The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
NH 90 Italian Prototype Presented in Flight
A military-industrial audience saluted, on 1st March, the fifth and last prototype (PT5) of the NH 90 helicopter at the Agusta Cascina Costa plants in Italy. The press did not officially attend.
The study on this helicopter dates back early in the eighties, resulting in a common NH 90 requirement by five nations, France, Germany, Italy, Nederlands and UK, the latter then withdrawing from the programme in 1987.
In 1992 the NH Industries consortium was set up, being today formed by Agusta, Eurocopter e Stork Fokker. Its task was the development of a twin engine, multirole naval and army tactical transport helicopter in the 10-ton class. Two main mission variants (NFH and TTH) would emerge from a common basic model.
At the moment, with all five prototypes in activity, the opening of the flight envelope is in full swing, together with flight qualification of mission dedicated systems.
PT5 (Italian serial number MM X613) was assembled in the NFH configuration under Agusta responsibility. The aircraft task is to test typical mission systems for autonomous Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Unit Warfare (ASVW). Additional applications include Anti-Air Warfare support, Vertical Replenishment, Search and Rescue and Troop Transport. The flight test programme of PT5 comprises deck trials on board combat ships.
PT5 was shown in flight with PT1 prototype (first flight on 18 December 1995 at Eurocopter's Marignane plants). The latter sports Italian military serial MM X612, due to the fact it is now used as the certification test-bed for the Alfa Romeo Avio-General Electric CT700-T6E engines. The Italian Services selected this type of turboshaft for their NH 90s. The French counterparts opted for the RRTI (Turbomeca, Rolls-Royce, MTU, Piaggio e Topps) RTM 322-01/9.
The go-ahead by the four Governments for the production of the first batch of more than 150 aircraft is expected soon. It will open the doors to the export market.
In the picture: Italian prototype (PT5) of NH Industries NH 90 helicopter, assembled by Agusta, in formation flight with PT1, used as an engine certification test-bed for Alfa Romeo Avio-General Electric CT700-T6E turboshaft.
(Aeromedia, March 2000)