Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo have joined forces to enhance the functionalities of the NH90 helicopter within NATO’s framework. This collaboration is driven by a request from the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) that aims to identify potential upgrades for the approximately 200 NH90 helicopters utilized by member nations.
The focus of the project encompasses a wide array of enhancements, including structural modifications, avionics improvements, maintenance capabilities, flight performance optimization, advanced communications systems, and manned-unmanned compatibility. Additionally, the upgrades aim to ensure greater commonality across different models to adapt to the evolving operational landscape.
The findings from this extensive study are expected to be submitted to NAHEMA by the end of the year, following which NATO nations will analyze the results to implement requisite updates to their collective NH90 fleets.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even highlighted the importance of the NH90, stating, “There are several studies running at the moment at NATO, EU, and national levels to assess the future of military helicopters. Together with Leonardo, we believe that the NH90 will have a central role to play in the future of European defense capabilities.”
This initiative marks the beginning of the Block 2 phase of NATO’s NH90 modernization project, which forms part of a larger strategy to define next-generation capabilities and technologies. In 2024, the Block 1 phase was initiated to lay the groundwork for future advancements.
Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo noted, “The NH90 Block 2 study clearly complements on the longer term the evolution roadmap of the NH90 for which a major step based on the Software Release 3 contract (also called Block 1) had already been outlined last year.” He emphasized the commitment to delivering a study that meets NAHEMA’s expectations while addressing the evolving rotorcraft capability requirements of member nations.
The NH90 helicopter was first introduced in the 2000s by NHIndustries, a consortium that includes Airbus, Leonardo, and Fokker Aerostructures. This multi-role military helicopter is designed for versatility, measuring 20 meters (66 feet) in length and weighing 11,000 kilograms (24,251 pounds), with a rotor diameter of 16 meters (52 feet). The aircraft is powered by dual 2,300-horsepower engines, enabling it to reach speeds of 300 kilometers (186 miles) per hour, operate at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet), and maintain a range of 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) with a five-hour endurance.
The NH90’s spacious fuselage can accommodate over 20 personnel, more than 10 medical evacuation staff, or two NATO-standard pallets. Its operational versatility is enhanced by the capability to arm the helicopter with mounted automatic machine guns, cannon pods, and air-to-surface missiles, making it a valuable asset in various military operations.
