Royal Navy Merlin HM1
photo category: helicopters

A Royal Navy Merlin HM1 helicopter from 829 Naval Air Squadron hovers while Royal Navy personnel / Royal Marines fast-rope onto a ship. The Merlin HM1 is a medium-lifte helicopter operated by the Fleet Air Arm as a maritime force protection and anti-submarine platform. 30 airframe in the HM1 fleet have been upgraded to HM2 standard, with improved avionics including a digital cockpit.
U.S. Navy photo by Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Alexis M. Diaz