The NH 90, a multi-mission helicopter
The NH90 (NATO Helicopter), Caïman is a twin-engine maneuver and assault helicopter (HMA). Its mission is the tactical transport of personnel or equipment. It was designed through cooperation between France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, later joined by Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and finally Belgium after the launch of the first prototype in 2000. It was manufactured by NH Industries (a European consortium comprising Airbus Helicopters, AgustaWestland, and Fokker).
Dedicated to combat, rescue, and transport missions, the NH90 has two hours of autonomy with 12 soldiers equipped with the FELIN standard, which it can drop 240 km (130 nm) from its departure base (range)
Dedicated to combat, rescue, and transport missions, the NH90 has two hours of autonomy with 12 soldiers equipped with the FELIN standard, which it can drop 240 km (130 nm) from its departure base (range)
In addition to its missions of tactical transport of personnel (20 people) and equipment, the helicopter can also be used for the following missions: SAR (Search And Rescue), medical evacuation, airborne command post, and parachuting.
The crew consists of a pilot, a chief pilot, a flight engineer, and an operational hold member.
For the French Army
The helicopter presented at Carcassonne, the NH90 NFH version (called Caïman Marine), mainly operates from warships equipped with flight decks (air defense frigates, multi-mission frigates (FREMM), the nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, projection and command ships), day and night, even in adverse weather conditions, especially during takeoff, thanks to the great maneuverability provided by its fly-by-wire controls. Its Thales European navy radar (ENR), derived from the Ocean Master, allows it to detect targets up to 200 km (108 nm) away over 360°.
Missions include:
– Anti-submarine warfare. The NFH helicopter quickly deploys its FLASH dipping sonar thanks to a hoisting speed of 10 m/s, acoustic buoys, and MU90 or Mark 46 torpedoes. It heads to a patrol area that may have been reported by ship detectors, aircraft carriers, or frigates. The transit flight is at 150 knots for 40 minutes to begin the search at 100 nautical miles (185 km) from its carrier ship, then patrol for 3 hours and return to its carrier in transit flight. The area secured by a patrol provides a 24-hour warning to the carrier frigate before encountering a submarine or enemy surface ship.
Anti-ship warfare by designating targets (ship at sea or fixed coastal target) for an Exocet MM40 Block 3c missile strike beyond the horizon of the carrier ship and up to 97 nautical miles (179 km) away. The Italian version of the NFH deploys the Marte Mk 2/S anti-ship missile. The French Navy did not adopt this option, considering the helicopter a poor platform for Marte missile launches, which would expose it to the attacked ship's anti-aircraft defenses.
– But also: maritime counter-terrorism; airborne command post; transport of 2.5 tons of equipment in the hold or 4 tons by sling, or a small tactical vehicle; combat search and rescue (CSAR); medical evacuation (up to 12 stretchers); troop transport (14 men with their weapons) with parachuting capability; VIP transport.
Dimensions
Length: 19.7 m
Width: 4.6 m
Height: 6.3 m
Rotor diameter: 16.3 m
Minimum weight: 6900 kg
Maximum weight: 10,600 kg
Maximum weight with external load: 11,000 kg
Powerplant: twin-engine RTM 322
Load capacity: 1,600 kg or 13 men in the hold.
Performance
Range: 450 Nm
Autonomy without ferry tanks: 3 hours
Autonomy with ferry tanks: 5 hours
Maximum speed: 300 km/h (186 mph)
Economical speed: 260 km/h (162 mph)
Photo credit-dga-essais-en-vol
