Caiman helicopter undergoes deck landing trials
DCNS has announced that the Caiman Marine (HN90) heavy lift helicopter that recently entered service with the French Navy has undergone a series of deck landing trials onboard FREMM Aquitaine. This follows the first trials undertaken in January to qualify the FREMM Aquitaine flight deck for a Lynx five-tonne class helicopter.
Carried out by DCNS along with the French Navy and the French defence procurement agency (DGA), the latest trials were organised in order to test the landings of a Caiman Marine ten-tonne class helicopter on board the same frigate. As in the previous trials with the Lynx, French Navy pilots appreciated the absence of turbulence above the flight deck in all landing positions.
The deck landing trials, conducted in daylight and at night, are part of the procedures required to qualify the FREMM frigates for deployment of 10-tonne class helicopters. In addition, the campaign was an opportunity to test the onboard maintenance and stowage facilities with a Caiman helicopter.
The Caiman Marine (NH90) is one of the flagships of Europe's helicopter industry. It is designed for all types of naval and maritime missions (anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-terrorism operations at sea) and will be deployed by French Navy vessels.
The FREMM Aquitaine frigate will leave port again in a few days for combat system trials. The vessel is scheduled for delivery to the French Navy in the third quarter of 2012.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
-
![KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters]()
KAI and Airbus Helicopters ink a supply contract for LAH and KUH helicopters
Airbus Helicopters and KAI have agreed a contract covering the supply of helicopter components for the latter over the next decade.
-
![Dart Aerospace to supply high-lift heliporter to US Navy]()
Dart Aerospace to supply high-lift heliporter to US Navy
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is has been awarded an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the US DoD to provide a high-lift heliporter designed and manufactured by Dart Aerospace to the USN.
