New spare contract b/w the German and French forces and NHI. An availability rate raised at 50% minimum per contract (must the lowest such contracted minima in the world). Details per type unknown at this time.
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Sous le nez de l’appareil, trois des six capteurs grand champ de l’Eurofl’Eye et la boule optronique Euroflir 410NG, tous deux conçus par Safran Electronics and Defense. L’Euroflir 410NG sera également intégrée au Guépard et au drone tactique Patroller
Côté agression, le NH90 FS déplace la mitrailleuse MAG 58 en sabord vers une fenêtre arrière agrandie « afin de dégager complètement l’espace nécessaire pour la dépose et la récupération des combattants ». Le programme prévoit l’intégration des mitrailleuses M134 Minigun et FN M3M vers 2024-2025.
Commandos et forces spéciales disposeront de potences d’aérocordage pour corde lisse légèrement retravaillées et de nouveaux points d’accroche pour la descente en rappel fixés sur le plafond de la soute. L’une des trappes de soute est également agrandie pour faciliter la récupération en « grappe ».
À noter que les forces spéciales ne basculeront pas sur le SITALAT et son successeur, le SICS ALAT. Elles conserveront un système d’information spécifique mais compatible avec le reste des forces. Le volet communication sera complété d’un « Kit Amovible Radio » (KAMORA), une solution modulaire qui limitera le nombre de postes radio au strict nécessaire tout en garantissant l’interopérabilité.
-------------------------//------------------------
Under the nose of the aircraft, three of the Eurofl'Eye's six wide-field sensors and the Euroflir 410NG optronic ball, both designed by Safran Electronics and Defense. The Euroflir 410NG will also be integrated into the Cheetah and the Patroller tactical drones.
On the offensive side, the NH90 FS moves the MAG 58 machine gun in the porthole to an enlarged rear window “in order to completely clear the space necessary for the removal and recovery of the combatants [the doors are really small with a high of only 130cm [51"]] ”. The program provides for the integration of the M134 Minigun and FN M3M machine guns around 2024-2025.
Commandos and special forces will have slightly reworked aerorope anchors for smooth rope and new attachment points on the ceiling of the hold. One of the cargo hatches is also enlarged to facilitate "group" recovery.
Note that the special forces will not switch to the SITALAT and its successor, the SICS ALAT. They will retain a specific information system that is compatible with the rest of the forces. The communication component will be supplemented by a “Removable Radio Kit” (KAMORA), a modular solution which will limit the number of radio sets to what is strictly necessary while guaranteeing interoperability.
French Special forces Command (COS) is finalizing NH90 configuration with new frontal optronic (see also earlier posts) :
Sous le nez de l’appareil, trois des six capteurs grand champ de l’Eurofl’Eye et la boule optronique Euroflir 410NG, tous deux conçus par Safran Electronics and Defense. L’Euroflir 410NG sera également intégrée au Guépard et au drone tactique Patroller
Côté agression, le NH90 FS déplace la mitrailleuse MAG 58 en sabord vers une fenêtre arrière agrandie « afin de dégager complètement l’espace nécessaire pour la dépose et la récupération des combattants ». Le programme prévoit l’intégration des mitrailleuses M134 Minigun et FN M3M vers 2024-2025.
Commandos et forces spéciales disposeront de potences d’aérocordage pour corde lisse légèrement retravaillées et de nouveaux points d’accroche pour la descente en rappel fixés sur le plafond de la soute. L’une des trappes de soute est également agrandie pour faciliter la récupération en « grappe ».
À noter que les forces spéciales ne basculeront pas sur le SITALAT et son successeur, le SICS ALAT. Elles conserveront un système d’information spécifique mais compatible avec le reste des forces. Le volet communication sera complété d’un « Kit Amovible Radio » (KAMORA), une solution modulaire qui limitera le nombre de postes radio au strict nécessaire tout en garantissant l’interopérabilité.
-------------------------//------------------------
Under the nose of the aircraft, three of the Eurofl'Eye's six wide-field sensors and the Euroflir 410NG optronic ball, both designed by Safran Electronics and Defense. The Euroflir 410NG will also be integrated into the Cheetah and the Patroller tactical drones.
On the offensive side, the NH90 FS moves the MAG 58 machine gun in the porthole to an enlarged rear window “in order to completely clear the space necessary for the removal and recovery of the combatants [the doors are really small with a high of only 130cm [51"]] ”. The program provides for the integration of the M134 Minigun and FN M3M machine guns around 2024-2025.
Commandos and special forces will have slightly reworked aerorope anchors for smooth rope and new attachment points on the ceiling of the hold. One of the cargo hatches is also enlarged to facilitate "group" recovery.
Note that the special forces will not switch to the SITALAT and its successor, the SICS ALAT. They will retain a specific information system that is compatible with the rest of the forces. The communication component will be supplemented by a “Removable Radio Kit” (KAMORA), a modular solution which will limit the number of radio sets to what is strictly necessary while guaranteeing interoperability.
Eurosatory 2022 : la configuration du NH90 FS figée à 99% - FOB - Forces Operations Blog
La configuration du futur « NH90 Forces Spéciales » commandé par la France est pratiquement figée, nous expliquaient des membres du Groupement aéromobilité de la Section technique de l'armée de Terre (GAMSTAT) lors du salon Eurosatory. Les premières livraisons sont attendues pour le second...www.forcesoperations.com
Happy with their Tigres too I bet.
Chris
Happy with their Tigres too I bet.
Chris
Yeah the French are even talking about doing an upgrade of the Tigers as well, though with or without the Germans taking part.
Thought the Tiger III was in doubt if the German's weren't in it? Or is it going to be de-scoped?Yeah the French are even talking about doing an upgrade of the Tigers as well, though with or without the Germans taking part.
Same thoughts here timmymagic, Unless the French go it alone with the Tiger 3.Thought the Tiger III was in doubt if the German's weren't in it? Or is it going to be de-scoped?
Not all acquisition plans are developed from military requirements.Happy?! I doubt COS (French SOC) are satisfied with what have been put in their hands. I think it's simply a battle they won't fight for various reasons. Look at the amount of transformation needed, it doesn't augur well with an increase in availability. What could be the use of a SOC unit with a 20% sortie rate?
Uh oh....things might go from bad to worse....
They did get UH-60 as an interim measure due to NH-90 delays so I suspect they'll go all in.Uh oh....things might go from bad to worse....
So if Sweden goes the same way as Norway did and gets rid of the NH-90 what transport helicopter will replace it?
They did get UH-60 as an interim measure due to NH-90 delays so I suspect they'll go all in.
There is the possibility that such a threat is a real shot across the bows for NH Industries to get their act together very quickly though...looks like they've got till November.
They can get the Polish built version.They did get UH-60 as an interim measure due to NH-90 delays so I suspect they'll go all in.
There is the possibility that such a threat is a real shot across the bows for NH Industries to get their act together very quickly though...looks like they've got till November.
I had forgotten that Sweden had the UH-60 as an interim transport helicopter, that would possibly be the obvious choice for them.
From the article:Sweden to axe NH90 fleet under revised defence equipment plan
Sweden plans to join near neighbour Norway in ditching the NH Industries NH90 helicopter under new defence equipment and spending plans. Revealed on 1 November, the proposals laid out by General Micael Byden, head of the Swedish military, will see the country retire the NH90s operated by its...www.flightglobal.com
Oooer!
Revealed on 1 November, the proposals laid out by General Micael Byden, head of the Swedish military, will see the country retire the NH90s operated by its armed forces for battlefield support and naval missions, replacing them respectively with additional Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks and a yet to be determined type.
Stockholm earlier in the year had commissioned a review into the performance of its NH90 fleet, particularly relating to upgrades required to bolster the type’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Availability issues with the troop transport variant have also been a concern.
On the back of that process, Byden’s plans call for it to “decommission” the HKP-14Es and -14Fs – Sweden’s designations for the NH90 troop transport and maritime helicopters – over the period from 2024 to 2030. The 18-strong fleet comprises nine of each version.
Under the proposals, Stockholm will begin the procurement of a new maritime helicopter in the 2024-2030 period, while also buying additional Black Hawks for the battlefield support role.
“The aim is to meet operational requirements earlier and increase availability of the helicopter fleet to be able to support the army, special forces and navy needs,” the plans indicate.
Retirement of the NH90 fleet will be completed by 2035 at the latest, in parallel with the acquisition of new Black Hawks, the document says.
From the article:Sweden to axe NH90 fleet under revised defence equipment plan
Sweden plans to join near neighbour Norway in ditching the NH Industries NH90 helicopter under new defence equipment and spending plans. Revealed on 1 November, the proposals laid out by General Micael Byden, head of the Swedish military, will see the country retire the NH90s operated by its...www.flightglobal.com
Oooer!
Revealed on 1 November, the proposals laid out by General Micael Byden, head of the Swedish military, will see the country retire the NH90s operated by its armed forces for battlefield support and naval missions, replacing them respectively with additional Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks and a yet to be determined type.
Stockholm earlier in the year had commissioned a review into the performance of its NH90 fleet, particularly relating to upgrades required to bolster the type’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Availability issues with the troop transport variant have also been a concern.
On the back of that process, Byden’s plans call for it to “decommission” the HKP-14Es and -14Fs – Sweden’s designations for the NH90 troop transport and maritime helicopters – over the period from 2024 to 2030. The 18-strong fleet comprises nine of each version.
Under the proposals, Stockholm will begin the procurement of a new maritime helicopter in the 2024-2030 period, while also buying additional Black Hawks for the battlefield support role.
“The aim is to meet operational requirements earlier and increase availability of the helicopter fleet to be able to support the army, special forces and navy needs,” the plans indicate.
Retirement of the NH90 fleet will be completed by 2035 at the latest, in parallel with the acquisition of new Black Hawks, the document says.
Oh dear, things are not looking good at all for the NH-90, now Sweden is getting rid of their NH-90s too. I wonder how many NH-90s that leaves around the world that are still in operational use? Not that many I would think.
The French ones, mainly, I think. At least they can get lots of spares on the cheap in the next few years.
NH Industries (NHI) – a three-way consortium comprising Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters and GKN/Fokker – says it ”acknowledges” the Swedish study and the rationalisation of its helicopter inventory ”including the phasing out of their current NH90 fleet”.
It points to the customisation of the helicopters for Sweden’s requirements – including increased cabin height and a Saab-developed tactical mission system for the naval version. In addition, NHI stresses that availability rates for the country’s NH90s have been “above the average for similar helicopter types” albeit the size of the available fleet has been “temporarily reduced” in recent years due to a retrofit and upgrade programme running since 2017 but due to conclude by end-2023.
”The expected return into service of all of the Swedish NH90s at that time will boost fleet availability. NHI has also proposed to the Swedish armed forces over the last few months additional measures that could significantly improve availability and reduce operating costs with limited efforts,” says the consortium.
French Special forces Command (COS) is finalizing NH90 configuration with new frontal optronic (see also earlier posts) :
Sous le nez de l’appareil, trois des six capteurs grand champ de l’Eurofl’Eye et la boule optronique Euroflir 410NG, tous deux conçus par Safran Electronics and Defense. L’Euroflir 410NG sera également intégrée au Guépard et au drone tactique Patroller
Côté agression, le NH90 FS déplace la mitrailleuse MAG 58 en sabord vers une fenêtre arrière agrandie « afin de dégager complètement l’espace nécessaire pour la dépose et la récupération des combattants ». Le programme prévoit l’intégration des mitrailleuses M134 Minigun et FN M3M vers 2024-2025.
Commandos et forces spéciales disposeront de potences d’aérocordage pour corde lisse légèrement retravaillées et de nouveaux points d’accroche pour la descente en rappel fixés sur le plafond de la soute. L’une des trappes de soute est également agrandie pour faciliter la récupération en « grappe ».
À noter que les forces spéciales ne basculeront pas sur le SITALAT et son successeur, le SICS ALAT. Elles conserveront un système d’information spécifique mais compatible avec le reste des forces. Le volet communication sera complété d’un « Kit Amovible Radio » (KAMORA), une solution modulaire qui limitera le nombre de postes radio au strict nécessaire tout en garantissant l’interopérabilité.
-------------------------//------------------------
Under the nose of the aircraft, three of the Eurofl'Eye's six wide-field sensors and the Euroflir 410NG optronic ball, both designed by Safran Electronics and Defense. The Euroflir 410NG will also be integrated into the Cheetah and the Patroller tactical drones.
On the offensive side, the NH90 FS moves the MAG 58 machine gun in the porthole to an enlarged rear window “in order to completely clear the space necessary for the removal and recovery of the combatants [the doors are really small with a high of only 130cm [51"]] ”. The program provides for the integration of the M134 Minigun and FN M3M machine guns around 2024-2025.
Commandos and special forces will have slightly reworked aerorope anchors for smooth rope and new attachment points on the ceiling of the hold. One of the cargo hatches is also enlarged to facilitate "group" recovery.
Note that the special forces will not switch to the SITALAT and its successor, the SICS ALAT. They will retain a specific information system that is compatible with the rest of the forces. The communication component will be supplemented by a “Removable Radio Kit” (KAMORA), a modular solution which will limit the number of radio sets to what is strictly necessary while guaranteeing interoperability.
Eurosatory 2022 : la configuration du NH90 FS figée à 99% - FOB - Forces Operations Blog
La configuration du futur « NH90 Forces Spéciales » commandé par la France est pratiquement figée, nous expliquaient des membres du Groupement aéromobilité de la Section technique de l'armée de Terre (GAMSTAT) lors du salon Eurosatory. Les premières livraisons sont attendues pour le second...www.forcesoperations.com
Looks like the French Special Forces are happy with their NH-90s and not following the current trend of getting rid of them but upgrading the optronic sensor.
French Special forces Command (COS) is finalizing NH90 configuration with new frontal optronic (see also earlier posts) :
Sous le nez de l’appareil, trois des six capteurs grand champ de l’Eurofl’Eye et la boule optronique Euroflir 410NG, tous deux conçus par Safran Electronics and Defense. L’Euroflir 410NG sera également intégrée au Guépard et au drone tactique Patroller
Côté agression, le NH90 FS déplace la mitrailleuse MAG 58 en sabord vers une fenêtre arrière agrandie « afin de dégager complètement l’espace nécessaire pour la dépose et la récupération des combattants ». Le programme prévoit l’intégration des mitrailleuses M134 Minigun et FN M3M vers 2024-2025.
Commandos et forces spéciales disposeront de potences d’aérocordage pour corde lisse légèrement retravaillées et de nouveaux points d’accroche pour la descente en rappel fixés sur le plafond de la soute. L’une des trappes de soute est également agrandie pour faciliter la récupération en « grappe ».
À noter que les forces spéciales ne basculeront pas sur le SITALAT et son successeur, le SICS ALAT. Elles conserveront un système d’information spécifique mais compatible avec le reste des forces. Le volet communication sera complété d’un « Kit Amovible Radio » (KAMORA), une solution modulaire qui limitera le nombre de postes radio au strict nécessaire tout en garantissant l’interopérabilité.
-------------------------//------------------------
Under the nose of the aircraft, three of the Eurofl'Eye's six wide-field sensors and the Euroflir 410NG optronic ball, both designed by Safran Electronics and Defense. The Euroflir 410NG will also be integrated into the Cheetah and the Patroller tactical drones.
On the offensive side, the NH90 FS moves the MAG 58 machine gun in the porthole to an enlarged rear window “in order to completely clear the space necessary for the removal and recovery of the combatants [the doors are really small with a high of only 130cm [51"]] ”. The program provides for the integration of the M134 Minigun and FN M3M machine guns around 2024-2025.
Commandos and special forces will have slightly reworked aerorope anchors for smooth rope and new attachment points on the ceiling of the hold. One of the cargo hatches is also enlarged to facilitate "group" recovery.
Note that the special forces will not switch to the SITALAT and its successor, the SICS ALAT. They will retain a specific information system that is compatible with the rest of the forces. The communication component will be supplemented by a “Removable Radio Kit” (KAMORA), a modular solution which will limit the number of radio sets to what is strictly necessary while guaranteeing interoperability.
Eurosatory 2022 : la configuration du NH90 FS figée à 99% - FOB - Forces Operations Blog
La configuration du futur « NH90 Forces Spéciales » commandé par la France est pratiquement figée, nous expliquaient des membres du Groupement aéromobilité de la Section technique de l'armée de Terre (GAMSTAT) lors du salon Eurosatory. Les premières livraisons sont attendues pour le second...www.forcesoperations.com
Great pics. Thanks.
You have to wonder why there is triple the budget for the winch kit on starboard than for the added weapon stations on the sides of the fuselage in lieu of stub wings.
Look at the machined parts in the assembly (!).
Belgium about to enter in a new acquisition process (30) to replace their NH-90 (Land and Naval). Their much used A-109 might also get a replacement a program named LUH for alight Utility Helicopter.
L'achat d'hélicoptères inscrit au budget 2023 de la Défense belge - FOB - Forces Operations Blog
Quelques semaines après la France, la Belgique dévoile à son tour son projet de budget pour 2023. Au programme, entre autres, pour le volet Défense : plus de 1,1 Md€ en crédits d'engagement pour le renouvellement des matériels majeurs, avec l'acquisition de nouvelles flottes d’hélicoptères dans...www.forcesoperations.com
Belgium about to enter in a new acquisition process (30) to replace their NH-90 (Land and Naval). Their much used A-109 might also get a replacement program named LUH for alight Utility Helicopter.
L'achat d'hélicoptères inscrit au budget 2023 de la Défense belge - FOB - Forces Operations Blog
Quelques semaines après la France, la Belgique dévoile à son tour son projet de budget pour 2023. Au programme, entre autres, pour le volet Défense : plus de 1,1 Md€ en crédits d'engagement pour le renouvellement des matériels majeurs, avec l'acquisition de nouvelles flottes d’hélicoptères dans...www.forcesoperations.com
They only have 4 TTH. The 30 helicopters to be procured are replacing the AW109 as well.30 TTH should keep 4 NFH parts inventory up for some time to come.