In 1992 two firms were set up: NAHEMA and NHINDUSTRIES, signing a contract with D&D. Production of 243+55 helicopters was approved in May 2000. Portugal joined the programme in 2001 procuring 10 NH-90 units.

Spain intends to operate 104 NH-90 helicopters for the three Services.

• Army: 48
• Navy: 28
• Air Force: 28
  

The Government authorised the procurement of a first batch of 45 units on May 19th 2005.

Ten of them will be in the TTH version for Force Projection Support and another unit will be used as a trial platform for other configurations: Multi-purpose, MPN, Airborne Surveillance & Control ASaC).

• Multi-mission capability.
• Cooperation with other naval components.
• Operations with a single pilot.
• 4 hour endurance.

• Up to 20 soldiers.
• A light vehicle.
• IFR operations with a single pilot.
• Night flights / Bad weather conditions.

• Low detectability.
• Reduced vulnerability.
• NBQ protection.

• Enhanced reliability, readiness, maintenance and support.
• Its flexibility permits more interoperability, grouped training and cost savings.

• Tactical transport:up to 20 people / light tactical vehicle.
• SAR.
• MEDEVAC.
• Special and combat operations.
• Logistic transport.
• Command and control electronic support.

• ASW
• ASuW
• CASEVAC.
• Vertical replenishment.
• Air surveillance.
• Troops transport.

• 

  Optimum performance (Level 1 ADS 33C)
• Multi-redundant. 4 channels.
• Low weight.
• Improved safety.
• Enhanced power.
  

• T700 / T6E1
• RRTM322-01/9

• 

  Optimum performance (Level 1 ADS 33C)
• Low noise:
  • External: 6 to 7 dB below ICAO limits.
  • Internal: < 91 dBSIL4
• Low rotor speed.
• Composite rotor and structure.
• Low EM radiation.
• Low silhouette / Foldable.

• Typical: 14 seats + 2 machine guns + 2 external fuel tanks.
• Troops transport: Up to 20.
• CASEVAC: Up to 12.

• 8 crashworthy tanks.
• 2 external tanks.
• 2 normal filler necks (12 minutes).
• 1 pressure filler neck (6 minutes).

Anti-icing system (TBD)

• 

  Automatically inflated upon contact with water.
• Inflated between 15 minutes and 2 hours.

• 4,000 kg strength.
• Independent pilot / co-pilot control.
• Mechanical or hand-operated control.

• Up to 279 kg in the air / 400 kg on land.
• Variable speed: 1.25 m/s
• Independent pilot / co-pilot control.

Both on land or in flight, the NH-90 can survive in a State III nuclear environment.

• Objective:
  • Protection of people.
  • In operations:
    • Prevent catastrophic effects and ensure safety.
    • Prevent effects in its systems.
• Design:
  • Minimise penetration and prevent the entrance of polluting agents.
  • Use of adequate materials to minimise degradation by polluting agents.

• In a simple display the pilot has all the necessary information to man the aircraft and carry out its mission.

• Advanced all-weather and night vision display.

• 2 Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) with embedded GPS
• 1 Doppler Velocity Sensor (DVS)
• 2 Air Data Computers (ADC)
• 1 Multi- Mode Receiver (MMR) (MLS / ILS / VOR / MKR)
• 1 Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
• 1 TACAN, AFD as option
• 1 Radio Altimeter (High Integrity)

• 

  Weather forecast capability.
• Detection of irregular atmospheric motions.
• Radio-beacon display.
• Land radar generated map.

X-band European naval type (ENR)

• 360º
• Automatic TWS.
• ISAR capability.
• Destination recognition with semi-automatic or manual classification.
• Missile launchers.
• Navigation.
• Weather.
• Air search.
• IFF.

• All-weather and night target search, detection, tracking and identification.

• Different integrated systems (TBD)

BLADE and TAIL FOLDING SYSTEM

MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMSELF-DEFENCE SYSTEM REDUCTION OF VULNERABILITYWeapons

• 7.62 mm MG
• 12.7 mm MG
• 20 mm gun
• 2.75” rockets

Capability: 1 torpedo + 1 missile in the same mission.

HARPOON DECK LANDING SYSTEM

TRAVERSING SYSTEM

• 

  Deck safety blocking system.
• Lateral motion system.
• Folding system.
• Tele-briefing.
• Real-time tactical communication between CIC and helicopter.
• ASW
  • MU90 torpedoes.
  • PPI radar.
  • Sonar.
• Sonobuoys.
• Towed array.

• 

  Transition phase: from the delivery of the first unit to Spain.
• Permanent training: the one established by the Armed Forces.

Design based on NATO requirements of interoperability, sustainability and life-cycle costs.

• Aims:
  • Enhanced reliability:
    • Frame: 1000 fh.
    • Components: >5000fh
    • Availability: >80%
    • Mission reliability: >97%
  • Maintenance:
    • Preventive/corrective maintenance: <2,6 mmh/fh.
    • Preventive maintenance intervals: >600fh.
    • Lubricants intervals: >300fh
    • Engine replacement in 45 minutes.
  • Innovative tests:
    • Capable of designating up to 95% of all possible failures and pinpointing 90% of all detected failures.

• Tests:
  • Pre-flight tests.
  • Post-flight tests.
  • In-flight diagnosis and control.
  • Maintenance support:
    • Logistics and management information system.

• The first goal is to limit the number of repairing parts to O/I Maintenance Levels.
• Operational status achieved by means of repair modules.

• Improvement of the maintenance concept through:
  • Logistic support analysis (MIL-STD-1388).
  • Repair level using the EDCAS model.
  • Reliability determined by maintenance i.a.w. MSG-3.

• Maintenance Level 1 (0-Level).
  • Operation, cleaning and small adjustments.
  • RLU spare parts.
  • Minor structural repairs.
  • Mission readiness.
  • Flight inspections (preventive).
• Maintenance Level 2 (I-Level).
  • LRU repair.
  • Small structural repairs.
  • Periodic inspections (600 h).
  • Incorporation of modifications.
  • Complete helicopter service.
  • Damage repairs after air battle.
  • Mobile support.
• Maintenance Level 3 (D-Level).
  • Overhaul.
  • SRU repair.
  • Specialised repairs.
  • Important structural repairs.
  • Important modifications and upgrading.
  • ML2 specialised support.

• Flight line inspections (Basic H/C).
  • 15 minutes before flying by one man / 2 men: 10 minutes, including refuelling.
  • 15 minutes after flying by one man / 2 men: 10 minutes.
  • Secure inspection in 20 minutes with 3 men.
• Periodic inspections.
  • 150 FH inspection in 9 hours/man.
  • 300 FH inspection in 100 hours/man.
  • 600 FH inspection in 475hours/man.