Aw101 Merlin

General History The Aero-Wing Aviation AW101 Merlin is an advanced all-weather all-purpose mediumlift helicopter designed for a wide range of military and civil applications. The helicopter is unique in certain aspects due to the fact it is not an original design from Mid-Childa; rather, the basic helicopter was adapted from design originated from Earth. Failure of the JF-704 Storm Raider to fulfill certain specialist roles required by the different service branches is seen as one of the main reasons to adopt the Merlin through a competition held by Time-Space Administration Bureau (TSAB) to bring into service a new generation of multi-purpose helicopters to complement the Storm Raider. Despite achieving victory in the competition, the decision to adopt the Merlin was met with heavy resistance, particularly from those that felt that an all-new ‘foreign’ design is deemed inferior to whatever Mid-Childans can design (despite the fact that the Storm Raider is a design failure). It wasn’t until intervention from some of the top brass in TSAB (their names are never made known), that the noise eventually went down, and the helicopters beginning to see widespread adoption in TSAB service branches. Any semblance between the Mid-Childan version and the original Earth-designed version of the Merlin are superficial at best, due to the fact that most of the helicopter’s systems comprise from designs of Mid-Childan origin (however, the best components of the Earth-spec Merlin, such as the extremely advanced BERP IV main-rotor blades, are copied because Mid-Childan researchers are not capable of replicating similar results from indigenous components). In the assembly facility at Aero-Wing, the Merlin undergoes a section by section assembly, where different parts of the helicopter were assembled at the same time before they are joined together in the production line. Due to the use of pre-dominantly Mid-Childan systems, the performance of the Mid-Childan Merlin is much higher than Earth’s (some test personnel quoted top speeds of about 400 km/h). The versatility of the basic design, combined with the modularity of the helicopter, enabled the Merlin to be built according to desired specifications, where required. The helicopters are issued with the “H-71” designation in service; however, they might be given additional suffixes depending on the role and service given to the helicopter. While the Merlin itself is more or less based on a tried-and-tested formula when it comes to design of a helicopter, some properties of the original design were mainly present in the Mid-Childan version. Like its original counterpart, the Merlin is constructed using composite materials to save weight, while allowing greater fuselage strength. They are also designed with the conventional layout of a main rotor (The BERP IV blades was designed with 'paddles' at the tip to improve general performance and lift capability) and a tail rotor, which are built with strong composite materials, and they are designed in a way that the helicopter can fly upside-down (and hence perform a barrel roll in flight, something rarely seen in helicopters). A conventional retractable tricycle layout is adopted for the helicopter’s landing gear. Three turboshaft engines running off current power sources and an Artificial Linker Core unit are installed in the tail to provide enough power for the helicopter to reach speeds of about 375 km/h. The main rotor and the tail of the helicopter can be folded for loading into transports. The helicopter can be accessed via a large rear cargo door for easy loading of large cargo into the fuselage of

the helicopter. The Merlin is capable of operations in adverse weather conditions, thanks to use of advanced avionics. The cockpit of the helicopter is given a modern all-digital layout and numerous forms of guidance to reduce the workload of the pilot, so much that it is possible to fly the helicopter with only a single pilot, even in adverse conditions and nighttime operations (it is one of the helicopters cleared for nap-of-the-Earth operations). The Merlin is designed with flexibility in mind, where a customer is free to specify their own requirements. This created several versions of the Merlin (ALL Merlins produced have foldable main rotors and tail assembly for storage and transport as standard).

General and Technical Data Model number: UH-71A – based on the production Model 510 Code name: Merlin Unit type: tactical multi-role utility helicopter Manufacturer: Aero-Wing Aviation Operator: Time-Space Administration Bureau (Air Force) First deployment: unknown Accommodation: pilot and co-pilot, in standard side-by-side cockpit; additional crewmembers: 2, in cabin; up to 24 seated personnel/45 standing personnel/16 stretchers with medics Dimensions: fuselage length 22.81 m, height 6.65 m Wingspan: rotor diameter 18.59 m Propulsion: 3 x RRT Engineering RTM322-01E turboshafts, 1,725 kW (2,312 shp) each; Artificial Linker Core Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; rear loading ramp; foldable main rotor and tail (for storage in transports); retractable tricycle landing gears; countermeasure dispenser (chaffs and flare); rescue hoist; other optional equipments will be specified Fixed armaments: None Optional fixed armaments: 5 x pintle-mounted machine guns, mounted on various pintles installed on main body (military use only) Technical and Historical Notes The most basic variant of the Merlin, the UH-71A version is designed to transport up to 45 standing or 24 seating personnel, or about 6,000 kg of cargo. Designed to perform heliborne operations to support the (ungainly-looking) JF-704 Storm Raider in various theater of operations for the Air Force, it can quickly be adapted to Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) or Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) missions by fitting up to 16 stretchers or cargo delivery capability, through the rear loading ramp (the Merlin is capable of storing up to two SUV-sized vehicles). Additional roles for the variant include parachuting and flight training. In addition to this, a version of the helicopter with all sensitive military equipment removed is available for civil customers, at a reduced price. These are usually used as inter-city liners.

General and Technical Data Model number: SH-71B – based on the RN Merlin HM1 Code name: Sea Merlin Unit type: tactical naval helicopter Manufacturer: Aero-Wing Aviation Operator: Time-Space Administration Bureau (Navy) First deployment: unknown Accommodation: pilot and co-pilot, in standard side-by-side cockpit; additional crewmembers: 2, in cabin Dimensions: fuselage length 22.81 m, height 6.65 m Wingspan: rotor diameter 18.59 m Propulsion: 3 x RRT Engineering RTM322-01E turboshafts, 1,725 kW (2,312 shp) each; Artificial Linker Core Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; rear loading ramp (optional); sonar and movement tracking sensors, mounted on fuselage; digital automatic flight control system; classified navigation systems; classified radar systems; foldable main rotor and tail (for storage in transports); retractable tricycle landing gears; countermeasure dispenser (chaffs and flare); rescue hoist; other optional equipments will be specified Fixed armaments: 4 x multipurpose hardpoints, mounted on fuselage stubs

Optional fixed armaments: None Technical and Historical Notes Designed for ship-borne operations on seas, the Sea Merlin is designed for autonomous anti-submarine/submersible warfare (ASW) and anti-surface unit warfare (ASuW), primarily against pirates on the seas of Mid-Childa (if they exist). As such, they are equipped with several sonar and movement tracking sensors to track threats, which required trained crews to man the complex sub-systems. The helicopters are designed to carry up to four trap torpedoes or anti-ship missiles in pairs, on fuselage stubs. These Sea Merlins are designed for seamless integration, operating from any seaborne naval vessel belonging to the Navy. They are equipped for day and night, adverse weather and severe ship motion operations. However, typically a large number of Sea Merlins did away with the rear loading ramp, seeing that the feature would not be utilized most of the time. Of all the initial variants of the Merlin available to the TSAB, the Sea Merlin took the longest development time, since requirements for a naval helicopter was constantly changed to reflect changes in policies, similar to what happened to it’s counterpart on Earth. Despite the delays, crews generally liked the solidly-built helicopter, giving good performance despite its bulk.

General and Technical Data Model number: MH-71C – based on the RAF Merlin HC3 + USAF HH-71 proposal Code name: Pave Merlin Unit type: tactical combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter Manufacturer: Aero-Wing Aviation Operator: Time-Space Administration Bureau (Air Force) First deployment: unknown Accommodation: pilot and co-pilot, in standard side-by-side cockpit; additional crewmembers: 2, in cabin; up to 24 seated personnel/45 standing personnel/16 stretchers with medics Dimensions: fuselage length 22.81 m, height 6.65 m Wingspan: rotor diameter 18.59 m Propulsion: 3 x RRT Engineering RTM322-01E turboshafts, 1,725 kW (2,312 shp) each; Artificial Linker Core Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; rear loading ramp; FLIR, mounted on nose; digital automatic flight control system; classified navigation systems; classified radar systems; foldable main rotor and tail (for storage in transports); retractable tricycle landing gears; countermeasure dispenser (chaffs and flare); rescue hoist; other optional equipments will be specified Fixed armaments: None

Optional fixed armaments: 2 x machine guns, mounted on mounts and cradles installed on forward windows behind the pilot doors 2 x machine guns or automatic grenade launchers, mounted on pintle mounts on skate rails installed at the fuselage doors 1 x machine gun, mounted pedestal mount on an armored floor plate installed at the rear loading ramp station Technical and Historical Notes The Merlin truly shines in a specialist role as a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter for the Air Force (as the Pave Merlin), where the helicopter and its crew are to retrieve downed personnel behind enemy lines. CSAR is a niche role in the Air Force, as it was risky in nature (attempts to fit the JF-704 Storm Raider into the role was met with failure after failure), posing a problem in operations for everyone involved, plus there is a limit of how much a mage is capable of. The most sophisticated production version of the Merlin, being basically a far glorified version of the basic helicopter. It is given additional equipment such as digital map and Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), a Doppler radar, directed infrared countermeasures (infrared jammers), ESM (electronic support measures), and a laser detection and warning system to notify the crew of significant threats (such as a launch of a projectile attack), in addition of other classified equipment. The additional equipment is designed to give the crew ample protection behind the enemy lines, although mages were placed as part of the helicopter’s crew in an offensive support role in the name of defense. Five support points for mounting machine guns or automatic grenade launchers are also installed on the Pave Merlin as defensive armament; however, the weapons are only mounted when the Special Clause of Allowance for Non-Magical Weaponry is invoked. The Pave Merlins can still perform the roles of the normal Merlin when required to. Some of these helicopters are flown by numerous Air Force squadrons to support operations of the TSAB, in addition of being flown by the Special Rescue Team in a support role, offering heavy lift capabilities without using a large footprint (however, they are usually flown without any weaponry). Unsurprisingly, Pave Merlins often served as effective aerial launch platforms for mages through their rear loading ramps.

General and Technical Data Model number: AMH-71C Code name: Pave Merlin SOCAT (Special Operations and Crisis Aversion Team) Unit type: tactical heavy gunship helicopter Manufacturer: AeroWing Aviation Operator: Time-Space Administration Bureau (Air Force) First deployment: unknown Accommodation: pilot and co-pilot, in standard side-by-side cockpit; additional crewmembers: 2, in cabin; up to 5 additional personnel Dimensions: fuselage length 22.81 m, height 6.65 m Wingspan: rotor diameter 18.59 m Propulsion: 3 x RRT Engineering RTM322-01E turboshafts, 1,725 kW (2,312 shp) each; Artificial Linker Core Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; rear loading ramp; FLIR, mounted on nose; digital automatic flight control system; classified navigation systems; classified radar systems; Advanced Fire Control and Tracking System sensors, range unknown, mounted on main rotor; targeting system, mounted on nose, range unknown; External Stores Support System, mounted on sponsons; foldable main rotor and tail (for storage in transports); retractable tricycle landing gears; countermeasure dispenser (chaffs and flare); rescue hoist; other optional equipments will be specified Fixed armaments: 4 x stub wing multipurpose hardpoints, mounted on sponson stub wings Optional fixed armaments: 2 x machine guns, mounted on mounts and cradles installed on forward windows behind the pilot doors 2 x machine guns or automatic grenade launchers, mounted on pintle mounts on skate rails installed at the fuselage doors 1 x machine gun, mounted pedestal mount on an armored floor plate installed at the rear loading ramp station One of the special variants of the Merlin developed by the Mid-Childans is the AMH71C Pave Merlin SOCAT (Special Operations and Crisis Aversion Team), based on the Pave Merlin. The SOCAT is armed to the teeth with a bevy of heavy support weapons for support operations when required. This version of the Merlin is used in an extremely limited capacity by the TSAB under the auspices of the Galactic Defence Initiative (GDI) under policies underlined in Magical Alternative Research and Dual Use Knowledge (MARDUK), in cases where the Special Clause of Allowance for Non-Magical Weaponry is invoked. The SOCAT package, by nature, is an add-on package to transform the Pave Merlin from a CSAR helicopter into a dedicated attack gunship helicopter. The Pave Merlin is chosen because of its advanced avionics fit, allowing for seamless integration with the additional systems. External components comprised of a nose-mounted targeting system with Helmet Mounted Symbology System (HMSS), a pair of stub wings bolted onto sponsons to carry stand-off weapons in two hardpoints each (typical loadouts are a pair of quad

Brimstone missile racks on the inner hardpoints, and a pair of 19-tube CRV7 rocket launch pods on the outer hardpoints), and an advanced targeting radar on the main rotor. Despite that, other classified top-secret avionics systems are installed to increase the bite of the Pave Merlin SOCAT. Because of the weight of the kit, the maximum number of carried personnel decreased, often decreasing maximum capacity to five personnel (in addition of four crews, the default in the Pave Merlin).

General and Technical Data Model number: UH-71T – based on the production Model 510 Code name: Merlin Unit type: tactical auxiliary support helicopter Manufacturer: AeroWing Aviation Operator: Time-Space Administration Bureau (Air Force), Galactic Defense Initiative First deployment: unknown Accommodation: pilot and co-pilot, in standard side-by-side cockpit; additional crewmembers: 2, in cabin Dimensions: fuselage length 22.81 m, height 6.65 m Wingspan: rotor diameter 18.59 m Propulsion: 3 x RRT Engineering RTM322-01E turboshafts, 1,725 kW (2,312 shp) each; Artificial Linker Core Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; rear loading ramp; FLIR, mounted on nose; digital automatic flight control system; classified navigation systems; classified radar systems; foldable main rotor and tail (for storage in transports); retractable tricycle landing gears; countermeasure dispenser (chaffs and flare); rescue hoist; other optional equipments will be specified Fixed armaments: None Optional fixed armaments: None Technical and Historical Notes

H-71 Helicopter Armament Subsystems Defensive Armament The defensive armament system for the Air Force H-71 helicopters is described as optional, and capable of being fitted depending on situation. The basic system comprises of five M3M .50 caliber machine guns, one each at the doors, one each at the forward windows behind the pilot doors, and the rear loading ramp. The forward two positions comprise of mounts and cradles at the two windows, while the middle positions comprise of pintle mounts on skate rails, while the rear loading ramp station comprises a pedestal mount on an armored floor plate. The floor plate slides on two tracks, forward and back, to and from its firing position at the edge of the ramp. Ammunition feeding is via standard ammunition boxes attached, or flexible ammunition chutes from boxes fixed to the floor (or to the armored floor plate for the rear loading ramp position). Automatic grenade launchers can be fitted on the door pintle mounts in place of the machine guns. External Stores Support System (ESSS) The External Stores Support System (ESSS), mounted onto the sponsons of the H-71, provides two stub wings each with two hard points for primarily for external fuel tanks, but can also be used to carry various weapon systems. When equipped with the Extended Range Fuel System (ERFS), the system can support two external tanks. The system only feeds into the main fuel tank, not the engines directly. The ESSS can also be fitted with a wide range of weapons including up to sixteen Brimstone missiles (on quad missile racks), four 19-tube CRV7 rocket launch pods and gun pods, and other systems. When a MH-71C Pave Merlin is equipped with the ESSS along with additional systems (nosemounted targeting systems with Helmet Mounted Symbology System (HMSS), and the Advanced Fire Control and Tracking System (AFCTS)), the designation of the Pave Merlin is changed to that of “AMH-71C Pave Merlin SOCAT” heavy gunship helicopter.