The AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter is in service with several countries around the world. To the UK armed forces the aircraft is known as the Merlin, while the Italian military uses a number of different versions, among which is the Italian Air Force's HH-101A Caesar. This derivative is armed with 7.62mm machine guns, can undertake air-to-air refuelling from KC-130J Hercules tankers, and operates in the combat search and rescue, special forces, medical evacuation and slow-moving intercept roles. The first of 15 HH-101As on order entered operational service in February of this year with the 15° Stormo at Cervia: the example being displayed at RIAT comes from the Reparto Sperimentale Volo flight test centre at Pratica di Mare.

Photo credit: Kevin Wills