The first NH Industries NH90 tactical transport helicopter deliveries under the 52-aircraft, three-nation programme are expected to start from April next year after delays caused by multiple configuration changes and longer than expected certification approvals.
The Nordic Standard Helicopter project, which links Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish requirements, involves complex industrial arrangements split between the three countries as well as other suppliers in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The two main Nordic industrial partners in the project are Patria and Saab. Patria is assembling 50 aircraft at its facilities in Jamsa in central Finland.
Saab is building 270 forward fuselage sections for the wider NH90/MRH90 programme, and developing the tactical mission system (TMS) for the Swedish armed forces' variant.
Norway has ordered 14 aircraft, six to operate from its navy's frigates and eight to replace the coastguard's Westland Lynx helicopters. The army has flagged a potential requirement for another eight to support special force needs. Sweden is acquiring 18 aircraft, while Finland is buying 20 for its army. The primary acquisition contracts were signed in 2001 with deliveries originally due to start last year.
Finnish defence minister Dr Seppo Kääriäinen says that Finnish army deliveries "are now foreseen from spring 2007 to 2009." The army plans to have the helicopters available for participation in multinational operations from 2013, he says.
The first Patria assembled aircraft, to go to the Finnish army, made its debut flight in July 2005. That aircraft is being worked up to full delivery configuration ready for handover by year-end.
Patria is also preparing to fly its first aircraft assembled for Swedish armed forces, to be in the high cabin configuration. This follows the first flight of a high cabin version assembled by Eurocopter last year, also destined for Sweden.
Saab Aerospace received a SKr2 billion ($290 million) contract to develop the TMS command-and-control suite for the Swedish aircraft in January 2002, but system specification snags delayed development. Saab Avionics also holds a SKr22 million contract to supply self-protection electronic warfare suites for the Swedish aircraft.
Source: Flight International
