Airbus Helicopters delivers 500th NH90

On 17 March 2023, Airbus Helicopters delivered the 500th NH90 medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter. The NH90, a model TTH with serial 1486 and coded ECF, has been handed over to the Aviation légère de l’armée de Terre (ALAT, French Army Aviation).

The NH90 was developed and is manufactured by NHIndustries, a collaborative company owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) and Fokker Aerostructures. The first prototype conducted its maiden flight in December 1995 and the first three serial production NH90s were delivered to the Heeresflieger (HEER, German Army) in December 2006.

The NH90 was developed into two main variants: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). These two main variants share about 75% commonality with each other. The helicopter was initially intended to be produced at three exporting final assembly lines (FAL): Cascina Costa in Italy for AgustaWestland (currently known as Leonardo), Marignane in France and Donauwörth in Germany for Airbus Helicopters. The Nordic and Australian contracts stipulated production locally (the Nordic ones at Patria in Finland and the Australian ones in Brisbane). Spain has a final assembly line at Albacete.

The main users of the helicopter are France, Germany, Italy and Spain. However, due to the high costs per flight hour, problems with the availability and issues with spares and configuration management, at least three countries have decided that the NH90 is definitely not able to meet the needs of the Armed Forces.

Norway already has withdrawn the NH90 before the final one was delivered, Sweden has outlined their plans on the replacement of the type and Australia will retire the MRH90 Taipan in the near future.

Photo by Airbus Helicopters