Two NH90s to delivered France's DGA armament procurement agency

NHI DELIVERS TWO NH90s CAIMAN TO THE FRENCH ARMED FORCES

Eurocopter has announced that it has delivered the second NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and seventh NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) to the French DGA armament procurement agency. The company made the announcement 27 July 2012.

NHI is pleased to announce the delivery of two NH90s helicopters to the French Army Aviation (ALAT) and the French Navy.
The delivery event took place in Marignane, (Eurocopter facility) , where both helicopters were assembled, in the presence of General Olivier de la Motte Commander of the EALAT (French Army Aviation training school), GAMSTAT and governmental authorities.

The French DGA (Délégation Générale de l’Armement) took delivery of this 100th N90 TTH variant. It is the second FOC (Final Operational Capability) standard NH90 TTH “Caiman” delivered by industry to the French Army. This helicopter will be based in Le Cannet des Maures EALAT French Army base where it will be operated by the CFIA (Joint Military Training unit) for training missions.
The French Navy took delivery the same day of its seventh NH90 NFH Caiman which will be based in Hyères Navy base.
“These two deliveries, occuring only nine days after the delivery of an additional NH90 TTH to the German Air force is a clear demonstration of the production capabilities of NHI and its partner companies” declared Xavier Poupardin Delegated Managing Director of NHIndustries.

The French Army ordered 34 NH90 TTH plus 34 options in order to replace its Puma helicopters while the French Navy ordered 27 NH90 NFH to replace its Lynx and Super Frelon Helicopters in Hyères and Lanveoc-Poulmic Naval Air Stations.
As of today, NHI has delivered 118 NH90s to 11 countries.


The French NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) variant is a helicopter of 11 ton class primarily configured to perform tactical transport missions in all environments by day and night. The NH90 TTH flexibility allows its users to perform additional missions such as internal/external load transport, Heliborne Operations, Special Operations, Search and Rescue, Casualties Evacuation and Training missions.

The NH90 TTH is the most modern helicopter of its class available on the market. It features a high level of system integration built around a state of the art Core Avionic System, full glass cockpit with Multifunction Displays, Fly-by-wire controls with 4-axis Automatic Flight Control System. The dedicated Mission System includes among others: Piloting Forward Looking Infrared system, Helmet Mounted Sight and Display, Electronic Warfare System, Tactical Control and Tactical Communication System, Weather Radar, Digital Map Generator and an on-board Monitoring and Diagnostic System. It features a fully composite crashworthy fuselage fitted with a rear ramp which allows the transport of a light tactical vehicle. The two Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 modern engines provide power reserve in all environments. The NH90 helicopter has provision for a number of role equipment to enable mission flexibility and effectiveness coupled with a high level of safety and survivability.

The NH90 NFH is the most recent and most flexible helicopter for naval warfare, it is designed according to precise NATO Staff Requirements, it is equipped with a state of the art weapon system combining on a modern platform several types of sensors with a complete weapon suite.

The NH90 NFH is able to cover AsuW and ASW primary missions in any type of environment and to perform the widest spectrum of missions such as SAR, Amphibious operations , Anti Piracy, Boarding Party and Maritime Surveillance.
The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter program is managed by the consortium NHIndustries, the Company owned by AgustaWestland (32%), Eurocopter (62.5%), and Stork Fokker (5.5%).

The NH90 helicopter programme is the largest ever launched in Europe, with firm orders now reaching 529 units for 19 Armed Forces of 14 Nations: France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Oman, Australia, New-Zealand, Spain and Belgium.


Source: By the Shephard News Team - 31 July 2012

Photo: The French Army Air Corps Eurocopter NH90 TTH Helicopter (Photo by press.eurocopter.com)

(31.07.2012)