STEWART PENNEY
Saab is displaying parts of the tactical mission system (TMS) it is developing for the NH Industries NH90 multirole helicopters ordered by the Swedish armed forces.
The Swedish company won a SKr2 billion ($215 million) order for the NH90 TMS earlier this year.
Sweden ordered 18 NH90s last year as part of the four-nation Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme.
Five machines will be used for anti-submarine/surface warfare (ASW/ASuW) while others will be used for search and rescue (SAR) and troop transport.
System
Karl-Johan Berzelius, Saab helicopter programmes marketing director, says the TMS programme brings together capabilities from around the Saab group.
He says TMS development will be the first time that Saab group companies are integrated to build a complete system.
Much of TMS will be derived from systems in the Saab JAS39 Gripen multirole fighter and Visby-class corvette, which is undergoing trials for the Swedish navy.
The workstation on display (Hall 1, A17) is designed to be roll-on, roll-off. NH90s operated in the ASW role will be equipped with two operator consoles, while SAR-configured machines will have one.
Data
The consoles will provide the operator with an integrated sensor and information system, combining data in the ASW NH90s from the Telephonics APS-143B radar and electro-optical and acoustic systems and the cabin-installed dipping sonar.
It will also allow the NH90s to be plugged into Sweden's planned Network-Centric Defence architecture.
All machines will be equipped with a core system linked with the helicopter's avionics system.
The basic system will provide pre-flight functionality such as planning and basic data fusion. It will also provide data for the cockpit displays.
Berzelius says the system will be scalable and flexible, making it suitable for other helicopter types and roles.
Source: Flight Daily News
