NH90 helicopter Block 1 upgrade launched
The planned upgrade will attempt to keep NH90s relevant for the next 15 years. (Photo: Airbus)
Developed as a multinational programme, the European NH90 was designed to meet NATO requirements for multirole capability from a common helicopter.
A €600-million (US$641-million) upgrade of Belgian, German, Dutch and Italian NH90s helicopters has been given the go ahead with the signing of a contact between NH Industries (NHI) and the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), the latter acting for the countries.
The contract launches the development and qualification of the NH90 Block 1 upgrade (also known as Software Release 3) and constitutes a major upgrade in terms of capabilities for both the TTH (transport) and NFH (naval) variants of the NH90 combat helicopter.
The first phase includes an upgrade of the NH90 communication suite and the integration of Data Link 22 allowing beyond line-of-sight and IFF Mod 5 Level 2 (the latest version of the device used to identify and track military aircraft) will also be integrated.
Related Articles
Indra to help develop third NH90 sim for Spain
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
German airmobile forces to get new NH90 helicopter crew trainer
Other upgrades will be available to the operators and include the integration of a new generation electro optical system, a new dipping sonar and the integration of the MK 54 torpedo and the Marte ER anti-ship missile. The NH90 Block 1 will be able to navigate with a civil grade global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and flight management system.
The second phase of the programme is being finalised but will consist of the deployment of the Block 1 configuration improvements on approximately 200 NH90s, both NFH and TTH, in total.
Axel Aloccio, president of NHI and head of NH90 programme at Airbus Helicopters, said the upgrade would help the platform meet future demands.
“We have a clear plan to extend the life span of the NH90 up to 50 years and the Block 1 programme will cover the next 10 to fifteen years,” Aloccio said. “Beyond that horizon, we are also planning the Block 2 upgrade that will define the future evolutions of the platform.”
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet]()
US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet
As the T-7A programme recovers from delays and rising costs, the USAF is signalling new opportunities in anti-jamming GPS, collision avoidance, advanced flight controls and pilot interface improvements.
-
![“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare]()
“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare
In Conversation… Armor Harris, Senior Vice President for Aircraft at Shield AI, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about why cost-effective autonomous aircraft are a game-changer for air forces worldwide, and the key roles played by VTOL and AI as enabling technologies.
-
![NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy]()
NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy
The joint acquisition of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft by 11 allies marks the end of NATO’s more than four-decade reliance on a US-built airborne early warning platform.
-
![NATO expands high-altitude intelligence capability with MQ-4C Triton purchase]()
NATO expands high-altitude intelligence capability with MQ-4C Triton purchase
The proposed drone acquisition is intended to form part of a distributed structure of surveillance capabilities, complementing systems such as the RQ-4D Global Hawks already acquired by NATO.
