NHIndustries expects to complete equipment selection for the maritime and utility variants of the NH90 helicopter by mid-1997. The second prototype, a naval variant and the first fly-by-wire machine, is scheduled to be flown by the end of February. According to NH Industries, some 90% of the equipment list has now been chosen. Mid-year will also be when the first prototype is delivered to Italy's Agusta, where its Rolls-Royce/Turboméca/ MTU RTM322 turboshaft will be replaced with the optional General Electric/Alfa Romeo T700 powerplant. Under the revised delivery schedule the first helicopter will not be handed over until 2003. France will not take its first NH90 until 2011.
Source: Flight International
