Defence research firm Qinetiq, in combination with an MoD and industry team, has won an eight-year contract worth more than £10 million from US company Lockheed Martin to provide flight test and evaluation services to the Merlin Capability Sustainment Plus (MCSP) helicopter programme.
The firm, which has a major facility at Malvern, yesterday said the updated Royal Navy Merlin Mk1 will be a far more potent multi-role helicopter as a result of the programme - among other improvements it will enable better tracking, improve submarine detection and enhance night operations.
Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: "This will see Merlin get the advanced new technology it needs to face the challenges of the 21st Century.
"The Merlin Mk1 is already a potent aircraft which has proved itself invaluable since it entered service, playing a crucial role during the Iraq conflict.
"This programme will build on that success. Having 21st century technology inserted into the Merlin will boost perform-ance and improve its already impressive range of capabilities. It will benefit our front line capability, British industry and the UK taxpayer, who will get excellent value for money."
Working with the MoD, Qinetiq and military personnel will make a significant contribution to the combined test and evaluation team, which will include experts from Lockheed Martin, AgustaWestland, the Royal Navy, and other industry partners.
Using four helicopters, Qinetiq is contracted to provide 550 test and evaluation flying hours. The first flights of the programme are scheduled to begin in late 2010 at AgustaWestland's Yeovil facility in Somerset with flight test activity moving to the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC) at Boscombe Down in September 2011 to make use of the extensive test and evaluation facilities at the Qinetiq operated site.
Meanwhile, Qinetiq also said it had won a £2 million order for its Tarsier runway debris radar detection system from Dubai International Airport.
