THE FIRST of five Eurocopter NH90 prototypes had a successful 40min maiden flight from the company's Marignane site near Marseilles, France on 18 December. The first aircraft, PT1, was flown by test pilots Philippe Boutry and Guy Dabadie, and is the first of three NH90 prototypes to be built by Eurocopter France. A fourth tactical-transport version prototype is being built by Eurocopter Deutschland, while Agusta of Italy is responsible for the naval prototype. Fokker of the Netherlands is the fourth partner in the helicopter programme.
Source: Flight International
