Multimission Anti-Sub Copter Begins Testing

The first of 31 NH90 Sea Tigers took off on a maiden flight from Airbus' Donauwörth, Germany facility earlier this week. The helo will be known as the 'Sea Tiger Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter' in Bundeswehr service, replacing their aged Mk88A Sea Lynx aircraft from 1981. German armed forces already operate NH90 platforms thanks to previous orders of the Sea Lion, an aircraft that recently scored its first naval rescue operation in the North Sea. The Sea Tiger, adapted from the NH-90 NFH (a specialized naval version) will find itself well equipped for the anti-sub mission, with a standard dipping sonar, sonobuoy loadout, and electro-optical suite with ESM capabilities.