Under the CROWSNEST contract, Lockheed Martin as Prime Contractor, is responsible for the overall design and development of the CROWSNEST system, which incorporates an improved version of the existing Thales Searchwater radar and Cerberus Mission System onto the Merlin HM Mk2 helicopter fleet, producing ten role fit kits and full fleet modification to ensure that this key Royal Navy capability is delivered. CROWSNEST will be integrated onto the existing Mk2 Merlin platform ensuring the current capability is maintained.

Leonardo Helicopters is responsible for designing the airframe modifications and deployment mechanism for the radome, clearing the aircraft to operate in the CROWSNEST configuration and modifying all 30 Royal Navy HM Mk2 aircraft.  Leonardo Helicopters will carry out the work at its Yeovil facility and at RNAS Culdrose.

Paul Livingston, Vice President and Group Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK’s Integrated Systems business, based in Havant, said: “We’re pleased and excited by the contract award and it’s come at an appropriate time. For us, it closes one Merlin chapter and opens another."  He continued: “2016 was the year of the Merlin. It marked the twenty fifth anniversary of the Merlin programme and we’ve successfully delivered the thirtieth and final Merlin HM Mk2 through our work on the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme contract. 2017 will be the year of the Carrier, as the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier comes to Portsmouth for the first time and begins sea trials. CROWSNEST will play an integral role in future Carrier operations.”