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At the beginning of the next century, twenty two of the new EH101 medium support helicopters will enter RAF service as replacements for the Wessex. Initially, the EH101 will be unarmed, but there is a future requirement to fit the aircraft with stub wings enabling anti-armour or air-to-air missiles and rocket pods to be carried. Studies have also been made to fit EH101 with a nose turret and 0.5 inch machine gun, and machine guns on pintles at the door positions. The EH101 is equipped with active vibration damping control, which means the level of noise and vibration inside the cabin is no greater than in a turboprop aircraft. As a result, crew fatigue is much reduced, and airframe life is increased. |
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Powerplant: Three Rolls-Royce / Turbomeca RTM 322 three shaft turbines of 2,312 shp each Rotor Diameter: 61ft (18.59m) Length: 74ft 10in (22.81m) Max Speed: 192mph (309km/h) Accommodation: Two pilots on the flight deck and up to 35 combat equipped troops or 16 stretchers plus a medical team. Recognition: Tall, wide cabin tapering into a large tail fin. The underside of the taper is a large rear-loading cargo door. The engine housing is prominent and enhances the square look of the main fuselage. The tricycle undercarriage retracts, the nosewheel into the fuselage, the main gear into the two large fuselage sponsons. |
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