The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has ordered six additional NH90 helicopters in Tactical Troop Transport (TTH) configuration, bringing the total amount of NH90 TTHs on order for the French Army Aviation to 74.
«The French armed forces have deployed the NH90 operationally in Mali where its outstanding endurance, versatility and manoeuvrability have been greatly appreciated», said Guillaume Faury, President and CEO of Airbus Helicopters. «This additional order for six NH90s, to be delivered in 2017-2019, confirms the essential role that new-generation multirole helicopters play in modern operations», he added.
Combat-proven since 2010, the NH90 TTH has been successfully deployed by several countries in different theatres of operation. With a wide modular cabin, large sliding doors on each side and a rear ramp, the NH90 can be rapidly configured for such missions as troop transport with a 20-seat configuration, light vehicle transport, casualty evacuation with 12 stretchers, cargo airlift with standard NATO pallets, armed tactical transport, as well as combat search and rescue (SAR). An extensive list of role-tailored equipment allows the NH90 to fit operators’ mission needs.
The NH90’s 4-axis autopilot and fly-by-wire controls contribute to safety and maximum flight performance in severe operating conditions. The NH90 is the first serial helicopter in the world to be equipped with fly-by-wire technologies, significantly reducing pilot workload and allowing for this state-of-the-art helicopter to be piloted with ease.
To date, around 270 NH90 have been delivered to 13 countries and have logged nearly 100,000 flight hours, confirming the success of this helicopter on the export market.
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
| Overall dimensions (rotors turning) | |
| Length | 64.18 feet/19.56 m |
| Width | 53.48 feet/16.30 m |
| Height | 17.42 feet/5.31 m |
| Weights | |
| Maximum Gross Weight | 23,369 lbs/10,600 kg |
| Alternate Gross Weight | 24,250 lbs/11,000 kg |
| Empty Weight | 14,109 lbs/6,400 kg |
| Useful Load | 9,260 lbs/4,200 kg |
| Cargo Capacity | |
| Cargo Hook | 8,818 lbs/4,000 kg |
| Single or dual Rescue Hoist | 595 lbs/270 kg |
| Rescue Hoist on ground | 880 lbs/400 kg |
| Fuel Capacity | |
| 7-Cell Internal System | 4,486 lbs/2,035 kg |
| Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tanks (each) | 882 lbs/400 kg |
| External Auxiliary Fuel Tanks (each) | 644 lbs/292 kg or 1,102 lbs/500 kg |
| Internal Dimensions | |
| Width | 6.56 feet/2.00 m |
| Length | 15.75 feet/4.80 m |
| Height | 5.18 feet/1.58 m |
| Volume | 536.78 feet³/15.20 m³ |
| Sliding doors opening | 5.25 × 4.92 feet/1.60 × 1.50 m |
| Rear ramp opening | 5.84 × 5.18 feet/1.78 × 1.58 m |
| NH90 General Performance (Basic Aircraft) | |
| Maximum Cruise Speed* | 162 knots/186 mph/300 km/h |
| Economical Cruise Speed* | 140 knots/161 mph/260 km/h |
| Maximum Rate Of Climb* | 2,200 feet/min/11.2 m/sec |
| One Engine Inoperative (OEI) Rate Of Climb 2 min Rating* | 850 feet/min/4.3 m/sec |
| OEI Rate Of Climb Continuous Rating at 6,560 feet/2,000 m* | 300 feet/min/1.5 m/sec |
| Hover Ceiling In Ground Effect (IGE)* | 10,500 feet/3,200 m |
| Hover Ceiling Out of Ground Effect (OGE)* | 8,530 feet/2,600 m |
| Maximum Range | 530 NM/610 miles/982 km |
| Maximum Range with 5,511.5 lbs/2,500 kg payload | 486 NM/559 miles/900 km |
| Maximum Endurance | 5 h |
| Ferry Range (with Internal Aux Fuel Tanks) | 864 NM/994 miles/1,600 km |
* At 22,046 lbs/10,000 kg
