ARCHIVES : NEWS 2003
12
December 2003
NH90 Helicopter flies full Fly-By-Wire
(Source: NH Industries; issued Dec. 12, 2003)
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France --- We are very proud to announce for the first time on the world that the NH90 PT3 successfully flies today in Marignane with full Fly-by-Wire (without mechanical back-up).
The trial started at 10.30 a.m. during 50 minutes, the NH90 was flown by :
- Philippe Boutry, experimental test pilot,
- Denis Trivier, flight test engineer, and
- Jean-Claude Rabany, flight engineer.
The PT3 has been converted to the full FBW configuration representative of the
serial production. We remind that four NH90 prototypes (PT2, 3, 4 and 5) were
equipped with an initial mixed system, FBW on the pilot station and mechanical
back-up on the co-pilot station, fitted in the development phase for safety
reasons. In accordance with the NH90 Programme schedule the PT3 will be
dedicated to the system qualification flights planned into the FBW maturity
programme, together with the participation of the PT4, next to be transformed
in full FBW.
The NH90 first flight of a medium size transport helicopter equipped with FBW
ever happened in the world represents a major landmark for the NH90 Programme
and for the whole community of NAHEMA, end users, industrial partners, and NHIndustries
originating this success. On this occasion NHIndustries is very pleased to mark
the concurrence with the Centennial commemoration of the first sustained controlled
powered flight of the history of the Wright brothers in Kitty Hawk (12-17 December
1903).
A hundred years of continuous technological evolution in aeronautics to which the NHIndustries Partner Companies largely contributed.
27
October 2003
Unison wins European contract
Agusta Aerospace Inc. of Italy awarded Unison Industries a contract for the
design and development of two electrical wiring harnesses for Europe's new NH90
helicopters, Unison announced Monday. Unison will develop the FADEC to Engine
Harnesses at its headquarters in Jacksonville and manufacture follow-on production
harnesses at its facility in Saltillo, Mexico. The deal, for an undisclosed
amount, will not create jobs in Jacksonville, said Angela Milligan, marketing
administrator.
The Agusta contract includes two Unison harnesses, one for each engine. The
harnesses are multibranched to carry signals from the engine to the Full Authority
Digital Electronic Control unit. Special connector contacts, which are included
in the design, provide electrical conductivity.
"Unison has extensive expertise with the NH90 engine," said Dan Warchol, Unison's
harness product line manager, in a news release. "This knowledge will be beneficial
as we work the interface connection with Agusta."
The NH90 is a twin-engine, multirole helicopter developed to meet requirements
of naval and tactical transport operations. The NH90 is managed through NH-Industries,
which includes Agusta, Eurocopter, Eurocopter Deutschland, and Fokker. The Italian
military will begin accepting delivery of the helicopters in 2004.
Ann Candler King
© 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.
24
October 2003
25 Years of Helicopter Production in Donauwörth - Opening of the new
Flight-Test Hangar signifies Growth at Eurocopter Deutschland
27
September 2003
NHIndustries and Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali (CIRA) signed
a new contract
Naples (Italy) - On last september 27, NHIndustries and Centro Italiano Ricerche
Aerospaziali (CIRA) signed a contract for the performance of icing wind tunnel
tests on the main rotor blade and main rotor blade tip cap of the NH90 helicopter.
The contract also included options for additional icing tests on the tail rotor
blade. The value of the contract was about 2.5 million Euro covering the cost
of more than 100 icing tests aimed to achieve the qualification of the main
rotor blade ice protection system. The tests will start at the beginning of
2004 and will take more than 10 months for their completion.
Ludovico Vecchione, CIRA Ground Testing Facility Manager, reminds that “This
is the second contract in a row that CIRA garnered for NH90 icing qualification
activities". In fact, last February 17, CIRA received a first contract from
NAHEMA, the agency in charge of the production and logistics management of the
NH90, for performing icing test on a full scale mock-up of the T700E1 air intake.”
At the press meeting, held after the signature cerimony, Gerard Matrepierre,
NHIndustries General Manager, said: "We turned to CIRA for our testing needs
since we found out they have both the tecnological and the management capability
necessary for the execution of the NH90 rotary components icing test".
CIRA Icing Wind Tunnel (IWT) is a brand new facility capable to provide a very
wide range of icing tests within the current FAR25 and FAR 29 certification
envelopes. Being the world largest refrigerated tunnel having a size bigger
than US icing facilities, the IWT allows full scale components tests. Vecchione
reminds that: “Among the most peculiar features, the IWT facility may simulate
altitude up to 21,000 feet, air velocity in excess of 400 kts, air temperature
down to –40°C and relative humdity between 70% RH and 99.9 % providing a complete
cloud simulation including droplet diameters and liquid water content”.
At the end of the meeting, Gerard Matrepierre added: “NHIndustries has been
strongly impressed not only by the quality of the facility performance, but
even more, by the competence of the facility team members“.
>> CIRA website
11
September 2003
Leading Contender in Maritime Helicopter Project - NH90 -Performs First
Demonstration Flight in Ottawa
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Sept. 11, 2003)
OTTAWA --- A leading contender in the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Replacement
Program (MHP) made its debut on the American continent today in Ottawa. NHIndustries
NH90 helicopter demonstrated its outstanding maneuverability and superior handling
capabilities to the media at the Canadian Aviation Museum.
The NH90 is along with the Tiger - an attack helicopter from Eurocopter - one
of only two helicopters in the world capable of performing these flight maneuvers.
As announced in June of this year, NHIndustries, Lockheed Martin Canada and
Thales Systems Canada have teamed up to assemble a bid that will fully satisfy
all of the operational and performance requirements of the Canadian Maritime
Helicopter Project (MHP).
“NH Industries has teamed up with the only Canadian prime contractor in the
competition to create an outstanding proposal benefiting from the strengths
of the two world-wide leaders in helicopters and mission systems” said Olivier
Francou, Area Sales Director for NHIndustries.
“The NH90 has been designed from start to finish as a maritime helicopter for
deployment of medium sized frigates,” said Dan Spoor, President, Lockheed Martin
Canada. “Nine NATO nations have already selected the NH90 and it has been successful
in every competition it has entered against the two platforms competing for
the Canadian program. We’re confident that this aircraft provides the best value
and would be the responsible choice to replace the Sea King helicopters.”
The 9th European customer was confirmed just last week when the government of
Greece signed a purchase contract for 20 NH90 helicopters plus an option for
another 14. This contract now brings the NH90 sales record up to 325 firm orders
and options for a further 86. These numbers were achieved within a very short
period, two years after the first production contract was award.
Mr. Francou concluded: “The combined teaming between the world’s most technologically
advanced helicopter and the world’s premiere system integrator will deliver
an exceptional weapon system at an affordable price to the Canadian forces.
The Lockheed Martin Canada / NHIndustries/Thales Systems Canada solution is
clearly the best choice for Canada.”
Thanks to Vincent Pirard for the news
01
September 2003
Greece orders 20 NH90 (plus 14 in option) and becomes the 9th customer
to be equipped with the NH90
The Hellenic Ministry of Defense has signed a contract for 20 NH90 helicopters for the Greek Army - 12 tactical transports and four Special Operations aircraft with deliveries starting in late 2005. An option for 12 more transports and two additional Special Operations helicopters will stretch deliveries through 2010. The latest contract gives the NH90 program 325 firm orders and 86 options. The helicopters will be powered by Rolls-Royce Turboméca RTM322 engines, making Greece the eighth of nine NH90 customers to select the RTM322. The RTM322 qualification program on NH90 will be finished by the end of this year to begin deliveries to Germany and Finland in early 2004.
24
June 2003
New photos of NH90 at the Paris Air Show 2003
24
June 2003
Stork Aerospace Delivers First Tail Section
For NH90 Helicopter
(Source: Stork Aero; issued June 3, 2003)
Stork Aerospace in Papendrecht today delivered the first complete tail section for the new NH90 helicopter. This delivery marks the start of series production for the European NH90 helicopter program by the Dutch industry. This program is a joint effort by the international NHI consortium, consisting of Eurocopter (France and Germany), Agusta (Italy) and Stork Aerospace (Netherlands). Production was initially intended to reach a total of 254 aircraft for use by the participating countries. In addition, the project is developing into a successful export program, with orders now received from 3 countries for a further 52 helicopters.
The contribution to the European consortium by the Dutch industry, for which Stork Aerospace acts as national consortium leader, comprises the design and production of:
--The complete tail sections (Stork Aerospace)
--The cabin doors (Stork Aerospace)
--The wheel housings (Stork Aerospace)
--The landing gear (SP aerospace&vehicle systems)
--A software module for the main computer (Netherlands National Aerospace Laboratory NLR)
The operating company involved in this project, Stork Fokker, part of Stork Aerospace, makes as much use as possible of advanced composite materials for the construction of the tail sections, sponsors and doors to reduce weight.
The Dutch participation in the project represents 5.5% of the total program value. The initial series production of 254 aircraft involves a turnover for Dutch industry of approximately Euro 200 million (as announced in 2000), to be spread over a period of 15 years. The 52 additional aircraft ordered by Finland, Norway and Sweden, represent a further turnover of approximately Euro 40 million. Interest is also being shown by other countries outside Europe.
The NH90 is a medium-weight military helicopter which will be used for tactical transport and anti-submarine operations. In the Netherlands the NH90 will replace the Lynx helicopters of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Characteristics of the NH90 include its excellent handling qualities (fly-by-wire) and the extensive use of composite materials, which enable maintenance costs to be significantly reduced throughout the lifecycle. All innovations have been successfully tested on a total of five prototypes during the Design & Development phase. The governments of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands subsequently signed a production contract in 2000 with the consortium (which was joined by Portugal in 2001). The final assembly will take place in France, Germany and Italy. The first series-produced helicopter is scheduled to fly in 2004.
Stork Aerospace designs and produces structural components and wiring systems for commercial and military aircraft and aerospace applications. The group achieved a turnover of Euro 411 million in 2002 with 3,225 employees, out of the total Stork turnover of Euro 2 billion.
15
June 2003
(in
french)
Au printemps 2003, le NH90 a réalisé la quasi-totalité de ses essais de développement et environ un tiers des essais de qualification, l'objectif étant de venir à bout de ces derniers avant le printemps 2004 pour la version terrestre (TTH) et environ un an plus tard pour la version marine (NFH).
Les derniers mois ont été marqués par quelques étapes importantes :
- L'essai de crash test (réalisé le 24 octobre 2002 à Ottobrunn), avec un impact vertical, train sorti, à la vitesse de 10.6 m/s (38.18 km/h).
- Les essais en vol avec emport de charges extérieures (faits avec le prototype PT2) simulant des réservoirs de 450 kg pour le TTH, des torpilles Murène françaises ou des missiles Marte italiens pour la version NFH.
- La campagne "temps froid", réalisée au début de l'année 2003 dans le Nord du Canada (cf. photo de spotter). Le prototype allemand PT4 a été soumis à des températures extrêmes (jusqu'à -40°C). Ce même prototype avait subi - auparavant - une série de tests "temps chaud", "temps froid" dans une chambre climatique à Bourges.
- Les essais de validation des entrées d'air à la neige, réalisés dans un centre d'essais privés près de Nantes.
- La troisième campagne d'appontages, débutée au priintemps avec le prototype italien PT5, et mettant pour la première fois en oeuvre tous les systèmes dédiés (harpon, éléments de flottabilité). Le PT5 sert également à finir la mise au point des systèmes navals sous-marins (sonar, bouées), après celle des systèmes de surface (radar, FLIR).
- La campagne "temps chaud", prévue cet été en Sicile avec le prototype italien PT5
- Les essais statiques de structure, qui débuteront cet été également en Allemagne sur une cellule construite spécialement
- Les dispositions du contrat de série ayant prévu une masse maximale acrrue de 10 à 10.6 tonnes, des essais seront conduits une fois les modifications du rotor et des commandes de vol effectués. Ces modifications concernent le prototype PT3.
- Des essais de commandes de vol uniquement électriques (sans "back-up" mécanique), donc en configuration "série" et non plus "prototype", seront prévus en juillet 2003 avec le PT3 et le PT4 (pour un totale de 200 heures de vol).
- D'autres essais de performances réalisés sur le PT3 d'ici à la fin de l'année.
- La phase finale de mise au point du système de mission de la version TTH, réalisée avec le PT4 sur lequel auront été installés un radar météo et un lecteur de cartes.
- Des essais relatifs à la maintenabilité des appareils, impliquant le PT2 ; le PT2 qui a pratiquement terminé son programme de vol.
- La validation du système de dégivrage, prévue lors de l'hiver 2003/2004.
(© Planet Aerospace n°3-2003)
15
June 2003
French defend maritime copter (in Canada)
A French-led helicopter consortium went on the attack yesterday
to counter allegations that it is offering an inferior product to the Canadian
Forces while benefiting from political favouritism in the $3-billion race to
replace the Sea Kings.
NHIndustries broke its silence after weeks of negative publicity.
Olivier Francou said the European consortium's NH-90 is a state-of-the-art helicopter
that compares favourably to the other two aircraft in the running. Mr. Francou
pointed out that the Anglo-Italian EH-101 Cormorant, built by AgustaWestland,
was designed in the 1970s, while the U.S.-built Sikorsky S-92 has yet to be
sold to any military in the world.
Mr. Francou said the NH-90 has been sweeping contracts in recent years in Europe
with its brand-new product, designed for members of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
"It is the latest-available technology," he said. "Fifteen armed forces have
selected this aircraft after a competitive process comparable to what's going
on now in Canada.
" NHIndustries felt it had to speak out after the Canadian Alliance, top military
officers, Liberal MPs and former bureaucrats came out in support of Cormorant
and accused the government of rigging the process in favour of the NH-90. Critics
said that Ottawa has bowed to French requests to dilute the requirements for
the new helicopter to allow the NH-90 to be in the running.
While the NH-90 and the S-92 operate on two engines, the Cormorant flies on
three and offers more power and size. The Cormorant is more expensive, however,
and is at a disadvantage in the race given that the contract will be awarded
to the lowest-cost bidder.
Mr. Francou said his helicopter meets all of Canada's requirements for new naval
helicopters, and deserves to win if it is least costly.
"There is sometimes the impression that there is only one product that meets
the needs of the Canadian Forces," Mr. Francou said, referring to the Cormorant.
"That is totally absurd.
" In 1993, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien scrapped a deal signed by the previous
Conservative government awarding AgustaWestland a $4.8-billion contract to replace
Canada's Sea Kings and Labrador search-and-rescue helicopters. Critics have
accused Mr. Chrétien of doing everything in his power to prevent AgustaWestland
from getting the new contract.
A briefing memo to Defence Minister John McCallum last year shows the tight
links between federal officials and the French government.
The memo contains several deletions.
Under the heading "current consultations," officials told the minister that
they had had "extensive dialogue with [blank] and senior French bureaucrats
on action required to enable [their helicopter's] participation."
Mr. Francou said that it was standard for governments to lobby on behalf of
their companies and that he expects all countries with companies in the running
to do the same.
Asked about the helicopter deal during an interview last week, French Prime
Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin was clearly on top of the issue. He immediately
brought up the case of Montreal-based Bombardier Inc.
Mr. Raffarin noted that Bombardier had won a $2.3-billion deal in 2001 to supply
France's state-owned railways with 500 Regional Express trains even though Alsthom,
a major competitor of Bombardier in the rail equipment market, is based in France.
Mr. Raffarin said that France could have taken a "closed attitude" to the contract,
implying that the outcome for Bombardier might have been different.
The Globe and Mail revealed last month that France's Eurocopter -- the main
player in NHIndustries -- had lobbied Canada's ambassador to Paris, Raymond
Chrétien, in 2001. Mr. Chrétien relayed the company's concerns directly to the
Prime Minister's Office and the Privy Council Office, where action was quickly
taken to address them.
The Department of National Defence has lowered the specifications for the new
helicopters to allow more companies to qualify.
Federal briefings to Mr. McCallum showed the specifications on the new helicopter's
lift capabilities were reduced by about 1,000 kg, as the government has decided
to require the helicopter to carry a smaller payload than first planned.
© 2003 Bell Globemedia
Interactive Inc.
20
May 2003
Rumor : NH90 for RNZAF (New Zealand)
??
The New Zealand military would be seriousely interested for
the purchase of 12 NH90's for their air force....
## Feb 24, 2003 | ## 24 Fév 2003 |
Eurocopter records an increasing number of "plantings" of calculators on its helicopters Tigre and NH90 in production. If the origin of the problem were identified (German supplier), the European helicopterist still did not find a solution with the problem... (source: La Lettre de l'Expansion n°1647 (French)). |
Eurocopter enregistre un nombre croissant de "plantages" de calculateurs sur ses hélicoptères Tigre et NH90 en cours de production. Si l'origine du problème a été identifiée (fournisseur allemand), l'hélicoptériste européen n'a toujours pas trouvé de solution au problème... (source : La Lettre de l'expansion n°1647). |
## Feb 13, 2003 | ## 13 Fév 2003 |
Airbus
Beluga F-GSTC transported several helicopters for Eurocopter for display
at the 2003 Australian International Airshow, including the NH90 seen being
towed. The NH90 prototype is the PT2 (F-ZWTI). |
Le Beluga a acheminé plusieurs hélicoptères Eurocopter dans le cadre du "Australian International Airshow. On aperçoit le NH90 en avant-plan à gauche. Le prototype présenté est le PT2 (F-ZWTI). |
Avalon
(Geelong) - Australia - Victoria, February 13,
2003 |
## Feb 11, 2003 | ## 11 Fév 2003 |
NH90 helicopter and A340-600 both photographed in Iqaluit Canada. Both aircraft were conducting cold weather trials in the airfield. | L'hélicoptère NH90 et l'Airbus A340-600 photographiés à Iqualuit au Canada. Les deux appareils sont soumis à des essais en conditions givrantes. |
Iqaluit CYFB - Canada - Nunavut, February 11, 2003 Photographer : Mikko Pietilä Photo Copyright © Mikko Pietilä - Airliners.net |
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