AgustaWestland AW101

The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter used in both military and civil applications. It was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requirements for a modern naval utility helicopter and first flew in 1987. Several operators, including the armed forces of the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Portugal, call their AW101 aircraft Merlin. It is made in factories in Yeovil, England, and Vergiate, Italy, with licensed assembly work also done in Japan and the United States.

Prior to 2007, the aircraft was sold under the registration EH101. The original designation was EHI 01, after the Anglo-Italian joint venture's name – European Helicopter Industries – but a transcription error changed this to EH101. Westland Helicopters and Agusta merged to form AgustaWestland in 2000, giving rise to the type's current designation.

The AW101 was introduced in 1999 and has since replaced several older helicopter types, including the Sikorsky Sea King, in roles such as medium-sized transport, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and ship-based utility operations. For air-sea rescue, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) uses the CH-149 Cormorant variant. Another variant, the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel, was built for the US presidential transport fleet before the program was canceled and the planes were sold. The AW101 is used by civil operators to transport passengers and VIPs. The type has been used in active combat zones, such as in support of coalition forces during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Price: $21 Million