NH90
IOC: 2005
Total Production: 563
Total Program's Cost: USD$18.0 billion
NH90 NFH
Production: 116
Origin
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Contractor/s
Eurocopter (63%)
AgustaWestland (32%)
Stork (5.5%)
NH Industries *
Applications
Charles de Gaulle
Comandanti
Conte di Cavour
F124 Sachsen
F310 Fridtjof Nansen
Floreal
FREMM
Galicia
Holland
Horizon
Johan de Witt
La Fayette
LCF
Meteoro
Mistral
PA 2
Family Members
NH90 TTH
Guided Missiles:
FASGW-ANL
Torpedoes:
MU90 Impact
Sting Ray
Power plant:
RTM322-01/9 (2)
T700-T6E1 (2)
Sensors & Communications:
AN/AAR-60 MILDS
AN/APS-143
ENR
TopOwl
TWE
Euroflir 410
Protection Systems:
AN/ALQ-211 SIRFC
ISPS
Saphir-M
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Description:
The NH90 helicopter is a twin-engine, medium-weight helicopter designed to perform tactical transport and naval operations. The NH90 helicopter meets the joint requirements of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal (joining the program in 2001). It will replace current UH-1, Puma/Cougar, Lynx, and Sea King helicopters. The NH90 program is managed by the NH Industries consortium comprising Eurocopter (62.5%), Agusta (32%) and Stork Fokker (5.5%).
The NH90 helicopter airframe is made extensively with composite materials and the helicopter design features modularity and sub-systems integration. The whole aircraft meets high reliability, ease of maintenance, and low ownership costs criteria. Thanks to its advanced characteristics the NH90 will be able to operate day/night, in all-weather conditions, and heavy countermeasures environments. The NH90 design has been optimized for operation well into the 21st century providing growth to accommodate future sub-systems, equipment and improvements.
The NH90 helicopter design also includes low radar signature for better and a crash-resistant fuselage to provide a better survivability on the battlefield. This helicopter can also be powered by two different powerplants the RTM322 or the T700-T6E engines.
To date, the NH90 helicopter has been ordered by France (27), Germany (80+54), Italy (136+1), the Netherlands (20), Finland (20), Sweden (18+7), Norway (14+10), Portugal (10), and Greece (20+14). The total number of helicopters ordered to date, options included, is 411.
The NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) helicopter has been conceived to perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) missions in conjunction with the parent ship. In addition the NH90 NFH helicopter will be able to support anti-air warfare (AAW) missions and perform vertical replenishment, search and rescue and troops transport.
The NH90 NFH helicopter only needs a crew of 3 to perform basic ASW and ASuW missions thanks to the enhanced handling qualities of this aircraft. It will be equipped with sonobuoys, dipping sonar, tactical radar, magnetic anomaly detector, FLIR, EW systems, and anti-submarine and anti-surface weapons. Due to its folding system the NH90 helicopter is suitable for small frigates.
The high cabin NH90 version ordered by the Swedish Armed Forces made its maiden flight on 18 March 2005 at Eurocopter's plant in Marignane, France. The Swedish NH90 variant offers 24 additional centimeters of cabin height, from 1.58 m to 1.82 m, meant to provide a more comfortable flight environment.
Specifications
Accommodation: Crew 3, Passengers 20
Dimensions: Height 5.4 m, Length 19.6 m, Main Rotor Diameter 16.4 m
Weights: Max Weight 9,100 kg (20,062 lb), Payload 2,500 kg (5,511 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 3,300 m (10,827 ft), Cruise Speed 72 mps (260 kph), Endurance 5 hours, Max Range 950 km (513 nm), Top Speed 81 mps (291 kph)
Power: Power 4,792 shp
Other: Main Rotor Blades 4, Number of Engines 2
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Belgium / 4 
France / 27 
Italy / 46 
Netherlands / 20 
Norway / 14 
Sweden / 5 
NH90 ASW helicopters 5 + 2 options