RNLN takes delivery of NH90 NFH MPAS
The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) has taken delivery of a Mission Planning & Analysis System (MPAS) in the Final Operative Configuration for its fleet of NH90 NFH medium twin naval helicopters.
AgustaWestland delivered the MPAS with the aim of supporting new aircraft functionalities and implementing enhancements based on operational feedback from more than one year of RNLN in service experience. The first MPAS was released into service in 2011.
Acceptance Tests and Operational Verifications have been successfully completed on the system at the AgustaWestland Helicopter Support Systems facility in Sesto Calende and then at the De Kooy Naval Base in the Netherlands.
The RNLN MPAS is based on the AgustaWestland designed Skyflight Planning System, a multi-helicopter flight and mission planning solution core to all variants of AgustaWestland’s mission planning stations. The delivered final configuration is now fully supporting the RNLN’s operations by providing the users with the means for complex mission planning including sonic, auto-protection and surveillance systems as well as a complete aircraft data upload/download capability and post mission analysis.
Daniele Romiti, CEO, AgustaWestland, said: ‘This achievement demonstrates our commitment to offering the market customised solutions to meet the needs and expectations of our customers. This advanced mission planning system helps crews maximise operational effectiveness, so we are pleased to deliver this advanced solution to the Royal Netherlands Navy.’
Sjaak Snoeren, program manager mission planning & analysis system NH90 helicopter, RNLN, added: ‘Many thanks to everyone involved who made this MPAS grow to a very mature level and unique in its kind. This is also the start of the operational usage of Skyflight under the umbrella of Customer Logistic Support (CLS). Let’s continue the outstanding working relationship we have established.’
The Royal Netherlands Navy has ordered a total of 20 NH90 NFHs and was the first customer to receive the NFH variant aircraft in April 2010.
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