The first of Australia’s 46 MRH90 transport helicopters made its maiden flight from Eurocopter’s Marignane production site in southern France yesterday, ahead of the NH Industries NH90 variant’s delivery to the Australian army from late 2007.
“We flew up to 4,000ft [1,220m] and at maximum speed,” says Eurocopter chief test pilot Didier Guerin. “All of the aircraft’s main systems operated in line with our expectations.” The aircraft – MSN001 – was airborne for 90min.
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Australia’s A$4.2 billion ($3.4 billion) MRH90 procurement will lead to the delivery of 12 troop transports to the army and 34 shipborne examples to the Royal Australian Navy. Four aircraft will be built in Marignane, with the remainder to be assembled at Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace’s Brisbane plant. An initial four aircraft – including two Australian-completed examples – will be delivered by year-end.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
