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Aircraft And Military Development & Applications

The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter. It was developed in response to NATO requirements for a battlefield helicopter which would also be capable of being operated in naval environments. The NH90 was developed and is manufactured by NHIndustries, a collaborative company, which is owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker Aerostructures. The first prototype conducted its maiden flight in December 1995; the type first entered operational service in 2007. As of January 2017, the NH90 has logged 127,000 flight hours in the armed forces of thirteen nations.

Maximum speed: 300 km/h (186.41 mph) Range: 610.19 mi Maiden flight: 18 Dec 1995 Length: 64.17 ft Wingspan: 53.51 ft Passengers: 20

The NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) is a multi-role military transport helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries, a consortium owned by AgustaWestland (32%), Airbus Helicopters (62.5%), and Stork Fokker (5.5%).

The helicopter can be deployed in wide range of missions such as troop transport, search-and-rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), and special operations, including counter terrorism, electronic warfare, airborne command post, VIP transport and utility support such as disaster relief. It can transport up to 20 fully equipped troops.

The NH90 helicopter programme is managed by the NAHEMA (Nato Helicopter Management Agency) and NHIndustries. NHIndustries also produces NFH, which is a naval version of the NH90.Firm orders have been placed for the TTH by Australia (46), France (74), Germany (122), Italy (70), Sweden (18), Finland (20), Greece (20), Spain (45), Belgium (four), New Zealand (eight plus one for spares), Oman (20) and Norway (14).

In July 2006, New Zealand placed an order for nine NH90 TTH helicopters. The first two NH90 TTH helicopters were delivered to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) in December 2011. The remaining helicopter deliveries were concluded by late 2013. The Spanish MoD placed an order for 45 NH90 TTH helicopters in December 2006.
In 2007, France placed an order for 34 TTH helicopters plus 34 options to replace its Puma HYPERLINK "http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/air_support/"helicopters in the ALAT (French Army Aviation). The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) exercised the options for a batch of 12 and 22 NH90 helicopters in November 2007 and December 2009, respectively. The first helicopter was delivered in January 2012.

In June 2007, Belgium signed a contract with NAHEMA for ten NH90 helicopters, including four TTH, four NFH, and two optional TTH aircraft. The first Belgian NH90 TTH completed its maiden flight in September 2012.
In January 2016, the French DGA ordered an additional six helicopters, bringing the total firm orders to 74 helicopters. Deliveries are scheduled to conclude by 2019.

The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) entered a contract with NHIndustries for participation in the sustainment phase of the helicopter.

The Spanish Army received the first two NH90 helicopters from the Airbus Helicopters in September 2016.The TTH incorporates a low-weight composite airframe. Its strengthened structure increases the fatigue life and can withstand corrosion and battlefield damage. The helicopter features a fully composite crash-worthy fuselage. The fuselage is provided with a rear ramp to enable the loading of a light tactical vehicle.

The composite rotor blades are designed to enhance damage tolerance and component life while delivering improved aerodynamic performance. The TTH version is specially configured to meet the requirements of utility-based operations in all environments by day and night. The modular cabin design allows the operators to perform modifications according to their specific missions and roles.

The helicopter has a length of 19.56m (rotors turning), width of 4.62m and a height of 5.2m. It can transport up to 20 troops or more than 2,500kg of cargo.

General characteristics
Crew: 2 pilots (and possible sensor operator on NFH)
Capacity: 20 seated troops; or 12 medevac stretchers; or 2 NATO pallets; or 4,200 kg (9,260 lb) external slung load
Length: 16.13 m (52 ft 11 in)
Rotor diameter: 16.30 m (53 ft 6 in)
Height: 5.23 m (17 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 6,400 kg (14,100 lb)
Useful load: 4,200 kg (9,260 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 10,600 kg (23,370 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 turboshaft, 1,662 kW (2,230 shp) or 2 × General Electric T700-T6E turboshaft, 1,577 kW (2,115 shp) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 300 km/h (162 knots, 186 mph)
Range: 800 km (497 mi) TTH
1,000 km (621 mi) NFH
Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 8 m/s (1,574 ft/m)

Armament
Guns: 2x door gun
Missiles: anti-submarine and/or air to surface missiles (NFH version)

Role: Medium utility military helicopter
National origin: Multinational
Manufacturer: NHIndustries
First flight: 18 December 1995
Introduction: 2007
Status: In service
Primary users: German Army
                          French Army
                          Italian Army
                          Australian Defence Force
Produced: 1995-present
Number built: 300 as of December 2016
Unit cost: €32.5 million (~US$42m) (FY13) TTH
                 €36.4m (~US$50m) (FY13) NFH support
                 €43.3m (~US$59m) (FY13) NFH attack