NH INDUSTRIES HAS rolled out the first prototype of the four-nation NH90 medium-lift transport helicopter, at Marignanne, France. The event took place on schedule, but against a background of increasing doubt about the programme's future.
France, with a 42.4% share, Germany (24%), Italy (26.9%) and the Netherlands (6.7%) have expressed a need for a total of 544 tactical and 182 naval NH90s, making this potentially the biggest-ever helicopter programme carried out in Europe.
It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that it is unlikely that this many machines will be ordered. The five prototypes are fully funded, however, and first flight is due at the end of 1995, with all five flying by December 1997. Unit costs will range between Fr90 million ($18 million) for the tactical-transport version, and Fr144 million for the naval version. The NH90 is being developed under a Fr9.6 billion fixed-price contract, and is due to enter service in the year 2000.
Source: Flight International
