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Leonardo HH-101 Caesar

2016 MODERN AIRCRAFT

Leonardo HH-101 The Story of Caesar

The AgustaWestland AW101/EH101 "Merlin" first flew in October 1987 and officially adopted in 1999, and has provided first class to several prominent military and civilian operators including Canada, Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom Serve. These helicopters perform a variety of missions, including general transport, resupply and anti-submarine (ASW) operations at all levels.

With its proven pedigree, the AW101 family was built as the HH-101 "Caesar", a purpose-built Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) platform of similar form and function - albeit now with advanced systems and kits to play its specific role.

An early recipient of the HH-101 is expected to be the Italian Air Force, which in turn will phase out its aging fleet of American Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican helicopters. Billed as an improved and more advanced variant of the baseline Merlin, the HH-101 features an optoelectronic sensor in the chin fairing and an integrated defense system to ensure battlefield survivability. Optional kits allow in-flight refueling to further expand the product's capabilities. As of April 2014, the Italian Air Force has ordered 12 HH-101 aircraft (referred to as "HH-101A").

The first is scheduled to be delivered sometime in 2014.

The first flight of the HH-101 airframe took place at the AgustaWestland facility in Yeovil, UK. This shows that the lines of the plane are very similar to the original AW101, except for the chin fairing. The three-engine configuration still powers the five-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor (facing the port). The sideboards accommodate the retractable main landing gear legs, while the two wheel front legs retract into the cockpit floor.

The standard flight crew consists of five crew members, including two pilots and mission specialists. Supported weapons are said to be up to 3 x 7.62mm machine gun systems (including M134 Gatling gun systems) located on the side doors and one located on the rear-facing loading dock.

All three will be used on trainable pivot mounts that provide ballistic protection. Both cockpit seats will be armored to protect the crew.

In addition to its claimed CSAR role, the HH-101 is used in civilian SAR operations, as well as deployment/evacuation and special forces support. The cabin allows for a medical evacuation role and can accommodate up to 20 combat-ready infantry when required as general transport.

The powered rear loading ramp serves these elements well.