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NH INDUSTRIES NH90
The NH90 is one of the largest military programmes in Europe, with over 600 helicopters to be ordered by Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, plus chances for more export sales. Here we have listed the major events of the last years, but you can also look up the technical data.Future Milestones
2017Last deliveries of NFHs to the German Navy
2016
Last deliveries of TTH helicopters to the German armed forces
2011
First deliveries of TTH variants to France.
2007
First deliveries of NFHs to the German Navy and to the Netherlands.
2004
First deliveries of TTHs to Italy as well as NFHs to France and Italy.
2003
Deliveries begin with TTHs to Germany
2002
Development of a Combat SAR variant starts
October 1999
PT5 in naval configuration to fly at Agusta.
Recent Events
29. June 1999Eurocopter Deutschland presents its PT4 prototype at Ottobrunn. Speakers at the ceremony urge fast decisions on production to keep to schedules and to have a good chance at the international market.
9. June 1999
French defence minister Alain Richard declares that the production contract for the NH90 should now be signed by the end of 1999. He thinks that only details have to be worked out.
31. May 1999
The PT4 prototype makes its maiden flight at Ottobrunn. The trial started at 16.33 pm, lasting one hour and 5 minutes and attaining 140 kts maximum speed with 5000 ft altitude. The PT4 was flown by experimental test pilots Herbert Graser and Andrew Warner. Flight test engineer Denis Hamel was also on board. Power is by RTM322-01/9 engine.
May 1999
The first three prototpyes have now logged more than 420 flight hours. The flight envelope has been opened up to 20000 feet altitude, at speeds up to 190 kts, at extreme centres of gravity, at a max gross weight of 10000 k, 12 deg slope landings and rolling landings at speeds exceeding 50 kts.
May 1999
It seems that industry has now agreed to a further cost reduction of some 13 per cent compared with prices in July 1998, on condition that production contracts are signed this year.
1999
The Netherlands decide to postpone introduction of the NFH version of the NH90 from 2003 to 2007.
27. November 1998
First flight of the PT3 at Marignane.
22 - 23 July 1998
PT1 performs a ship trials campaign off the Italian coast, making 62 landings on a French frigate.
15. July 1998
NH Industries submits its "best and final" pricing proposals for the production investment phase and a first production batch of around 150 helicopters to management agency NAHEMA. The submission includes configuration details for a dozen or so variants with differing equipment standards to allow the customers to mix and match their orders to fit budgetary constraints.
July 1998
Prototype PT1 has now completed 184,8 hours in 188 sorties, while the tally for PT2 is 84 flights and 77 hours.
June 1998
NAHEMA issues a revised request for proposals covering industrialization and first production batch of 151 helicopters.
18. May 1998
The NH90 Steering Committee convenes for its 29th meeting to finalize the preparatory activities for the production phase. Special attention is given to the ongoing cost reduction activities where already a very significant step was made by industry towards price targets set by the nations. The aim of negotiations is now to assure delivery of the first NH90 in 2003.
May 1998
The NH90 performs daily flight displays at the ILA air show at Berlin Schönefeld.
May 1998
The second prototype starts flight tests with the digital segment of its fly-by-wire-system
13. March 1998
The prototpye PT1 flies for the first time with the GE T700/T6E engines istalled, at Cascina Costa. The trial started at 9.45 am anf for the next 55 minutes the helicopter was flown by experimental test pilots Fabio Frisi and carlo tondi and flight test engineer Marco Montorfano. The T700 is destined for Italian NH90s to get commonality with the engines of the EH 101.
March 1998
Flight test hours have now reached 160 with PT1 and 50 with PT2. The ground test vehicle (GTV) has logged more than 300 hours so far.
December 1997
NH Industries receives ISO 9001 certification.
December 1997
German defence minister Volker Rühe says that NH90 training for German crews will be at Achum (Bückeburg). Whether foreign countries will participate is not yet clear.
17. October 1997
Philippe Stuckelberger is nominated as General Manager of NH Industries, succeeding Jean-Pierre Barthélemy, who takes up new resposibilites at Eurocopter.
15. October 1997
NH Industries submits two commercial proposals concerning production investment and first production batch to NAHEMA.
September 1997
The offer from Thomson-CSF, Dasa and Alenia for the radar of the NFH variant is selected by Naheme in preference of Dassault, Texas Instruments, Elettronica and NLR.
29. July 1997
The PT1 is flown to Agusta at Cascina Costa for the installation of the alternative General Electric T700 engine.
2. July 1997
The PT2 flies for the first time with the analogue part of the fly-by-wire system activated. The trial started at 5.30 pm and for the next 20 minutes the helicopter was flown checking the global functioning of the systems and then the overall helicopter behaviour. During the flight, a top speed of 90 kts was realized, with turn of 30 degrees bank. Test pilots Guy Dabadie, Philippe Bourtry and test engineers were satisfied with the results.
June 1997
NH90 is displayed at the Paris Air Show, with daily flights.
May 1997
It filters through that MTU is no longer intersted in co-producing the RTM322 engine for NH90, but is promoting the General Electric T700 instead.
25. April 1997
Total flight time of PT1 is now 110 hours, plus three hours for the PT2.
19. March 1997
First flight of PT2 at Marignane. The helicopter took off at 6.15 pm with test pilt Philippe Boutry and flight test engineers Denis Trivier and Jean-Claude Rabany. It will be dedicated to the development of the fly-by-wire control sysstem, but the first flight was performed in the mechanical mode.
January 1997
The Durch National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) has carried out windtunnel tests of a model of the NH90 to evaluate the helicopters infrared signature during a range of flight contitions.
November 1996
Roll-out of the second prototype PT2 at Marignane.
September 1996
As the squeze on defence budgets continues, the proposed production numbers for the NH90 are reduced from 726 to 647, as follows:
- France 160 (133 TTH and 27 NFH)
- Germany 243 (205 TTH and 38 NFH)
- Italy 243 (160 TTH plus 64 NFH)
- Netherlands 20 (20 NFHs)
The first prototype has now achieved 37 flight hours, while teh Ground Test Vehicle running time stands at 230 hours.
May 1996
In-flight presentation to the French president Chaques Chirac.
May 1996
Daily flight demonstrations at the ILA show at Berlin-Schönefeld.
15. February 1996
First official presentation of the NH90 at Marignane. More than 400 government officials and other guests are present.
February 1996
French procurement chief Henri Conze demands a price cut of at least 20 per cent for the NH90.
13. February 1996
Third flight of the PT1 with a duration of 55 minutes. The flight envelope is now open upt to 260 km/h and 65 km/h in sideways flight.
6. February 1996
Second flight of the PT1 with a duration of 35 minutes.
18. December 1995
First flight of PT1 at Marignane. The helicopter took off at 4 pm with test pilots Philippe Boutry and Guy Dabadie as well as test engineers Denis Tribier and Jean-Claude Rabany. Time in the air was 40 minutes.
6. October 1995
Signature of the Additional Work and National Customisation contract by NAHEMA and NH Industries. This has a value of 58,23 million ECU. The items in this contract include the T700/T6E engine, a rear ramp for the TTH and a second missile reinforcement for installation of heavy stores of up to 700 kg. National customisations refer to a command post study, cannon pod installation study, sand filter, second VHF/FM for the TTH version as well as sonobuy data relay study, a Tacan and the rear ramp for the NFH version.
29. September 1995
Roll-out of the PT1 at Marignane in the presence of military representatives of the four countries.
28. September 1995
First run of the grond test vehicle at Agusta
1995
Beginnin of the PT3 manufacturing
February 1995
It is now expected that first deliveries will slip from 1999 to 2001.
20. September 1994
Eurocopter Deutschland is delivering the first centre fuselage for final assembyl to the Marignane plant in southern France.
20. May 1994
The first composite main and tail rotor blades are presented at the La Courneuve factory.
October 1993
Assembly of prototypes begins at Eurocopter in Marignane (France).
1993
Wind tunnel tests of the NH90 in the NLR
1. September 1992
The design and development contract is signed by NAHEMA and NH Industries in Aix-en-Provence. The prototype is expected to fly late in 1995 with first deliveries by the end of 199. The numbers are now
- France 220 (150 TTH and 60 NFH)
- Germany: 272 (234 TTH and 38 NFH)
- Italy: 214 (150 TTH and 64 NFH)
- Netherlands: 20 (20 NFH)
NH Industries is incorporated as the joint venture company in Aix-en-Provence to manage the NH90 programme.
March 1992
Signature of the intercompany agreement (ICA) by the four companies involved: Agusta, Eurocopter France, Eurocopter Deutschland, Fokker Aviation
February 1992
Creation of the NAHEMA (Government management agency)
October 1991
French defence minister Pierre Joxe now says before the defence comittee of the National Assembly that the NH90 programme will go ahead.
August 1991
France wants to leave the NH90 programme and eleminates the money from the latest defence budget. Later the decision is interpreted as a temporary freeze.
July 1991
The German army is now also involved in the NH90 programme after the approval of an MTWF (military/technical/economic requirements).
9. January 1991
The Italian Government finally signs up for participation in the NH90 programme, though at a reduced share of 26,4 instead of 35 per cent. The procurement numbers are now
- France 210
- Germany: 136
- Italy: 214
- Netherlands: 24
October 1990
The Durch Government has signed an accord for its countries continued participation in the NH90 programme. It only remains for Italy to confirm its paritcipation.
12. September 1990
The German Parliamentary Defence Committee approves the participation in the development phase of the NH90.
May 1990
The German military/technical/economic requirements (MTWF) for a light transort/SAR and marine helicopter are approved by the Luftwaffe and the Navy.
26. April 1990
France and Germany decide to launch development of the NH90 under a joint programme, it is announced by the defence ministers Jean-Pierre Chevenement and Gerhard Stoltenberg. Italy and the Netherlands will also be partners. The needs are defined as
- France: 210 (150 TTH and 60 NFH)
- Germany: 136 (64 TTH and 72 NFH)
- Italy: 214 (150 TTH and 60 NFH)
- Netherlands: 24 (24 NFH)
A MoU between defence ministers leads to predefinition phase and completion of weapons system definition.
1987
A NATO Staff Requirement for NFH and TTH helicopters is approved.
September 1985
A MoU between the defence ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and UK leads to a 14 month feasibility/predefinition study for a new helicopter.
October 1984
The tactical requirements for a shipborne helicopter are approved by the Germany Navy.
1984
A Nato Staff Target for a new multi-role helicopter is approved by the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany.
May 1979
The German Luftwaffe approves a tactical requirement for a new transport helicopter in the 6 ton class.
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Last updated August 5, 1999
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