Digital technologies come to the fore for French SOF NH90s
Helicopters already on order will be produced to a new advanced standard for French SOF
French SOF will operate 10 NH90 TTH troop transport helicopters from 2025 with new digital technologies, under a production contract from the NATO Helicopter Management Agency.
The deal with NHIndustries and its partner companies (Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker) is worth an undisclosed sum.
The 10 NH90 TTHs had previously been ordered by French procurement agency DGA but they will now be produced to the enhanced TFRA Standard 2.
New features include a ‘substantial increase in the helicopter’s mission capability’ including poor-visibility operations, Airbus Helicopters and NHIndustries noted in a 12 October joint press release.
TFRA Standard 2 also encompasses a new-generation EuroFLIR EO system from Safran.
Cockpit sensors will provide outputs to undertake updated mission planning on connected screens or tablets right up to the moment of egress.
As well as existing equipment such as M3M machine guns and external fuel tanks, other improvements for French SOF include a new digital 3D map, folding boarding steps and additional ceiling-mounted rope anchor points.
Nathalie Tarnaud-Laude, head of the NH90 programme at Airbus Helicopters and president of NHIndustries, added that the aim is to offer the same kind of digital technologies to other NH90 customers.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the French Army has ordered 74 NH-90TTH helicopters from NHIndustries, with 38 already delivered.
Australia also plans to introduce an SOF capability for the NH90, with new gun mounts, a rear sniping position, tactical satellite communications, an HD multi-sensor turret, a 500 kg external fuel tank, fast roping and extraction devices, a third crew position and crew tablets for enhanced situational awareness.
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