NH90 helicopter achieves sustainable fuel milestone
The test flight of the NH90 with SAF was preceded by bench testing of the engine. (Photo: DGA)
The sustainable aviation fuel used in the test flight of an NH90 required no modification to the helicopter or its RTM322 engines.
France’s DGA defence procurement agency has carried out the first test flight of an NHI NH90 helicopter with one of its two Safran RTM322 engines running on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
This flight took place on 3 February 2023 at the DGA Essais en vol test centre in Istres, marking a first for a military helicopter with such a high content of SAF, and without any engine modification. The fuel supplied by TotalEnergies meets aviation industry objectives of accelerating decarbonisation without making modifications to aircraft, engine or logistics infrastructure (drop-in fuel).
This was preceded by bench testing at Safran Helicopter Engines' Bordes facility, validating use of this fuel on the RTM322, in December 2022.
Related Articles
DGA missile test unit puts surveillance on a tether
Safran signs engine support contract for New Zealand NH90 fleet
Indra to help develop third NH90 sim for Spain
Christian Caneilles, head of heavy helicopter engines programmes at Safran, said: 'This is an important step in our roadmap for the large-scale deployment of SAF, which will kick-start a decarbonisation process within the armed forces to gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium’s star is on the rise]()
Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium’s star is on the rise
The medium airlift aircraft is swiftly becoming the top pick for an array of countries wishing to enhance their tactical transport capabilities.
-
![Norway contributes NOK 700 million to Ukraine drone donation]()
Norway contributes NOK 700 million to Ukraine drone donation
Other countries, including Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Latvia, have also donated funds towards drones and maritime training for Ukraine.
-
![Lockheed secures more than $12 billion in contracts for F-35 production and TR-3 upgrades]()
Lockheed secures more than $12 billion in contracts for F-35 production and TR-3 upgrades
The contracts include a $678.4-million contract for F-35 modification kits, along with an earlier December 2024 contract worth $11.7 billion for the production and delivery of 145 F-35 Lot 18 aircraft.
-
![Saudi Arabia “considering its options” with potential 100 Kaan jet acquisition]()
Saudi Arabia “considering its options” with potential 100 Kaan jet acquisition
Despite local media reports, an analyst has suggested that the country could be using these discussions as a way to gain bargaining power to bolster its bid to join the Global Combat Air Programme.
-
![Boeing wins $615 million USAF contract for F-15 electronic warfare system production]()
Boeing wins $615 million USAF contract for F-15 electronic warfare system production
Work on the F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) kit production is expected to conclude by 2030. It will provide the USAF’s F-15E and F-15EX aircraft with the latest electronic warfare (EW) countermeasure system.
