NHIndustries (NHI, Static C2) is here highlighting its local customer, the French army’s light aviation division (Alat). An Alat NH90TTH is part of the daily flying display and a flight crew that is just back from operations in Mali is ready to talk to visitors.
As of June 15, NHI had delivered more than 245 examples of its multi-mission helicopter to 13 customers. Another 250 or so aircraft are in the backlog–about five years of production at the current rate. The fleet has logged a total of 80,000 flight hours.
Discussions with Qatar are in the final phase, for a combination of 22 copies of the TTH (tactical transport) and NFH (naval) versions. Germany is about to ink a contract for an additional 18 NH90NFHs. Discussions are at preliminary stages with several other countries. NHI is hoping to sell another six NH90TTHs to the Alat, to replace old Pumas and fulfill special-operations needs.
Mali (operation Serval) is the Alat’s first operational use of the NH90TTH. As of late May, four Alat NH90s were planned to be flying there this week. The Alat’s 15th NH90TTH is to be delivered here during the show.
Meanwhile, the French Navy is using an NH90NFH from the Chevalier Paul frigate that is part of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier’s battle group. Its MU90 torpedo was declared operational in March, giving the aircraft full capability in antisubmarine warfare. The French Navy’s NH90 can therefore detect and locate a submarine and send the information to a frigate via data link, leading to the firing of a torpedo.
In another use, the French Navy is operating the type for search and rescue from its Lanvéoc-Poulmic base in Brittany, having saved 150 since 2011, according to the manufacturer. Last December, the Italian Navy involved one SH90 (the country’s designation of the NH90NFH) in a major rescue effort for the Norman Atlantic ferry, which was burning in the Adriatic Sea. An Australian MRH90 (the country’s designation of the NH90) joined the relief effort in Vanuatu in March to repair damage in the wake of the devastating tropical cyclone Pam.
In the works at NHI are external fuel tanks, new optronics and fast-rope equipment.