AEROMEDIA
The Italian Aerospace Information Web
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Official Delivery of the NH 90 Helicopter to the Italian Army

On March 6, 2008, the Italian Army celebrated the official delivery of the new NH Industries NH 90 medium helicopter, designated ETT (Elicottero da Trasporto Tattico) by the Service. A total of 60 NH 90s have been ordered todate, to integrate and replace the major part of types in service with the “Aviazione dell’Esercito” (AVES) including AB 205, AB 212 and AB 412. These models have been respectively designated ESC-3, ESC-4 and ESC-5 in AVES’ current jargon, where ESC means “Elicottero da Supporto al Combattimento”.
The location of the ceremony was the Viterbo airport, in Central Italy, seat of the Comando Aviazione dell’Esercito, of the 1st Reggimento AVES “Antares” and of the Centro Addestrativo Aviazione dell’Esercito (Army Aviation Training Center), with the participation of Military and Civil Authorities and many spectators, impassible to the unfavourable weather conditions.
The international programme for the new NATO Helicopter began early in the ‘Eighties, based on the operational requirements of four countries (France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands), later joined by Belgium and Portugal. As in the case of other European aircraft and helicopters conceived in that period (Eurofighter, Rafale, Tiger, EH 101…), the development of NH 90 suffered a significant delay due to the radically new scenarios after the reunification of Germany and the disintegration of the Warsaw Pact.
The project went on at a slower development pace, enabling the refinement of two main versions – the Army-dedicated TTH Tactical Transport Helicopter and the Navy-dedicated NFH Naval Frigate Helicopter – with the integration of state of the art systems and equipment which had become available in the meantime.
NH 90 is a medium twin-engined helicopter with carbonfibre structure, composite rotors, digital cockpit with four MFDs, fly-by-wire flight controls and a large cabin with a rear access ramp and two lateral slinding doors. Besides the choice of four engine types (Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM 332-01/9, RTM 332-01/9A, General Electric GE T700/T6E1 or CT7-8F5), the NH 90 standard cabin (height 1.58 m or 5.18 ft) is also available in 1.82 m (5.97 ft) “High cabin” version. The dedicated industrial consortium - NH Industries – is formed by Eurocopter (62,5%), AgustaWestland (32%) and Stork Fokker of the Netherlands (5,5%).
The Italian Army has ordered sixty NH 90 TTH helicopters in 2000, and the first aircraft was handed over on December 30, 2007. Up until now, five NH 90s have been delivered to the Viterbo-based Centro Addestrativo AVES, in IOC (Initial Operational Capability) configuration. The next six rotorcraft will be IOC+, with more advanced capability. The following 49 EH 90s will be delivered to AVES in Full Operational Capability (FOC). The IOC and IOC+ aircraft will be retrofitted to the same advanced standard.
The first AVES operational units to receive the NH 90 will be the 25th Gruppo Squadroni “Cigno” of 7 th Reggimento “Vega” in Rimini, a part of the Brigata Aeromobile “Friuli”, and the 26 th Gruppo Squadroni REOS (Reparto Operazioni Speciali) of the 1st Reggimento “Antares”, based in Viterbo.
The ceremony in Viterbo, besides the formal aspects, was centered on a spectacular tactical flight demonstration (under a rainstorm), with the participation of some fifteen helicopters of various types, including NH 90, AB 205, AB 412 and A 129 CBT, simulating an attack against a hostile area. An interesting static display comprised various helicopter types now in service with the Italian Army: Agusta/Boeing CH-47C Chinook, Agusta A 109A Mk.II (ESC-2), AgustaWestland A 129 CBT (EES), Agusta/Bell AB 205 “Poker Fly” special colours, Agusta/Bell AB 206A MK.II (ESC-2) and Agusta/Bell AB 412. Two of the newest Italian armoured vehicles, the Iveco Lince light personnel transport and the Oto Melara Centauro scout armored vehicle were also on display. Also present two SIAI Marchetti SM.1019 and a Cessna O-1E Bird Dog belonging to the historical heritage of the Italian Army Aviation.

In the picture: NH Industries NH 90 TTH helicopter of the Italian Army during a tactical flight demonstration. Viterbo, March 6, 2008. (Aeromedia)

(Aeromedia, March 2008)