The first of the Royal Navy’s new ‘eyes in the sky’ has entered service – getting ready to protect the nation’s flagship. The first Merlin ‘Crowsnest’ helicopter – which scours the heavens with its radar looking for potential foes – will now begin operational training, ahead of the maiden deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth this spring. The distinctive-looking helicopter – … [Read more...] about Navy’s new ‘eyes in the sky’ enter service ready for carrier mission
Merlin Helicopter
HMS Kent helps carrier Queen Elizabeth deal with any foe
The seas around Britain’s biggest warship churned red as the Navy developed tactics to protect HMS Queen Elizabeth from all manner of attacks. For five days, the Portsmouth-based carrier worked side-by-side with frigate HMS Kent and her Merlin helicopter as every perceivable threat – air attack, submarine, surface fleet and terrorist strike – to ready the future flagship for … [Read more...] about HMS Kent helps carrier Queen Elizabeth deal with any foe
Royal Navy completes hurricane season preparations in the Caribbean
A Royal Navy task group in the Caribbean is ready to help island communities after a series of intensive workouts demonstrating their ability to react to humanitarian disasters. The Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) capability brings together a coordinated team of commandos, engineers, aviators and sailors capable of bringing assistance to British Overseas Territories … [Read more...] about Royal Navy completes hurricane season preparations in the Caribbean
First aircraft touch down on the deck of HMS Prince of Wales
Not 24 hours after the second of the UK’s new aircraft carriers sailed into open waters for the first time, a Merlin helicopter was guided safely into land on the expansive deck. For the first time in 50 years the announcement: “Hands to Flying Stations” echoed throughout the 280-metre-long warship and specialist aircraft handlers, who’ve spent the past year practising for … [Read more...] about First aircraft touch down on the deck of HMS Prince of Wales
HMS Ocean leads Greek naval exercise
The Royal Navy’s helicopter carrier HMS Ocean has led a force of 20 ships and over 300 British, Greek and US Marines to ‘storm’ Crete for the Greek Navy’s main autumn war exercises. The Greeks host Exercise Niriis to test an international naval force and its ability to respond to a major crisis in the region – similar to the Turkish exercise HMS Ocean and the … [Read more...] about HMS Ocean leads Greek naval exercise
