28 Facts About NHI NH90

The NH90 was developed and is manufactured by NHIndustries, a collaborative company owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker Aerostructures.

NHI NH90 is the first production helicopter to feature entirely fly-by-wire flight controls.

Since its introduction into service, the NHI NH90 has suffered several technical issues, which have delayed active deployment of the type by some operators.

NHI NH90 was developed into two main variants: the Tactical Transport Helicopter and the NATO Frigate Helicopter .

Many of the operators have requested specific configurations to their own helicopter fleets, thus each country's NHI NH90 is effectively customized to the end-user's requirements.

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NHI NH90 was initially intended to be produced at three exporting final assembly lines : Cascina Costa in Italy for AgustaWestland, Marignane in France and Donauworth in Germany for Airbus Helicopters.

In 2015, the rate of NHI NH90 production declined, reportedly due to countries choosing to delay their orders and some contracts having been fulfilled; in 2016, the Finnish final assembly line became the first to close with its orders completed.

In March 2014, it was announced that a Dutch NHI NH90 had suffered higher than expected fuselage wear and corrosion following an extended deployment at sea; analysis by the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory attributed the corrosion to design and assembly flaws.

NHI NH90 was designed to fulfill a NATO staff requirement for a multi-role, medium-sized military helicopter for both land and maritime operations.

One key innovation of the rotorcraft is the four-channel fly-by-wire control system employed; the NHI NH90 is the first helicopter in the world to be equipped with full fly-by-wire flight controls.

NHI NH90 can be equipped with various mission-specific systems, including modular armor plating around the cabin area for undertaking high-risk missions and an ice protection system for operations within cold climates.

In 2015, the NHI NH90 became the first helicopter to receive a laser-based airborne collision avoidance system.

NHI NH90 Industries sent personnel to Australia to investigate the failure.

In September 2012, NHI performed the first flight of the Belgium's Tactical Transport Helicopter, which is broadly similar to the French NH90 “Caiman” version.

On 23 October 2013, Belgium's first NHI NH90 TTH entered service, the last was delivered on 13 November 2014.

In December 2010, the NHI NH90 formally achieved in-service status with the French Navy, being initially used to perform search and rescue and maritime counter-terrorism operations.

The French Navy formally cleared the type to perform anti-surface warfare duties in 2012, clearance to perform anti-submarine warfare missions followed in 2013, allowing the NHI NH90 to take over the missions previously performed by the Navy's Westland Lynx and Aerospatiale Super Frelon helicopter fleets.

In December 2015, it was announced that production of the German Navy's variant of the NHI NH90 NFH, named Sea Lion, had formally commenced; a refit of the German Army's TTH variant was underway at the same time.

On 26 November 2019, the German Navy stated that the NHI NH90 is not going operational at this time due to deficiencies in technical documentation not allowing safe operations.

On 23 June 2011, the navy received its first NHI NH90, which was delivered to an interim MOC standard, capable of performing training, search and rescue, and utility operations; anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities were not initially available until aircraft are retrofitted to a FOC standard.

Enzo Stefanini stated that "…in Afghan conditions, the NHI NH90 is delivering performance 15 percent above what was envisaged".

In December 2014, NHI NH90 deliveries restarted after the Dutch government came to an agreement with the manufacturer, under which modifications and necessary repairs against corrosion would be made at the manufacturer's cost; 75 of the 100 shortcomings were reported as having been solved.

On 19 July 2020, a Royal Netherlands Navy NHI NH90 helicopter crashed off the coast of Aruba, killing two crew members and injuring two passengers.

In February 2013, the first phase of the RNZAF's operational evaluation of the NHI NH90 was completed, clearing the type to begin operational duties.

February 2018 report by the Norwegian Armed Forces found that its fleet of NHI NH90 helicopters offer insufficient flight hours for the intended roles.

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In February 2022 the Norwegian Minister of Defense again threatened to terminate the NH90 contract due to great concerns regarding new delays and NHI not meeting contractual obligations, considering sourcing alternative helicopters.

In June 2022 the Norwegian Minister of Defense announced the Norwegian Defence Material Agency was given the task to terminate the NH90 contract due to NHI not meeting contractual obligations, and announced that the NH90 is taken out of operation with immediate effect.

On 23 June 2010, the first two NHI NH90 TTHs were delivered to the RAFO at Musana Air Base.