The NH90 program achieved several important milestones
The first one is the delivery of the first NH90 NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) to Belgium. This event took place on August 1st in Donauworth (Eurocopter Facility). This highly capable helicopter, fully operational, will perform a wide spectrum of maritime missions such as Search and Rescue, surveillance, transport, from a shore base or a ship.
The NH90 NFH will replace the ageing Sea Kings Helicopters within the Belgian Armed Forces.
With this Delivery, Belgium becomes the 5th country to admit the NH90 NFH into service, joining France, Italy, The Netherlands and Norway.
Belgium will start the training activities of flight and ground crews in order to be operational in 2014.
Belgium ordered Four NH90 TTH and Four NH90 NFH.
This important milestone follows the achievement on july 25th of the “Declaration of Compliance (DoC) for the Italian NFH in Step B configuration.
As of today NHI and its partner companies delivered 156 NH90s.
The NH90 is the optimal choice for modern operations thanks to its large full composite airframe, its excellent power to weight ratio; and its wide range of rôle equipment. It features a redundant Fly-by-Wire flight control system for reduced Pilot’s workload and enhanced flight characteristics.
The NH90 is proposed in two main variants, one dedicated to naval operations, the NH90NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) and a Tactical Transport Variant for land based operations. As of today, 156 helicopters have been delivered in Naval and Tactical transport variants. They are in service in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece, Oman, Australia and New Zealand.
The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter program is managed by the consortium NHIndustries, the Company owned by AgustaWestland SpA (32%), Eurocopter (62.5%), and Stork Fokker (5.5%).
