NHIndustries

Last updated
NHIndustries
Company type SAS
Industry Aerospace
Founded1992
Headquarters Aix-en-Provence
France
Products Helicopters
Website www.NHIndustries.com

NHIndustries (NHI) is a helicopter manufacturing company specifically established to be NATO Helicopter Management Agency's prime contractor for the design and development, industrialisation, production and logistic support of the NHIndustries NH90 series of helicopters.

Contents

Established in 1992, NHIndustries was formed as a partnership between Eurocopter of France and Germany (now Airbus Helicopters), Agusta of Italy (now Leonardo) and Stork Fokker Aerospace of the Netherlands (now Fokker Aerostructures).

The company is owned by:

   Airbus Helicopters (62.5%)
   Leonardo S.p.A. (32%)

History

German Army NH90 at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2016 78+31 German Army NHIndustries NH90 TTH ILA Berlin 2016 03.jpg
German Army NH90 at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2016

The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter developed in response to NATO requirements calling for a battlefield helicopter which would also be capable of being operated in naval environments. Both development and manufacture of the rotorcraft has been principally handled by NHIndustries, a collaborative company. It is presently owned by Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) and Fokker Aerostructures.

In 1985, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom teamed to develop a NATO battlefield transport and anti-ship/anti-submarine helicopter for the 1990s. The United Kingdom left the team in 1987. [1] On 1 September 1992, NH Industries signed an NH90 design-and-development contract with NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency). [2] This agency represented the four participating nations: France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Portugal later joined the agency in June 2001.

Design work on the helicopter started in 1993. [3] The first prototype, PT1, made the type's first flight on 18 December 1995. [1] [3] The second prototype, PT2, first flew on 19 March 1997 and the third prototype, PT3, on 27 November 1998. [3] On 12 December 2002, PT3 became the first helicopter to fly exclusively with fly-by-wire controls following the removal of mechanical back-up controls. [4]

The NH90 was developed into two main variants: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). [1] These two main variants share about 75% commonality with each other. [5] Many of the operators have requested specific configurations to their own helicopter fleets, thus each nation's NH90 is effectively customized to the end-user's requirements. During the development phase of the programme in the 1990s, both technical and funding problems were experienced. [6] In June 2000, the partner nations placed a large production order for the type, valued at US$8.6 billion, for a total of 366 helicopters. [1] [7] Additional orders have since followed from customers in Europe, Asia, and Australia. By April 2013, a total of 529 NH90s of all variants were on order by various customers. [8]

The NH90 was initially intended to be produced at three exporting final assembly lines (FAL); Cascina Costa in Italy for AgustaWestland, 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. [9] [10] The Marignane assembly line can reportedly complete up to 22 NH90s per year. [5]

The production responsibilities were divided amongst the major sections/components amongst each of the shareholding companies:

Once fabricated, items are shipped from these companies to the six final assembly facilities, at Marignane, France; Tessera, Italy; Donauwörth, Germany; Halli, Finland; and Brisbane, Australia. [11]

During 2007, the NH90 first entered operational service with the German Army. During April 2010, the Royal Netherlands Navy was the first customer to receive the navalised NH90 NFH variant. [12] In order to speed up delivery and reduce the complexity of manufacturing a large number of variants, NH Industries proposed the adoption of a simplified baseline airframe which could be configured to the individual customer's requirements. [13] Between 2004 and 2016, the production lead times for the NH90 had reduced from 18 months to 7.5 months. [14] During 2014, worldwide production of the NH90 peaked at 53 helicopters. [14] By January 2017, the NH90 had logged 127,000 flight hours in the armed forces of thirteen nations. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

Airbus Helicopters SAS is the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus. It is the largest in the industry in terms of revenues and turbine helicopter deliveries. Its head office is located at Marseille Provence Airport in Marignane, France, near Marseille. The main facilities of Airbus Helicopters are at its headquarters in Marignane, France, and in Donauwörth, Germany, with additional production plants in Canada, Brazil (Helibras), Australia, Spain, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. The company, originally named Eurocopter, was rebranded Airbus Helicopters on 2 January 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DASA</span> 1989–2000 German aerospace manufacturer

DASA was a German aerospace manufacturer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter Tiger</span> European attack helicopter

The Eurocopter Tiger is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003. It is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters, which arose from the merger of Aérospatiale's and DASA's respective helicopter divisions. Airbus Helicopters designates it as the EC665. In France and Spain, the Tiger is known as the Tigre, while in Germany and Australia it is referred to as the Tiger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agusta</span> Italian helicopter manufacturer (1923-2000)

Agusta was an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It was based in Samarate, Northern Italy. The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first airplane in 1907. The MV Agusta motorcycle manufacturer began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company at the end of the Second World War, as a means to save the jobs of employees of the Agusta firm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW109</span> Turbine helicopter by Leonardo

The AgustaWestland AW109, originally the Agusta A109, is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter designed and initially produced by the Italian rotorcraft manufacturer Agusta. It was the first all-Italian helicopter to be mass-produced. Its production has been continued by Agusta's successor companies, presently Leonardo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NHIndustries NH90</span> Family of military helicopters

The NHIndustries NH90 is a European medium-sized, twin-engine, multirole military helicopter. It was the first production helicopter to feature entirely fly-by-wire flight controls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agusta A129 Mangusta</span> Family of attack helicopters by Agusta, later AgustaWestland

The Agusta A129 Mangusta is an attack helicopter originally designed and produced by Italian company Agusta. It is the first attack helicopter to be designed and produced wholly in Europe. It has continued to be developed by AgustaWestland, the successor company to Agusta. It has been exclusively operated by the Italian Army, which introduced the type to service during 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safran Helicopter Engines</span> French company producing gasturbine turbo shaft engines

Safran Helicopter Engines, previously known as Turbomeca, is a French manufacturer of low- and medium-power gas turbine turboshaft engines for helicopters. The company also produces gas turbine engines for aircraft and missiles, as well as turbines for land, industrial and marine applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322</span> 1980s British/French turboshaft engine

The Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 is a turboshaft engine currently produced by Safran Helicopter Engines. The RTM322 was originally conceived and manufactured by Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Limited, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Turbomeca. The engine was designed to suit a wide range of military and commercial helicopter designs. The RTM322 can also be employed in maritime and industrial applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW149</span>

The AgustaWestland AW149 is a medium-lift multi-role military helicopter developed by AgustaWestland, now Leonardo, launched in 2006. On 20 June 2011 AgustaWestland announced the AW189, a civilian development of the AW149, for service in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC155</span>

The Airbus Helicopters H155 is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from its Dauphin family for civil aviation use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 13 passengers along with 1 or 2 crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for passenger transport, offshore support, VIP corporate transport and casualty transport duties. In 2015, the EC155 was formally renamed to the H155, in line with Eurocopter's corporate rebranding as Airbus Helicopters. It was succeeded in the product line by the Airbus Helicopters H160.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma</span>

The Airbus Helicopters H225 is a long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter as the next generation of the civilian Super Puma family. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 24 passengers along with two crew and a cabin attendant, dependent on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for offshore support and VIP passenger transport duties, as well as public service missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC725</span>

The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, now called Airbus Helicopters H225M, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed from the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar for military use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 28 seated troops along with two crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue duties, and is similar to the civilian EC225 Super Puma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airbus Helicopters H175</span> Medium utility helicopter

The Airbus Helicopters H175 is a 7-ton class super-medium utility helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. In China, the H175 is produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) as the Avicopter AC352. Originally launched as the Eurocopter EC175 and the Harbin Z-15, it has been referred to as being a 'super-medium' helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW189</span> Twin-engined, medium-lift helicopter manufactured by Leonardo

The AgustaWestland AW189 is a twin-engined, super-medium-lift helicopter manufactured by Leonardo S.p.A. It is derived from the AW149, and shares similarities with the AW139 and AW169.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW169</span> Twin-engine light utility helicopter

The AgustaWestland AW169 is a twin-engine, 10-seat, 4.8t helicopter developed and manufactured by the helicopter division of Leonardo. It was designed to share similarities with the larger AgustaWestland AW139 and AgustaWestland AW189.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airbus Helicopters H160</span> Type of aircraft

The Airbus Helicopters H160 is a medium utility helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters. Formally launched at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida on 3 March 2015, it is intended to replace the AS365 and EC155 models in the firm's lineup. In June 2015, the first test flight took place. It received its EASA type certification in July 2020, and first deliveries were in December 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nordic Standard Helicopter Program</span>

Nordic Standard Helicopter Program (NHSP) was an international helicopter procurement program in the late 1990s and early 2000s to choose a standard helicopter for Norway, Sweden, Finland, and initially Denmark. In 1999, the four countries issued a requirement for a helicopter in the 9-15 ton range, which lead to the NH90 being selected in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MRH-90 Taipan</span> Australian military helicopter

The MRH-90 Taipan was a version of the NHI Industries NH90 multirole helicopter in service with the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy in the early 21st century. It entered service in December 2007, and was withdrawn from service in 2022 by the Navy and in 2023 by the Army. Most of the aircraft were assembled in Australia. The fleet was originally scheduled for retirement in 2037. After the aircraft's withdrawal, they were offered for sale then disassembled for parts which is ongoing as of 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Frawley, Gerald. "NHIndustries NH 90". The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003. Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN   1-875671-55-2.
  2. "NAHEMA". Nato. January 19, 2007. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "NH90 Helicopter – 3rd Prototype in Flight" (Press release). Eurocopter. November 27, 1998. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  4. MacKenzie, Christina. "NH90 prototype takes off with fly-by-wire controls." Archived 2014-12-20 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 5 January 2004. p. 15.
  5. 1 2 Hoyle, Craig. "In Focus: NH90 Caiman cuts teeth with French navy." Archived 2014-12-09 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 19 June 2013.
  6. "Aircraft profile: NH Industries NH90". Flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. "Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands Place $8.6 Billion Order for NH-90". Defense Daily. 9 June 2000. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  8. Tran, Pierre (8 April 2013). "Eurocopter: Dropping NH90 Order Would Hurt France, Firm". Defense News. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013.
  9. "News Breaks", Aviation Week & Space Technology , 1 January 2007.
  10. "Spain performs its maiden flight of NH 90". Eurocopter. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  11. "The Company". NH Industries. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  12. "First Dutch NH90 NFH delivered". Australian Aviation. Archived from the original on 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  13. Perry, Dominic. "NH Industries plans 'simplified' NH90 for future customers." Archived 17 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 25 June 2014.
  14. 1 2 Lert, Frédéric and Charles Forrester. "NH90 production winds down globally." Archived 2016-01-20 at the Wayback Machine IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, 17 January 2016.
  15. "Italian Army UH-90 Helicopters Achieve 9,000 Flying Hours in Afghanistan". NHIndustries. 16 January 2017. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2017.