Country of origin |
France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands |
Entered service |
2000 |
Crew |
2 - 4 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
19.56 m |
Main rotor diameter |
16.3
m |
Height |
5.44
m |
Weight (empty) |
5.4 - 6.4 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
10 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
2 x RTM 322-01/9 turboshaft engines |
Engine power |
2 x 2 100 shp |
Maximum cruising speed |
298 km/h |
Ferry |
1 204 km |
Payload |
Passengers |
20 troops |
Payload capacity (internal) |
2 000 kg |
Payload capacity (external) |
? |
Armament (NFH) |
Missiles |
Marte Mk.2/S anti-ship missiles |
Torpedoes |
homing torpedoes |
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In 1985 five
European nations signed a memorandum of understanding covering a
NATO helicopter for the 90s, or NH 90. The UK dropped out of the
programme in 1987 in favor to the
EH
101, leaving France, Germany, Italy and the
Netherlands in the project by means of NH Industries. This was
established in France in 1992 to control a collaborative programme
involving Eurocopter France (with NFT [Norway] as a risk-sharing
partner from 1994), Agusta, Eurocopter Deutschland and Fokker.
Stated requirements were 220 helicopters for France, 214 for Italy,
272 for Germany and 20 for the Netherlands, and it was anticipated
that a first flight in 1995 would pave the way for deliveries from
1999.
The two initial versions are the NH 90 NFH (NATO Frigate
Helicopter) for the autonomous anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship roles, and the NH 90 TTH
(Tactical Transport Helicopter) for assault transport, rescue,
electronic warfare
and VIP transport duties.
The NFH variants is being developed under
Agusta leadership and its advanced mission suite includes a 360°
search radar, dipping sonar, forward-looking infra-red, magnetic
anomaly detector, and electronic surveillance measures and
electronic counter measures systems.
The TTH variant is being developed under Eurocopter Deutschland
leadership, with a cabin for 20 troops or one 2 000 kg
vehicle. It can carry area-suppression and self-defense weapons. A
forward-looking infra-red is standard on the TTH to provide a night and adverse-weather
nap of the earth flight capability, and both models are controlled via a
quadruplex fly-by-wire control system.
Two engine types are
available to increase the NH 90's export potential. The first of
five flying and one ground-test prototypes was the French-assembler
PT 1 that first flew on 18 December 1995 with RTM 322 engines. The
partner nations have now identified home requirements for 642 NH
90s, with 244 helicopters being delivered since March 2000.
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