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NH90

 

NH Industries NH90

Type
Multi-purpose military transport and naval helicopter (Mehrzweckhubschrauber für Truppentransporte und Marine-Einsätze)

Country (Land)
France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands (Deutschland, Frankreich, Italien, Niederlande)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
NH Industries
765, rue Albert Einstein
13851 Aix-en-Provence
France

Phone: 0033-4/42959-700
Fax: 0033-4/42959-749
Internet: www.nhindustreis.com

NH Industries is a partnership of AgustaWestland (32 per cent), Eurocopter (31,25 per cent), Eurocopter Deutschland (31,25 per cent) and Stork/Fokker Aerostructures (5,5 per cent).
Production workshare was set at 30,85 per cent for France, 30,85 per cent for Germany, 31,6 per cent for Italy, 5,5 per cent for the Netherlands and 1,2 per cent for Portugal. Based on this arrangement, offset requirements have to be met.

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 –3 (including crew chief). For the NFH 1 or 2 pilots and 2 tactical operators
Troops (Soldaten): Layouts for 14 to 20 on crashworthy troop seats, or up to 12 stretchers (Krankentragen) in a Medevac configuration

Weapons (Bewaffnung): For combat SAR duties, the NH90 can be fitted with 2 swivelling machine guns in the cabin.
The NFH can carry 2 x Mk 46 or 2 x MU90 torpedos or 2 x Marte Mk.II anti-ship missiles.

Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x Rolls-Royce/Turboméca RTM 322-01/9 or (oder) General Electric T700-T6E1 turboshafts
Power (Leistung): The RTM 322 delivers 2 x 1662 kW maximum continuous, 1788 kW (2400 shp) for 30 minutes, 1855 kW for 2.5 minutes and 2158 kW for a 30 sec emergency rating. For the T700 the ratings are 1692 kW max. continuous, 1692 kW for 30 minutes, 1817 kW for 2,5 minutes and 2064 kW for 30 sec.

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 16,13 m
Total length, rotors turning (Länge über alles): 19,56 m, or 13,5 m folded
Fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 2,6 m
Maximum width (max. Breite): 4,52 m or 6,63 m folded
Width over landing-gear fairings (Breite über Fahrwerksausleger): 3,63 m
Height over tail rotor (Höhe): 5,23 m or 4,16 m folded
Height to rotor head (Höhe zum Rotorkopf): 4,16 m
Rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 16,30 m
Rotor disk area (Rotorkreisfläche): 208,7 sq m
Tail-rotor diameter (Durchmesser des Heckrotors): 3,20 m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 4,80 m (excluding rear ramp)
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 2,05 m
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,58 m maximum or 1,82 m in high-cabin version
Cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 15,2 cu m or 17,5 cu m in high cabin version

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 5945 kg for the TTH without mission equipment, or 6288 kg for the NFH without mission equipment
Payload (Nutzlast): over 2500 kg in the cabin
External stores (Außenlasten): 700 kg on NFH
External cargo load (Außenlast): up to 4000 kg for the TTH
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 2036 kg in a seven cell internal system
Auxiliary fuel capacity (Zusatztanks): up to 2 x 500 kg extern and up to 4 x 400 kg in the cabin for ferry missions
Typical mission take-off weight (typische Startmasse): 10000 kg
Max. gross weight (max. Startmasse): 10600 kg or 11400 kg alternate gross weight

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. cruise speed (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 305 km/h for TTH, 290 km/h for NFH (at sea level, ISA + 10 deg C)
Economical cruise speed (wirtschaftliche Reisegeschwindigkeit): 260 km/h for TTH (at 1000 m, ISA +15 deg C) and 245 km/h for NFH (at sea level, ISA + 10 deg C)
Rate of climb (Steigrate): 8,7 m/sec
Service ceiling (max. Einsatzhöhe): 6000 m
Hover ceiling OGE (Schwebeflughöhe ohne Bodeneffekt): 2355 m for the TTH or 2515 m for NFH
Hover ceiling IGE (Schwebeflughöhe im Bodeneffekt): 2960 m, or 3140 m for NFH
Radius of action (Einsatzradius): 300 km with 2000 kg payload and 30 min reserve
Range (Reichweite): 830 km with 16 troops at 110 kg each, plus 20 min reserve
Max. range (max. Reichweite): 800 km for the TTH or 910 km for NFH
Ferry range (Überführungsreichweite): 1200 km or 1220 km for the NFH, both with 2 external tanks
Max. endurance (Einsatzdauer): 4 hr 35 min for the TTH on internal fuel, 4 hr 45 min for the NFH
Flying time 110 km form base (Flugzeit ca. 110 km vom Schiff): 3 hrs 20 min plus 20 min reserve
Design life (Lebensdauer): 10000 flight hours over 30 years.

Costs (Kosten)
The first lot of 298 helicopters, signed in June 2000, has a volume of 6,6 billion Euro.
The 52 NH90s on firm order by the Nordic countries were said to be worth about 1,4 billion Euros (26,9 million Euros per helicopter). Sweden said in September 2001 that its total cost for 18 machines is about 6 billion SEK. Norways order for 14 helicopters was said to be worth 3,4 billion NKr.
Greece said that its 20 helicopters (including four for special ops) cost 657 million US-Dollars, as of August 2003.
As of 2001, the French Senat said that the TTH version unit price was 18,9 million Euros while the NFH cost 30,5 million Euros. French development contributions were put at 540 million Euros.
The fixed-price development contract is valued at 1,37615 billion ECU (equivalent to 2,84 billion DM in 1998, including inflation allowances). Funds are provided by France (412,83 million ECU), Eurocopter France (161,24 million ECU), Germany (256,41 million ECU), Eurocopter Deutschland (74,59 million ECU), Netherlands (89,44 million ECU), Fokker (2,64 million ECU) and Italy (370 million ECU).
An additional works contract followed in October 1995 for things like rear ramp, qualification of second engine option etc. It is valued at 58,23 million ECU.

Customers (Kunden)
400 orders were received by July 2006.
As of the spring of 2006, there were 357 orders and 187 commitments for the NH90. In July 2004, 345 firm orders, 86 options by ten countries were listed. By September 2003, firm orders stood at 325 with 86 options. By the end of 2001, NH Industries boasted 305 firm orders and 72 options from eight European countries.
Definite procurement figures for the four NH90 partner nations were fluctuating over the years, and revised downwards from the long-standing number of 726 to 642 and then 619, and finally (in December 1999) to 595, as follows (previous figures in parentheses):
  • France: 27. Total requirement was 110 (160) TTH + 27 (60) NFH. In the first batch, France has contracted for 27 NFHs on 30 June 2000.
  • Germany: 80 (+54 options). Total requirement was for 181 (234) TTH + 38 (38) NFH. Firm orders in the first batch, signed on 30 June 2000, are 50 TTH for the Army and 30 for the air force (23 will have provisions for CSAR). There are also 54 options. Latest indications from mid-2004 point to a total offtake of 42 for the Luftwaffe, 30 for the navy and some 80 for the army, i.e. a total of 152.
  • Italy: 116 (+ 1 option). Total requirement was 140 (150) TTH + 56 (64) NFH. In the first batch, signed on 30 June 2000, 70 TTHs and 46 NFHs have been ordered, plus one option for a CSAR variant (for air force tests).
  • Netherlands: 20 NFH. All were signed up in June 2000. In mid-2006 were there discussion to amend the order to 12 NFHs and 8 TTHs.
In 2001, NH Industries made a big breakthrough with the first export contracts for the NH90:
  • Finland: 20. A contract for 20 TTT (Tactical Troop Transport) was signed on 19 October 2001 by Jan-Erik Enestam, Minister of Defence. Deliveries were planned to start in late 2004 and continue though 2008. Assembly will be by Patria.
  • Norway: 14 + 10 options (for the coast guard). Norway signed up for 6 ASW and 8 coast guard variants on 30 November 2001. All are based on the NFH version, with nationalised avionics and dedicated equipment. Deliveries were to begin with the coast guard version late 2005 and run until 2008.
  • Portugal: 10. TTH for the Army, to replace SA 330s. The contract was signed at the Paris Air Show on 21 June 2001. Portugal joined NAHEMA and OGMA got a work package.
  • Sweden: 18 + 7 options. A contract for 10 TTT, 5 SAR and 3 ASW versions was signed on 26 September 2001. These are of the high-cabin version. Deliveries were to start in early 2005, completion being planned for 2009.
Further export successes include:
  • Australia: 46. At first, 12 were ordered on 2 June 2005 through Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace. Designated MRH (multi role helicopter. Deliveries were expected to start in 2007. On 30 June 2006, Australia ordered another 34 MRH90 helicopters.
  • Belgium: Has selected the NH90 on 9 December 2005, when the procedure for the acquisition of 10 helicopters was launched by the Council of Ministers.
  • Greece: 20 + 14 options. A purchase order was signed on 29. August 2003 for 657 million US-Dollars (excluding options). 16 are TTHs with 4 special operation variants. All can be used for Medevac duties with 4 role kits. The options were for 12 TTH and 2 special ops models. Engine selected was the RTM322-01/9. Deliveries were to start in late 2005.
  • New Zealand: 9. New Zealand selected the NH90 in 2005. A contract for 9 transport helicopters was then signed on 31 July 2006.
  • Oman: 20. Ordered on 24 July 2004, with deliveries to start in 2008. They get RTM322 engines with improved power output.
  • Spain: Has selected the NH90 in May 2005. 45 should be ordered for a price of around one billion Euro, it was said.
  • Unnamed Customer: There seems to be an government-to-government deal between France and Saudi Arabia for ten NFHs.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar (Super Puma)
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Sikorsky S-92

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The NH90 is one of the largest European defence programmes, aimed at modernising the helicopter inventories of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, replacing such types as the Puma, Super Frelon, Sea Lynx, Bell UH-1D, 212, 412 and Westland Sea King.
In the four nation programme, development workshare is as follows:
  • France: 41,6 per cent
  • Germany: 23,7 per cent
  • Italy: 28,2 per cent
  • Netherlands: 6,5 per cent
Due to the differing offtakes agreed in 1999 and the accession of Portugal as a full member in the programme in 2001, these shares were revised for the production programme as follows:
  • France: 30,85 per cent
  • Germany: 30,85 per cent
  • Italy: 31,6 per cent
  • Netherlands: 5,5 per cent
  • Portugal: 1,2 per cent
Management of the programme is through NH Industries and NAHMEA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency), which is responsible for the qualification of the NH90 weapon system.
The NH90 work packages are split as follows among the four NH Industries partner companies:
  • Agusta: rear fuselage, main gearbox, hydraulic system, automatic flight control system, plant management system, NFH mission systems and integration, assembly line for Italian and Dutch NH90s, plus the 14 helicopters ordered by Norway.
  • Eurocopter (France): power plant, rotors, electrical system, flight control system, core avionics system, assembly line for French NH90s and German NFHs
  • Eurocopter (Germany): forward and center fuselage, fuel system, communicatins system, avionics control system, common and TTH mission systems, assembly line for German TTHs
  • Stork/Fokker: tail structure, doors and sponsons, landing gear, intermediate gearbox
There are two basic variants of the NH90, the TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) and the NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter).
  • TTH: The TTH can transport up to 20 combat ready troops in all weather conditions. A rear ramp enables the loading of small vehicles. Possible roles are Medevac, VIP transport or SAR and Combat SAR, as well as airborne command post.
  • NFH: Primary missions of the NFH are ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) and ASUW (Anti Surface Vessel Warfare). It can also be used for SAR , vertical replenishment or mine laying. Crew options are three or four, depending of how many sensor consoles are installed in the cabin. The NFH has automatic rotor and tail folding mechanisms (less than 3 minutes).

History (Geschichte)
After nearly a decade of studies, the NH90 programme started in earnest with the signature of a fixed-price development contract on 1. September 1992, worth 1,376 billion ECU (equivalent to 2,84 billion DMs in 1998, including inflation allowances).
A second document, covering „Additional Work and National Customisation“ was signed on October 8, 1995.
Preliminary design and detailed design work as well as wind-tunnel tests were conducted in 1993, while in 1994 the first parts like rotor-blades, fuselage and systems were built and the main fuselage modules of PT1 joined at Marignane. The flight test programme includes five prototypes, as follows:
  • PT1: The first prototype was flown with some delay regarding to contractual obligations on 18. December 1995 at Marignane.
  • In July 1997, PT1 was transferred to Cascina Costa in Italy for the installation of the T700 alternate engine. It was flown in this new configuration on March 13, 1998 by test pilots Fabio Frisi and Carlo Topndi, with flight engineer Marco Montorfano.
  • In June 2000, PT1 was finally retired from flight test, to be used as marketing mock-up. It had 365 flight hours, of which 158 with the RTM322 and 207 with the T700 engines.
  • PT2: The second NH90 flew on March 19, 1997, also at Marignane. It is the first to have the fly-by-wire system, which was used for the first time on 2. July. It was mainly responsible for proofing the FBW system, the rotor and tail folding mechanisms as well as checking the aerodynamic configuration of the frigate helicopter with external stores. By mid-2001, 300 hours had been flown.
  • PT3: First flown on 27 November 1998, about a month late. A very complete test system is fitted. PT3 was used for icing tests in the spring of 2001. It also extended the envelope to 10,6 tons take-off weight and conducted hot weather trials.
  • PT4: The first helicopter in TTH configuration took off at Ottobrunn on 31 May 1999. It is used for the development of the TTH mission systems and equipment like FLIR, winch or rear loading ramp. 110 hours by mid-2001.
  • PT5: Built in NFH configuration, it was scheduled to fly in October 1999, but it was not until 22 December 1999 that it took off for a 20 minute sortie at the Cascina Costa plant of Agusta in Italy. This amounts to a delay of maybe nine months. Carlo Tondi was at the controls, with flight engineers Marco Montorfano and Stefano Rognoni also on board. It has verified vibration conditions and is used for testing the NFH mission systems. A deck landing campaign was conducted in Mai 2001 aboard the “Etna” in Italy.
By 24. September 2001, a total of 1124 hours had been flown in the test programme.
It had been hoped that contracts for industrialisation and production could be signed in 1998, but this did not happen, and even the hope of a signature at the Paris Air Show in June 1999 was dashed. New financial stingencies in many partner countries and particularly in Germany thwarted the latest target date of contract signature by the end of 1999. It should have covered production investment and a first batch of 152 helicopters.
In December 1999, the four participating countries decided to cut their total offtake to 595 helicopters. On the other hand, the first batch was increased to 196 and later even to 253 NH90s.
A Memorandung of Unterstanding for production preparation and production of a first batch was signed on 8 June 2000 at the ILA exhibition in Berlin. Contract signature with industry followed on 30 June 2000.
A first de-icing campaign was conducted from 13 April 2001 with the third prototype (PT3).
On 3 May 2001, the prototypes notched up 1000 flight test hours.Portugal joined the NH90 programme on 21 June 2001, at a formal ceremony during the Paris Air Show.
NH Industries participated in the competition for a Nordic Helicopter Programme, jointly launched by Denmark, Finnland, Norway and Sweden. Denmark in the end choose the EH101, but the other three nations announced their preference for the NH90 on 13 September 2001.
Contract signature with Sweden for 25 NH90, including seven options, followed on 26 September 2001.
The Finnish contract was signed on 19 October 2001 by Jan-Erik Enestam, Miniser of Defence. It included a side agreement concerning the allocation of an assembly line to Patria. At the same time, EADS acquired a 26,8 per cent stake in Patria.
Norway followed with its contract signature on 30 November in Oslo, by Major General Ivar Gjetnes, Commander of the Royal Norwegian Air Force Material Command.
Deliveries of the NH90 were at some point meant to begin in late 2003, but by late 2001, this had slipped to March 2004, a TTH model to Germany. Also, at that time it was mentioned that the French Navy expected its NFH90s from 2005.

The final assembly of the first series NH90 started in the summer of 2002 at Eurocopter Germany in Donauwörth and the Agusta facility at Vergiate.
The NH90 successfully completed its crash test on 24 October 2002 at Ottobrunn near Munich. The fuselage center section was dropped on the ground with a speed of 7,7 m/s.
On 25 November 2002, Greece announced its selection of the NH90, becoming the ninth European customer. Defence Minister Yannos Papantoniuo said that 651 million dollars will be put aside for an initial batch of 42 machines, with the requirement being up to 60.
In mid-January 2003, an NH90 was airlifted by An-124-100 to Iqualuit in northern Canada for extensive cold weather trials.
In February 2003, the PT2 visited Australia, participating in the Australian International Air Show (11 – 16 February) and then touring the country for ten days.
Lockheed Martin Canada announced on 9 April 2003 that it will pursue the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project in partnership with NH Industries and Thales Systems Canada. A formal teaming arrangement was signed
On 5 June 2003, Stork Aerospace in Papendrecht delivered the first complete tail section for the NH90 helicopter, marking the start of series production in the Netherlands.
On 17. June 2003, the assembly of the first high-cabin NH90 for Sweden began with the fitting of the cabin and center fuselage sections at Marignane.
In July 2003, the German Heeresflieger said that the first lot of 80 NH90 will be delivered from 2004 (three), with 6 in 2005, 9 each in 2006 and 2007, 11 in 2008, 12 in 2009 and 10 each in 2010 through 2012.
Greece signed a contract for 20 NH90s plus 14 options on 29 August 2003 in Athens. An offset agreement with HAI was included. The value was given as 657 million US-Dollars for 20 helicopters.
Patria officially inaugurated its new facilities for NH90 final assembly in Jämsä on 30 October 2003. The new building has an area of 2800 sq m. Deliveries to Finland are now said to start in 2005.
The first flight of the NH90 with full fly-by-wire (no mechanical backup) was performed on 12 December 2003. It lasted 50 minutes. Pilot of PT3 was Philippe Boutry, with flight test engineers Denis Trivier and Jean-Claude Rabany.
On 21 April 2004, Saab Aerostructures started with the assembly of its first forward fuselage for the NH90. The company got a contract for 270 examples as part of the Swedish order for the new helicopter. Production of parts had started in January.
The first production NH90 made its 2 hour 5 minutes maiden flight on 4 May 2004 at the Eurocopter facility in Donauwörth. It was then airlifted by Beluga transport to the ILA airshow at Berlin-Schönefeld, where it was presented to defence minister Struck and other VIPS during a ceremony on 11 May. On the same day, the Contractor Logistic Support contract for Germany was signed by NAHEMA and NHI. During ILA, it was said that the qualification of the TTH should be achieved by April 2005, with the NFH following in November 2005. TTH deliveries were expected to start in June 2005, with NFHs following in December 2005. More than 25 helicopters were on the assembly lines.
In the summer of 2004, NH90 prototype no. 4 was subjected to electromagnetic compatibility tests at the WTD 61 facilities in Manching.
The defence minister of Oman signed a contract for 20 TTH helicopters on 24 July 2004. This was the first success for the NH90 outside of Europe.
In August 2004, the Australian Ministry for Defence decided to acquire 12 NH90s under the Air 9000 Programme for the army.
Northrop Grumman and EADS North America announced their intention to work together to provide the US Air Force with the next-generation personnel recovery vehicle on 1 September 2004.
On 4 September 2004, MBDA signed an initial production contract with Eurocopter to equip all versions of the NH90 with the SAPHIR-M decoy self protection system.
The first production NH90 helicopter in Italy flew on 15 September 2004 at Agustas Vergiate plant. It was powered by the GE T700/T6E1 engines. On the same day, the first NH90 destined for the Finnish armed forces took off for its maiden flight at Eurocopters Marignane plant in France.
Patria received an order for 150 rear fuselages from Agusta on 16. September 2004.
Mrs. Gala Goncalves took over the post of General Manager of NH Industries on 23 March 2005, replacing Gerard Maitrepierre, who returned to Eurocopter.
The first NH90 with a high cabin for Sweden took to the air on 18 March 2005 at Marignane. The flight lasted 55 minutes. And was performed by Philippe Boutry (pilot), with flight test engineers Denis Trivier and Jean-Claude Rabany. This was the fourth series production NH90 leaving the ground.
In March 2005, New Zealand defence minister Mark Burton said the country had selected NH Industries to supply new helicopters. No decision was made on the number yet.
On 14 April 2005, Northrop Grumman said that it was dropping out of the CSAR competition of the USAF.
In the spring of 2005, indications were that the certification of the TTH should be achieved by November 2005, with first helicopters to be handed over by year end. This was said to be a delay from the former plan of April 2004 deliveries.
The Spanish Government selected the NH90 on 20 May 2005 for its modernisation plans. It was planned that a first batch of 45 helicopters should be purchased.
On 2 June 2005, Australia signed the contract for 12 MRH90s. 8 of those were to be assembled at the Australian Aerospace facility in Brisbane. “This translates into 150 highly-skilled Australian jobs”, it was declared.
The first Patria-assembled NH90 (KH-202) made its successful maiden flight in Halli, Jämsä, on 13 July 2005. The flight time was 65 minutes. Pilot was Didier Guerin from Eurocopter. Patria will assembly 50 NH90s. On the same day, the first Hellenic serial production NH90 took to the air in Marignane. It flew for 95 minutes with Jean-Pierre Roldan as pilot.
From 17 to 30 September 2005, the NH90 was in the hands of the Gamstat (Airmobile Group of the French Army Engineering Branch) for the evaluation of its tactical capabilities. PT4 (German TTH model) was used. Army pilots logged 13 flight hours. After an initial daytime familiarization flight, the majority of the missions took place at night to test the utilization of NVGs and then the Topowl helmet coupled to the piloting FLIR.
The NH90 came through its high altitude tests in Ecuador form 13 September to 5 October 2005. The goal was to extend the take-off and landing envelope ot about 4000 m. 21 flights representing 20 hours, 35 minutes were performed.
The second NH90 with high cabin flow on 14 October 2005 in Marignane.
Belgium was the 14th country to select the NH90 when the Council of Ministers authorised the launching of the procedure to acquire ten helicopters on 9 December 2005.
The first Italian navy NH90 took to the air on 15 December 2005 at AgustaWestlands Vergiate facility. The flight lasted 35 minutes.
NH Industries announced the Qualification of the German army NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter on 29 March 2006, during a “Review Executive Meeting” with NAHEMA.
The first NFH helicopter for France (F-ZWTO) made its maiden flight on 12 May 2006.
Following the announcement on 19 June 2006, Australia signed a contract for 34 additional MRH90s on 30 June 2006.
The government of New-Zealand announced a firm order for 9 NH90 to provide 8 operational helicopters to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) on 31 July 2006. A signing ceremony took place in Wellington with Phil Goff, Minister of Defence of New-Zealand in presence of Philippe Harache, Eurocopter's Senior Executive Vice President.
 

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