Eurocopter Delivers 8th NH90 NFH Caiman to France’s DGA for its Deployment by the French Navy

: Posted On Saturday, 22 December 2012 09:24

Naval Forces News - France

Eurocopter Delivers 8th NH90 NFH Caiman to France’s DGA for its Deployment by the French Navy

Eurocopter delivered the French DGA’s first NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) in its new Step B version, to be used by the French Navy. This aircraft will join the fleet of seven NFHs already delivered to the French Navy in the first standard configuration..

The NH90 Caïman in flight
(video: EMA/French Navy)

“This new naval variant of the NH90 represents a significant and eagerly-awaited step for the French Navy,” added Maudet. “It provides the French Army with an aircraft equipped with new functions that better respond to operational requirements, particularly in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.”

The NH90 NFH boasts a state-of-the-art weapons system that combines – as part of a high-performance platform – a package of ultra-modern electronic, acoustic and optronic sensors as well as weapons loads adapted to anti-ship and anti-submarine missions. The helicopter also performs SAR, amphibious, maritime surveillance and anti-piracy missions.

Eurocopter delivered the French DGA’s first NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) in its new Step B version, to be used by the French Navy. This aircraft will join the fleet of seven NFHs already delivered to the French Navy in the first standard configuration..

French Navy NH90 NFH Caïman helicotper with a Rafale M
(picture: EMA/French Navy)

The six NH90 final assembly lines currently operational in France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Australia, and Spain are under the supervision of NHIndustries, a consortium jointly owned by Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Fokker Aerostructures, which respectively hold 62.5 percent, 32 percent and 5.5 percent stakes.

To date, 133 NH90s have been delivered to 14 countries, and together they have logged more than 31,000 flight hours.