The first Serial NH90 presented at ILA 2004 in Berlin.
A major Achievement for the European Helicopter Industry.
NHIndustries and its partners companies, Eurocopter, Agusta and Stork Fokker are proud to announce that the first serial NH90 helicopter to come off the Eurocopter production line in Germany, is publicly presented today at the ILA Berlin Air Show. The aircraft performed its maiden flight on 4th May, at the Donauwörth Eurocopter facility in Germany. In the expert hands of Flight Test Pilots Herbert Graser, Manfred Kuck and Flight Test Engineer Laurent Palcy, the aircraft designated "TGEA01" flew 2 hours and 5 minutes, thus demonstrating the high degree of proficiency and mastery of the NH90 programme.
The today event comes four years after the official production go-ahead was given at ILA 2000 and is commemorated in a ceremony attended by the German Minister of Defence Dr. Peter Struck, a large number of international high-ranking government and military officials, industry and media representatives.
The TGEA01 is equipped with full glass cockpit, Fly-by-wire controls with Automatic Flight Control, and dual bus Core Avionic System. The dedicated Mission System includes: Forward Looking Infrared, Helmet Mounted Sight and Display, Electronic Warfare System, Tactical Control and Tactical Communication System, Weather Radar, and Digital Map Generator. It features a fully composite crashworthy fuselage fitted with a rear ramp which allows the transport of a light tactical vehicle. The power plant embodies two Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 engines. The TGEA01 will form the fleet of 50 NH90s operated by the German Bundeswehr in the Tactical Transport role.
NH90 is the biggest helicopter programme ever launched in Europe, with firm orders for presently 325 units and options for a further 86 signed by France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Greece.
Thanks to its inherent multi-mission and all weather/day and night capability, the NH90 will greatly enhance the interoperability of the European armed forces in NATO and United Nations missions, contributing to the standardization of equipment and to the rationalization of costs, training and logistics.
