeping forces worldwide.


Roles: The Chinook is a very capable and versatile support helicopter that can be operated in many diverse environments ranging from cold weather ‘arctic’ conditions to desert warfare operations.

Specifications

Engines: Two Textron Lycoming T55-L712F turboshafts
Thrust: 3,148shp each
Max speed: 160kts
Length: 30.18m
Max altitude: 15,000ftSpan: 18.29m
Aircrew: 4


The RAF operates the largest fleet of Chinook Support Helicopters after the US Army, with a total of 34 HC2s, 6 HC2As and 8 HC3s (the HC3 has yet to enter operational service). The Chinook Wing, which forms the heavy-lift element of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), is based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. Odiham supports three operational squadrons, No 7 Squadron, No 18 Squadron and No 27 Squadron, and the Operational Conversion Flight.The HC2 and HC2A aircraft are used primarily for trooping and for carrying internal and/or underslung loads and can carry up to 55 troops or 10 tonnes of freight. The cabin is large enough to accommodate two Land Rovers, while the three underslung load hooks allow a huge flexibility in the type and number of loads that can be carried externally. Secondary roles include search and rescue and casualty evacuation, in which role a total of 24 stretchers can be carried. The crew consists of either two pilots, or a pilot and a weapon systems officer (WSO), and two air loadmasters. The pilot captain is responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and completion of the mission, while the co-pilot or WSO operates the mission-management systems, navigation, communications and the self-defence suite. In the cabin are two air loadmasters who are responsible for passenger safety, load or cargo restraint, weapons operation and voice marshalling of the aircraft.The aircraft are well equipped for their varied roles and are fitted with a satellite Global Positioning System, an Instrument Landing System, comprehensive avionics that enable them to fly in airways, and an extensive radio suite. The aircraft cockpit has a full night-time capability when operated with night-vision goggles, thus allowing low-level night operations in a hostile environment. The aircraft also carries dual-mode landing lights that can be switched between white and infrared light, which are supported by infrared searchlights operated by the two crewmen. The Chinook is well equipped with defensive aids and has a Radar Warning Receiver, an Ultraviolet and Doppler Missile Approach Warning System, infrared jammers and chaff and flare dispensers, which can be manually or automatically fired. The aircraft can be armed with two M134 six-barrelled Miniguns, one in each front side window, and an M60D machine gun on the ramp.The Chinook is a very capable and versatile support helicopter that can be operated in many diverse environments ranging from cold weather ‘arctic’ conditions to desert warfare operations. It has been involved in most of the recent UK operations such as the Falklands Conflict, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War, peace keeping in Bosnia, Kosovo operations, evacuation of Sierra Leone, operations in Afghanistan and, more recently, in Iraq.



The Griffin



Roles: The Griffin HAR2 is used as multirole helicopter by 84 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.

Specifications

Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney PT6T- 3D turboshafts
Thrust: 900shp each
Max speed: 140kts
Length: 17.11m
Max altitude: 20,000ft
Span: 14.02m
Aircrew: 3/5S


The Griffin HAR2 is used as multirole helicopter by 84 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. The Squadron operates four aircraft, supplied and maintained by the civilian company FBH services, but operated by experienced military aircrews. The Griffin HAR2 is a twin-engined helicopter derived from the civilian Bell Textron 412EP helicopter and is powered by two Pratt and Whitney turboshafts rated at 1800shp. The aircraft has an advanced, composite material, four-blade main rotor system, and pendulum dampers on the rotor hub to reduce vibrations at higher cruise speeds. The composite main-blades can be interchanged and folded easily for storage. The Griffin is used by 84 Squadron for Search and Rescue duties over land in mountainous terrain during the day, and over the sea at night by using night vision goggles and its FLIR/TV turret. The Squadron's primary role is the rescue of downed aircrew in the water or on cliffs, and the rescue of personnel from military and commercial shipping.The electrical hoist will life three personnel and the cabin will accommodate two stretcher casualties. With full life-support equipment available in the cabin, the paramedic-trained winchmen can provide the highest level of patient care en-route to hospital. 84 Squadron operate throughout the Eastern Mediterranean area and provide great assistance to the civil communities in the region. They also support military exercises as far afield as Jordan. In the SH role, the Griffin HAR2 carries six (eight if operationally essential) fully equipped troops from the smallest and dustiest of sites, and in the VIP role it continually carried visitors around Cyprus. The Griffin is used extensively on fire-fighting duties during the dry Cypriot summers, quelling the numerous bush fires by use of a Bambi bucket Under Slung load hooking. The bucket can pickup 2000lb of water and deliver it very accurately onto the seat of the fire. The aircraft is equipped with a modern avionics suit which is fully IFR compliant in which couples to a four axis duplex autopilot. The Griffin's radar is used for weather avoidance and as a shipping search radar when operating over the sea. The aircraft has a 2hr 45mins endurance, a 120 knot cruise speed and a 3000lb payload. 84 Sqn has a total of 15 aircrew to maintain their 24/7 role. Six pilots operate in their single pilot role, whilst a total of nine WSOs share the search, rescue and paramedic duties when operating on SAR missions.



Puma



Roles: Used as battlefield helicopters within the Joint Helicopter Command and provide tactical troop and load movement by day or by night.

Specifications

Engines: Two Turbomeca Turmo 3-C4 turbines
Thrust: 1300shp each
Max speed: 147kts
Length: 14.08m
Max altitude: 17,000ft
Span: 15.09ft
Aircrew: 3S



The Puma HC1 first entered service in 1971, and the RAF currently has a fleet of 33 aircraft available to the front-line Support Helicopter Force. The aircraft are operated by No 33 Squadron, which is based at RAF Benson, and by No 230 Squadron, which is based at RAF Aldergrove, in Northern Ireland. No 33 Squadron, which is divided into two flights and the operational conversion flight, offers flexibility in its role in that the aircraft of one of the flights are fitted with desert warfare specialist equipment, while the aircraft of the other flight are fitted with arctic warfare specialist equipment.The Pumas are used as battlefield helicopters within the Joint Helicopter Command and provide tactical troop and load movement by day or by night. The aircraft can carry 16 fully-equipped troops, or up to two tonnes of freight carried either internally or as an underslung load. The other major role is that of casualty or medical evacuation support, for which up to six stretchers can be fitted.Each aircraft is equipped with satellite- based GPS equipment and an instrument landing system, enabling the aircraft to be navigated accurately and to be landed at suitably equipped airfields in poor weather conditions. The normal crew of two pilots, or a pilot and a weapons systems officer, plus a crewman, is trained in procedural instrument flying and tactical low flying by day and by night using night-vision goggles. The aircrew and their supporting ground crew are also trained to operate from inhospitable areas in all conditions ranging from desert to arctic environments.For self-defence, the Puma is being upgraded with a new defensive-aids suite. This suite includes an integrated radar warning receiver, a missile-approach-warning system, an infrared jammer and automatic chaff and flare dispensing equipment. In addition, two cabin-mounted general purpose machine guns can be fitted for use by the crewmen.



Merlin HC3


Roles: An all weather, day and night, multi-role helicopter used in both tactical and strategic operational roles.

Specifications

Engines: Three Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM 322 turbines
Thrust: 2263shp each
Max speed: 167kts
Length: 22.8m
Max altitude: 15,000ft
Span: 18.6m
Aircrew: 4



The Merlin is the first of a new generation of advanced, medium support helicopters for the RAF. It is an all weather, day and night, multi-role helicopter used in both tactical and strategic operational roles. The aircraft carries an impressive defensive-aids suite, which includes a Radar and Laser Warning Receiver, Missile Approach Warners and Directional Infrared Countermeasures equipment, all integrated with an automatic chaff and flare dispensing system. This is one of the most comprehensive defensive aids suites fitted to any helicopter in the world.To ensure accurate navigation anywhere on the globe, the aircraft’s management computers take data from its laser-gyro, inertial-navigation platform and its doppler system and from air data sources, and combine the information with precise position data received from Global Positioning System satellites.Navigation at night is enhanced by the crew’s use of night-vision goggles and by the aircraft’s multi-function turret, which can be fitted with forward- looking infrared radar. To increase the aircraft’s range, the Merlin is equipped with extended range fuel tanks and is capable of air-to-air refuelling. Further range can be achieved by shutting down the third engine during the cruising phase of flight. It is also fitted with an active vibration-damping system, which reduces the level of noise and vibration inside the cabin to a level no greater than that of a turboprop aircraft. As a result, crew fatigue is much reduced during long transits and airframe life is increased.The Merlin is able to carry a diverse range of bulky cargo, either internally or under-slung. Cargo can include artillery, Land Rovers or light-strike vehicles and over five tonnes of freight. The spacious cabin can also accommodate up to 24 fully equipped combat troops and, when required, will convert to carry 16 stretchers for casualty evacuation or during humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Designed to operate away from base workshops and in difficult terrain, the Merlin has state-of-the-art support technology and incorporates aircraft health-and-usage diagnostics and a self-test capability for ease of maintenance.The Merlin is armed with two general purpose machine guns converted for the air role, although there is provision for additional weaponry to be fitted at a later date.



Sea King

Roles: The SAR squadrons provide 24-hour cover around the UK and the Falkland Islands throughout each year.

Specifications

Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshafts
Thrust: 1,389shp each
Max speed: 125kts
Length: 22.15m
Max altitude: 10,000ft
Span: 18.9m
Aircrew: 4

The Westland Sea King HAR3 entered RAF service in 1978 and the 3A in 1996; both marks of aircraft are used in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role. The aircraft are operated from six locations around the UK, with each location supporting two aircraft. There is also a detachment of two HAR3s providing SAR cover in the Falkland Islands. The SAR squadrons provide 24-hour cover around the UK and the Falkland Islands throughout each year. Each squadron maintains a 15-minutes readiness state during daylight hours and a 45-minutes readiness state during the hours of darkness.For the search aspect of its role, the Sea King is able to operate to precise navigational standards and is fitted with a multi-band homing system, satellite navigation systems, a search radar, a comprehensive avionics suite and a large selection of radios. For its rescue role, the aircraft is equipped with a hydraulically-operated main rescue hoist, an electrically-operated emergency rescue hoist and electrical connections suitable for powering medical equipment such as incubators. The SAR fleet of Sea Kings are fitted with a video/infrared detection pod, which is similar to the equipment used by police helicopters, to help search for casualties. All SAR crews are trained to operate using night-vision goggles over unfamiliar terrain. The standard SAR crew is made up of four members: two pilots, one of whom is the aircraft captain, a radar operator who acts as the winch operator at the rescue scene and a winchman, normally trained to paramedic standard, who will supply immediate first-aid and recovery services at the rescue site.