The British Royal Navy's final order was for 44 ASW aircraft, originally designated Merlin HAS.1 (Helicopter, Anti-Submarine Mark 1) but soon changed to Merlin HM1 (Helicopter, Maritime Mark 1). Many aircraft are also distributed via 3rd-party hangars. The official FlightGear hangar is called FGAddon and it contains hundreds of aircraft at different stages of development (including aircraft from up to 20 years ago). The type has been deployed to active combat theatres, such as in support of coalition forces during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. Aircraft in FlightGear are often distributed from a hangar. Civil operators use the AW101 for passenger and VIP transportation. Another variant, the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel, was produced to serve in the US presidential transport fleet before the program was cancelled and the aircraft sold off. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) operates the CH-149 Cormorant variant for air-sea rescue. The AW101 entered into service in 1999 and has since replaced several older helicopter types, such as the Sikorsky Sea King, performing roles such as medium-sized transport, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and ship-based utility operations.
In 2000, Westland Helicopters and Agusta merged to form AgustaWestland, leading to the type's current designation. The original designation was EHI 01, from the name given to the Anglo-Italian joint venture – European Helicopter Industries – but a transcription error changed this to EH101.
Prior to 2007, the aircraft had been marketed under the designation EH101. It is manufactured at factories in Yeovil, England and Vergiate, Italy licensed assembly work has also taken place in Japan and the United States. Several operators, including the armed forces of Britain, Denmark, and Portugal, use the name Merlin for their AW101 aircraft. First flown in 1987, 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. The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use.
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