NHIndustries NH90

NH90
A NH90 of the German Army
Role	Medium transport/utility helicopter
Manufacturer	NHIndustries
First flight	18 December 1995
Introduction	2007[1]
Status	In production, being delivered
Primary users	German Armed Forces Spanish Armed Forces Italian Armed Forces French Armed Forces
Unit cost	€16 million

The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995. To date sixteen nations collectively ordered over 573 helicopters with deliveries starting in 2006.

Design and development

NH90 cockpit

In 1985 France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom teamed to develop a NATO battlefield transport and anti-ship/anti-submarine helicopter for the 1990s. The United Kingdom left the team in 1987.^[2] On 1 September 1992, NH Industries signed an NH90 design-and-development contract with NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency).^{[citation needed]} This agency represented the four participating nations: France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Portugal later joined the agency in June 2001. Design work on the helicopter started in 1993.^{[citation needed]} The first prototype, PT1, made the type's first flight on 18 December 1995.^[2] The second prototype, PT2, first flew on 19 March 1997 and the third prototype, PT3, on 27 November 1998.^{[citation needed]}

The NH90 has been developed in two main variants: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH).^[2] However, many of the customer countries have requested specific changes for their NH90s. The programme had some technical and funding problems in the 1990s.^{[citation needed]} Then the partner nations placed a large production order for 366 helicopters in June 2000.^[2] This was soon followed by a series of orders from Europe, Asia, and Australia.

The NH90 was initially intended to be produced at three exporting assembly lines; Cascina Costa in Italy for AgustaWestland, Marignane in France and Donauwörth in Germany for Eurocopter. The Nordic and Australian contracts stipulated production locally (the Nordic ones at Patria in Finland and the Australian ones in Brisbane).

The programme ran into a 2 year production delay, and the first NH90s were delivered by late 2006. The type certification for the Finnish helicopters was finally approved on 19 February 2008.^[3]

Operational history

Orders

• Norway

In 2001, three Nordic countries signed purchase orders, Sweden placed an order for 18 helicopters (with option to buy additional seven), Finland for 20 helicopters, and Norway for 14 helicopters (with option to buy additional ten).

NH90 is also a candidate for the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) that is planned to replace the Westland Sea King Mk.43B of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in 2015.^[4] The other candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10–12 helicopters are AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin, Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey, Eurocopter EC225 and Sikorsky S-92.^[5] As of 2009 Norway, following programme delays, have not received a date for the delivery of its helicopters.^[6]

• Greece

In August 2003, Greece ordered 20 NH90s with an option for 14 more.^[7] Three aircraft have been delivered to the Greek armed forces by November 2011. These are being used for flight and maintenance training for the Greek Armed Forces.^{[citation needed]}

• Australia

In 2005, Australia ordered 12 to replace outgoing Army UH-1 Iroquois. The number was revised in June 2006 when the Australian Defence Force announced plans to replace its UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-3 Sea King fleets.^[8] with an order of at least 34 additional NH90s, taking their total order to 46; four manufactured in Europe, 42 manufactured locally at Australian Aerospace (a Eurocopter subsidiary) in Brisbane.^[9][10] In Australian service, the NH90 will be known as the MRH 90, where 'MRH' stands for Multi Role Helicopter.^[11]

The NFH variant competed with the Sikorsky MH-60R for the Royal Australian Navy S-70B Sea Hawks replacement program, before selecting the latter in June 2011 with an order of 24.^[12]

• Netherlands

The Netherlands, one of the original supporters of the programme, has 20 units on order. However, due to design changes, the helicopter is too heavy as of 2009 to be used in combination with the Dutch frigates for which they were explicitly ordered. It is unclear what additional changes need to be made to make them suitable for the Dutch primary role.^[13]

• Sweden

In July 2006, the Saudi Government signed a contract to purchase 64 NH90s.^[14] In July 2006, the New Zealand Government signed a contract to purchase 8 NH90s (plus 1 extra for spares) to replace their Air Force's fleet of UH-1 Iroquois. On 20 June 2007, during the Paris Air Show 2007, Belgium signed the contract for 10 NH90s (4 NFH, 4 TTH + 2 options) and also became the sixth nation to join NAHEMA. On the same day, the German Army and the Luftwaffe placed an order for 42 additional NH90s.^{[citation needed]}

• Germany

The German Navy (Deutsche Marine) was considering procuring 30 NFH for their new Maritime Helicopter in 2009.^[15]

First deliveries

The first NH90s were delivered by late 2006 to the German Army. These were followed by Italian and Finnish helicopters in 2007. Later during 2007, the Italian and French navies started to receive their NFH versions and the first Swedish NH90s were also delivered. On 18 December 2007 the first two MRH 90 aircraft were delivered to the Australian Defence Force.^[16] The Royal Netherlands Navy got its first NH90 NFH in April 2010.^[17] Norway started to receive their NH90s in November 2010.^[18]

Concerns over performance

Rear cargo ramp, Luftwaffe NH-90

According to a 2010 Bild report, German Army experts deem the helicopter to be utterly unusable for the transportation of combat troops. Among other things they complained that the seats are only suitable to carry 110 kg (240 lb) maximum weight—not enough for a fully equipped soldier. Weapons cannot be sufficiently secured during transport. The floor is too weak and can be damaged by dirty combat boots. The helicopter can only land on firm ground, with obstacles not exceeding 16 cm (6.3 in). Troops carrying full equipment cannot board/leave the helicopter, as the access ramp is too weak. Adding a doorgun is not possible due to the lack of space.^[19] In response to this article, the German Defense Ministry proclaimed that the report in question referred to a prototype version, and not to the production model, the specifications for which were not even finalised at the time of the report. The prototype evaluation and its results were described as a normal procedure in an ongoing design process.^[20]

On 20 April 2010, an Australian Defence Force MRH-90 suffered an engine failure near Adelaide. Only one engine was affected and the helicopter was landed safely at the Edinburgh base. The manufacturer has sent personnel to Australia to investigate the failure.^[21] On 18 May the ADF announced that all of the Australian MRH-90 fleet were grounded due to engine issues since the 20 April incident.^[22] Flights resumed in July 2010.^[23]

Variants

Dutch NFH

NFH: NATO Frigate Helicopter

The primary role of the NFH version is autonomous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface unit warfare (ASuW), mainly from naval ships. These aircraft are equipped for day and night, adverse weather and severe ship motion operations.

Additional roles include anti-air warfare support, vertical replenishment (VERTREP), search & rescue (SAR) and troop transport.

TTH: Tactical Transport Helicopter

The primary role of the TTH version is the transport of 20 troops or more than 2,500 kg of cargo, heliborne operations and search & rescue. It can quickly be adapted to MEDEVAC/CASEVAC missions by fitting up to 12 stretchers or cargo delivery capability

Additional roles include medical evacuation (12 stretchers), special operations, electronic warfare, airborne command post, parachuting, VIP transport and flight training.

The abbreviation TTT (Tactical Troop Transport) is used for Finnish and Swedish TTHs in some contexts.

Operators

A German Army NH90 flight demonstration

Finnish NH90

Australian MRH90

Australian MRH90 on deck of HMAS Manoora

 Australia

• Australian Army: 46 MRH 90 (TTH), 12 delivered as of 2011 with the remainder to be delivered until 2015.

 Belgium

4 NFH + 4 TTH (2 TTH options)^[24][25] (delivery delayed to 2012)

 Finland

Finnish Army: 20 TTH (SAR)

 France

The NH90s in service in the French Armed Forces (both NFH and TTH versions) will be named "Caïman".^[26]

• French Army: 34 TTH.^[27] + (34 options)
• French Navy: 27 NFH

 Germany

• German Army: 80 TTH
• Luftwaffe (Air Force): 42 TTH/CSAR + (12 options)

 Greece

• Hellenic Army: (Total 20 ordered) 16 TTH, 4 TTH (Special Operations) + 14 TTH (in option)

 Italy

• Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare): 1 TTH/CSAR (in option)
• Italian Army: 60 TTH
• Italian Navy (Marina Militare): 46 NFH, 10 TTH (with some NFH features such as Automatic Folding Blades)

 Netherlands

• Royal Netherlands Navy: 12 NFH^[28]
• Royal Netherlands Air Force: 8 T-NFH (NFH adapted for transport tasks)

Both types are part of the Defence Helicopter Command (Defensie Helikopter Commando)

 New Zealand

• Royal New Zealand Air Force: 8 TTH plus one as a spare.^[29][30]

 Norway

• Royal Norwegian Air Force, 334 Sqn: 6 NFH (ASW) operating from the Fridtjof Nansen class frigates of the Royal Norwegian Navy^[31]
• Royal Norwegian Air Force, 337 Sqn: 8 NFH (Coast Guard) replacing the Westland Lynx Mk. 86^[32]

 Oman

• Royal Air Force of Oman: 20 TTH models with an enhanced power plant ordered for tactical transport operations and search & rescue operations. They are expected to be delivered in 2008.^[33]

 Portugal

• Portuguese Army: 10 TTH

 Spain

Total of 104 on order distributed as follows. The first delivery was in 2010 with 45 helicopters. Spain will have a final assembly line operational at Albacete.^[34]

• Spanish Air Force: 28 TTH/CSAR
• Spanish Army: 48 TTH
• Spanish Navy: 28 NFH/TTH/CSAR/AEW

 Sweden

• Swedish Air Force: 13 High Cabin Version, 5 High Cabin Version (ASW)

Specifications

External lift of a German Army Wolf vehicle

Data from International Directory^[35]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 pilots (and possible sensor operator on NFH)
• Capacity: 20 troops/12 stretchers/2 NATO Pallets or 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) external slung load
• Length: 16.13 m (52 ft 11 in)
• Rotor diameter: 16.30 m (53 ft 6 in)
• Height: 5.23 m (17 ft 2 in)
• Empty weight: 6,400 kg (14,100 lb)
• Useful load: 4,200 kg (9,260 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 10,600 kg (23,370 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 turboshaft, 1,662 kW (2,230 shp) each, or:
• Powerplant: 2× General Electric T700-T6E turboshafts, 1,577 kW (2,115 shp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 300 km/h (162 knots, 186 mph)
• Range: 800 km, 497 mi (TTH); 1,000 km, 621 mi (NFH) ()
• Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 8 m/s (1,574 ft/m)

Armament

• Missiles: anti-submarine and/or air to surface missiles (NFH version), 2x door gun

See also

• European defence procurement
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• AgustaWestland AW101
• AgustaWestland AW159
• Mil Mi-17
• Mil Mi-38
• CH-148 Cyclone
• Eurocopter EC 725
• Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
• Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk
  

References

1. ^ Sgarlato, Nico (April 2008). "Gli NH-90 dell'Esercito" (in Italian). Aeronautica&Difesa. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Frawley, Gerald. "NHIndustries NH 90". The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003. Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
3. ^ "Notification". http://www.mil.fi/ilmavoimat/tiedotteet/3806.dsp ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ "The NAWSARH Project". Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/jd/kampanjer/helicopters/about-the-project.html. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
5. ^ Per Erlien Dalløkken (2009-05-07). "De fem kandidatene" (in Norwegian). Teknisk Ukeblad. http://www.tu.no/motor/article208828.ece. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
6. ^ "Dagbladet". http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/05/07/nyheter/innenriks/forsvaret/forsvarspolitikk/6096826/ 
7. ^ "Greece Signs the Contract for 20 NH90 Helicopters Plus 14 in Option". NHIndustries.com, 1 September 2003.
8. ^ "DMO — Air 9000 Phase 2". http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/lsp/Multi_Role_Helicopter_Program.cfm ^{[dead link]}
9. ^ "Aus Aero". http://www.ausaero.com.au/MRH90/AIR9000/tabid/144/ ^{[dead link]}
10. ^ "Defence to spend $2b more on choppers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2006-06-19. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/defence-to-spend-2b-more-on-choppers/2006/06/18/1150569211566.html. Retrieved 2006-06-19. 
11. ^ "Australian Government Orders 12 NH90 Helicopters". 2005-02-06. http://www.nhindustries.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=328. 
12. ^ Gunner, Jerry. "MH-60R beats NH90 for Australia Navy contract". Key Aero Aviation News, 17 June 2011.
13. ^ "Volkskrant". http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1212914.ece/Nieuwe_NH-90_helikopter_te_zwaar_voor_fregatten 
14. ^ "Defense Aerospace". http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.16783124.1132671768.Q4MzGMOa9dUAAF6SoX0&modele=jdc_34 
15. ^ German Navy to decide soon on their new Maritime Helicopter. Defpro. 20 March 2009. http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/272/. 
16. ^ Image Galleries 2007 - Department of Defence
17. ^ First Dutch NH90 NFH delivered | Australian Aviation Magazine
18. ^ Ørnen har landet - Folkebladet.no
19. ^ Bundeswehr NATO-Hubschrauber NH90: Modernster Helikopter der Welt hat viele Mängel - Politik - Bild.de
20. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
21. ^ Defence grounds choppers after engine malfunction - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
22. ^ Defence grounds new chopper fleet - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
23. ^ "defence.professionals". defpro.com. http://www.defpro.com/news/details/17025/. Retrieved 2010-07-22. 
24. ^ "Minister De Crem announced that options on two supplementary NH90s will be firmed up". 3 July 2008. http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/News/news_2008_3.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-03. 
25. ^ "Nahema signs contract for 10 NH90 helicopters for Belgium". 19 July 2007. http://www.nhindustries.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=341. Retrieved 2007-09-12. 
26. ^ "Le NH90 français s'appellera Caïman". Mer et Marine. 14 June 2010. http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=113447. Retrieved 14 June 2010. 
27. ^ French Army orders 22 more NH90TTH helicopters. Defpro. http://www.defpro.com/news/details/4732/. Retrieved 2011-07-01 
28. ^ First Flight of Royal Netherlands Navy NH90 NFH. NHIndustries. 10 August 2007. http://www.nhindustries.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=344 
29. ^ "Air Force gets new helicopter fleet". 31 July 2006. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10393834. Retrieved 2007-04-19. 
30. ^ "Canbird Economics", Aviation Week & Space Technology, December 4, 2006.
31. ^ Øystein Paulsen (2006-12-22). "334 skvadron" (in Norwegian). Royal Norwegian Air Force. http://www.mil.no/luft/start/omlf/stasjoner/skvadroner/article.jhtml?articleID=77599. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
32. ^ Øystein Paulsen (2006-12-22). "337 skvadron" (in Norwegian). Royal Norwegian Air Force. http://www.mil.no/luft/start/omlf/stasjoner/skvadroner/article.jhtml?articleID=12292. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
33. ^ First NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter for Oman Performed Maiden Flight at Eurocopter in Marignane. Eurocopter. http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=473 
34. ^ "News Breaks", Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 1, 2007.
35. ^ Frawley, Gerald. "NH Industries NH 90". The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003. Fyshwick, Act: Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.

External links

• NH90 page on NH Industries' site
• NH90 page on Royal New Zealand Air Force site
• NH90 page on airforce-technology.com
• "NH90: Europe’s Medium Helicopter Contender". defenseindustrydaily.com
• "MH90 vs. CH148: German Navy to decide soon on their new Maritime Helicopter". defpro.com
• "Eurocopter rejects criticism of NH90 helicopter by ‘secret report’". defpro.com
• www.marinehubschrauber.de. Homepage for the MH90-NG (German NH90 NFH Variant)