NH90: Standard 2 for the French Navy and the first delivery to Belgium

Two events marked on 21 December, the NH90. Firstly, the delivery of the first of Belgium 8 helicopters ordered in NH Industries consortium (62.5% owned by Eurocopter, 32% and 5.5% AugustaWestland Fokker Aerostructures) for its armed forces. This device version TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter), as will the next three Belgian copies. The four following machines will be NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopters) navalized version of the NH90, which will be shipped on the Belgian frigate Leopold 1st and Louise Marie, replacing the Alouette III in service.

December 21 always, the Directorate General of Armaments took delivery, also at Eurocopter's Marignane, 1st Marine Cayman, French name of the naval version of the NH90, Standard 2 (or Step B as saying the industry). After a short period of evaluation conducted at the Centre for practical experiments and receipt of naval aviation (CEPA/10S), the unit will strengthen the fleet of 7 Cayman already in service in the 31F and 33F fleet, based in Hyères (Var) and Lanvéoc-Poulmic (Finistère). These machines delivered from 2011 to standard 1 (Step A), will be gradually upgraded to the latest between 2014 and 2017.

Tamper, MU90 and external tanks

The standard Cayman Marine introduced two of the self-protection system of the helicopter, including the electromagnetic and infrared decoys. It also opens up the ability to fire the torpedo anti-submarine MU90, expected in 2013, while improving systems of previous standard. The new version will, in addition, the carriage of external fuel tanks to increase the autonomy of the helicopter. The latter may have two arms on each side of the cell, each being able to carry fuel container or a torpedo (mixing possible with two containers, a container and a torpedo or two torpedoes). Eventually, the Cayman French, like Italian NH90 with Marte Mk2 / S, will also implement one or two missile (s) antiship light (s).

First ASM and ASF capabilities of standard 1

Without waiting for the standard 2, Navy, following the experiments conducted by the CEPA/10S opened mid-November ability to fight above the surface (ASF) for the standard Cayman 1. And always on the first standard, a first capacitor anti-submarine warfare (ASW) should be available by February.

Deployed from bases on the coast or frigates types Horizon and FREMM, the Cayman Marine may, in the field of ASW, implement a FLASH dipping sonar, sonobuoys and MU90 torpedoes. Apart from the fight above the surface, these devices are also used for rescue missions and transport operations. Of the 27 Cayman ordered for the French Navy and delivered by 2021, 13 will be equipped with a rear ramp (the first 7) ​​allowing rapid boarding of troops or equipment with a carrying capacity of approximately 16 passengers.