NH90

Remarque: it is indeed orthography “NH90” and not “NH-90”.

NH90 is a Hélicoptère military bi- turbine of the class of the 10 tons. It is declined in two versions:

  • TTH ( Tactical Transport Helicopter )
  • NFH ( NATO Frigate Helicopter ).

NH90 is a Hélicoptère military twin-turbine engine, of 10,6 T, multifunction, developed to reach naval and tactical functionalities for the transport in particular and initially wanted by the Germany, the France, the Italy and the Netherlands. It is currently in production and will be soon in service.

It is produced by NHIndustries a Joint-venture which includes/understands Eurocopter (to 62,5%), Agusta and Stork Fokker AESP (group Fokker).

Features

First flight: the December 18th 1995.

Crew: 2 + 20.

  • Motorization: 2 turbine engines of 1 850 ch on the tree MTU Aero Engines/Rolls-Royce/Turboméca MTR322 or General Electric T700-T6E

  • maximum Speed: 300 km/h
  • Climbing speed: 480 m/min
  • Autonomy: 5:30 min
  • Empty weight: 6.800 kg
  • maximum Mass: 10.600 kg
  • Diameter principal rotor: 16 m
  • Length: 19,5 m
  • Height: 5,5 m

Short chronology ( to update )

  • Vol of the 4th prototype on June 1st, 1999

  • Europe makes the choice of the NH-90, on April 18th, 2000.
  • of the engines Rolls-Royce - Turbomeca on June 8th, 2000
  • the production begins on June 8th, 2000
  • engines General Electric for the Italian NH-90.
  • Eurocopter confirms the order of 243 NH-90 on June 30th, 2000.
  • 1st series of 298 helicopters launched on July 5th, 2000
  • the engines of the NH-90 supplement the test of temperature on January 15th, 2001
  • the Portugal joined program NH-90, on June 21st, 2001
  • choice of the NHSP for the Finland, the Norway and the Sweden, on September 13rd, 2001
  • Sweden orders 25 NH90 on September 26th, 2001
  • Finland orders 20 NH90 on October 19th, 2001
  • Norway order 24 NH90 on November 30th, 2001
  • Belgium orders 8 NH90 on June 18th, 2007
  • Germany orders 42 additional NH90 on June 19th, 2007

Program NH90

Program NH90 was born from studies undertaken by NATO Industrial Advisory Group NIAG SG 14 (NATO) for a common helicopter of tactical and naval transport. In 1992, agency NAHEMA (NAto HElicopter Agency Management) is created. This one represents the four participating nations: Italy, France, Germany and Netherlands. At this same time, NH Industries is created; this one is made up of four companies shareholders: Agusta (Italy), Eurocopter France (France), Eurocopter Deutschland (Germany) and Stork Fokker (Netherlands). NHI ensures the management of program NH90, marketing and the support after-sales.

In June 2001, the Portugal joined program NH90 and becomes shareholder with 1,5%. There are then 5 nations taking part in the program.

End 2002, the Finland, the Norway and the Sweden, gathered within the committee of program NSHP (Standard Nordic Helicopter Project), selected the NH90.

September 1st 2003, the Greece sign the order of 20 NH90 (more 14 in option).

The July 24th 2004, the Sultanate of Oman signs the order of 20 NH90 for its air force. It is about the first contract to export except Europe.

In August 2004, the Australia decides to equip its army with the NH90, called MRH-90 (Multi-Role Helicopter 90). It is about a firm control of 12 apparatuses. Australia becomes the 11th country customer of NHIndustries.

In April 2005, New Zealand announces its intention to be equipped with helicopters NH90 to replace its growing old fleet (for its Air force). The number of ordered apparatuses should turn around 10 or 12.

December 14th, 2005, the Belgium places order of 10 NH90 which will replace its Sea King and its Alouette III. Since of new orders intervened with in particular a German additional order of 42 specimens at the time of the Paris airshow 2007

On the whole: 495 machines and 60 options in the order book (at the September 2007 NHIndustries source

Order book (at January 1st, 2007)

    • 27 NFH for the Navy
    • 68 TTH including 17 farms for the Army - up to date on Nov. 30, 2007

    • 60 TTH for the Army
    • 10 TTH for the Navy
    • 46 NFH for the Navy
    • Option: 1 TTH/CSAR for the Air force

    • 80 TTH for the Army
    • 19 TTH for the Air force (and 14 TTH in option)
    • 23 TTH (configured SAR) for the Air force

    • 20 NFH for the Navy

  • (June 2001)
    • 10 TTH for the Army

  • (September 2001)
    • 13 TTT/SAR
    • 5 ASW (higher cabin) (and 7 ASW in option)

  • (October 2001)
    • 20 TTT for the Army

  • (November 2001)
    • 6 ASW
    • 8 CG (Coast Guard) (and 10 CG in option)

  • (August 2003)
    • 16 TTH for the Army (and 12 TTH in otion)
    • 4 TTH for Special operations (and 2 OS in option)

  • (July 2004)
    • 20 TTH for the Air force

  • (August 2004, then June 2006)
    • 12 MRH90 + 34 MRH90

  • (April 2005)
    • 9 TTH

  • (May 2005)
    • 45 TTH

  • (December 2005)
    • 4 TTH (+2 in option)
    • 4 NFH

Orders

(in 2007)
  • firm Controls: 455
  • Options: 86
  • Total: 541
of which:
  • TTH: 362
  • NFH : 93

See too

  • List of the military aircrafts

External bonds

  • nh90.net (not-official site)
  • NHI (official site)
  • Images of NH90
  • NH-90NFH of naval Aeronautics, history, characteristics, photographs

Random links:Paul Emile de Puydt | El Paso | Mani Ratnam | Rupal | Wapakoneta | Abbeville,_Mississippi