New Sensors, New Comms, Updated IFF, and Some New Ordnance Round Out the Upgrade List

NH Industries and the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) have signed a contract to begin development of an NH90 Block 1 upgrade for the pan-European combat helicopter.

NAMEA began the upgrade as a part of the expected NH90 roadmap, expecting to add some extra capabilities for both the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) variant, in use by land-based forces, and its navalized sister, the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). The first phase of the program will run about €600 million in all, and will include an upgrade to the NH90's comms suite. Data Link 22 support will be added, allowing BLOS interoperability without a satellite uplink. An improvement to its IFF module will bring it up to IFF Mod 5 Level 2, the latest version of the device, with some other sundry upgrades wherever they can pack them in. A new electro optical system, dipping sonar, and integration of improved munitions should round out the package, bringing the Mark 54 air-launched torpedo and Marte ER anti-ship missile into NH90 use. NAHEMA notes that the NH90 Block 1 will be able to navigate with a civilian GNSS and flight management system, further easing training and use for those who press their tactical aircraft into more mundane mission profiles.

“The signature of the SWR3 contract, which marks the launch of the NH90 Block 1 upgrade, is an important milestone for the NH90 programme and is a clear sign that our NATO customers trust the NH90 and plan on operating it for many more decades to come,” said Axel Aloccio, President of NHI and Head of NH90 Program at Airbus Helicopters. "We have a clear plan to extend the life span of the NH90 up to 50 years and we will need to upgrade the aircraft to make sure it stays relevant on the battlefield of tomorrow. The Block 1 programme will cover the next ten to fifteen years. Beyond that horizon, we are also planning the Block 2 upgrade that will define the future evolutions of the platform and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the battlefield of tomorrow."
 
A second phase to the program is in the works, too, expected to consist of Block 1 deployment on about 200 NH90s drawn from both NFH and TTH variants. 

FMI: www.airbus.com