Multi-Role Helo Designed Primarily For ASW and ASuW Missions

The first NH90 NFH helicopter has been delivered to the Norwegian Armed Forces by AgustaWestland. The delivery ceremony took place November 30 at the company's Vergiate facility. The aircradft is the first of 14 NH90s intended to replace the Lynx helicopters for the Coast Guard in addition to providing helicopter ASW capability to the new Nansen class frigates.

The Norwegian NH90s will be based at Bardufoss Air Station where they will start their operational career after initial training. Norway is one of the nations selecting the NFH variant together with The Netherlands, France, Italy and Belgium. A total of 111 NH90 NFH naval helicopters have been ordered by these nations.

The NFH variant is primarily designed for autonomous and joint Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW) missions. The comprehensive mission equipment packages allow a wide range of additional missions to be performed including Search and Rescue (SAR), maritime patrol, vertical replenishment, troop transport, medical evacuation and amphibious support roles. The helicopter is designed for day and night operations in adverse weather conditions from the decks of ships. Because of its optimal weight and dimensions, the deck-lock system, the deck traversing system and the automatic blade and tail folding system, it can operate from small frigates even in high sea states.

Firm orders have been placed by 14 countries including France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece, Spain and Belgium in Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Oman overseas for the NH90. AgustaWestland is responsible for the production of the main transmission, tail drive shafts, hydraulic system, automatic flight control system, rear ramp, rear fuselage and on-board computers, as well as the overall integration of the NH90 naval mission system for all NFH variants and in particular the electronic warfare system for Norway. (Photo provided by AgustaWestland)

FMI: www.agustawestland.com