On October 3, the Armada received the fourth AIRBUS H135 P3H helicopter (dubbed NIVAL) that will be incorporated into the Twelfth Squadron of the Aircraft Flotilla.
The “DGAM Joint Program Office H135”, which manages the procurement file, transferred the helicopter to the Armada at the Airbus Helicopters España (AHE) facilities in Albacete. It is planned to fly the new NIVAL 1204 to Rota Naval Base on October 17 and the next unit in November.
Currently, the operational evaluation process (EVALO in its Spanish initials) of the H135 has completed and passed the scheduled milestones of the operational evaluation in port. Namely, instrument compatibility between the OPV "Relámpago" and NIVAL 01, the Initial Qualification Campaign on Ships (CCIB), delivery by AHE of the documentation of the CCIB, boarding of the first experimental Airborne Unit on board the LPD "Galicia" and, finally, the operational evaluation in flight with the OPV "Relámpago".
From 30 September to 4 October, the operational evaluation (EVALO) of the H135 "NIVAL" was carried out in waters of the Gulf of Cadiz on board the “Relámpago”.
During the in-flight EVALO, the pilots of the Twelfth Squadron conducted 64 landings during 10.3 flight hours, thus confirming the capability of the H135 to operate with warships.
Based on the report by Airbus Helicopters Spain (AHE) and the Australian company PRISM during the Initial Ship Rating Campaign, the wind charts of the OPV-H135 were drafted, as well as the overall flight envelope of the H135 helicopter while embarked. From this flight envelope, the wind charts for other mono-spot ships (frigates, AORs) and for multi-spot ships (LHD and LPD) will be duly designed.
During this evaluation, evacuation exercises with stretcher, the study of the stowage inside the hangar of the H135 boarding kit, as well as checking the compatibility of the aircraft operating on board were also carried out.
The OPVs are, due to their characteristics and capabilities, the ideal ships to operate this type of Embarked Air Unit: the H135 helicopter.