France signs the contract for the upgrade of the NH90 TTH for the Special Forces

(To Airbus)
12/10/20

NHIndustries and its partners (Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker) have signed a firm contract with the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA - NATO Agency for the management of the helicopter implementation, production and logistics project) for the development of a upgraded NH90 Tactical Troop Helicopter (TTH) for the French Special Forces (TFRA Standard 2). Under the terms of the production contract, the final batch of 10 NH90s already ordered by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, through the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA - Directorate General of the Armament), will be delivered directly with this new standard to the early 2025.

The new features provide a substantial increase in the helicopter's mission capability and position the NH90 as one of the most advanced tactical troop transport helicopters in the world, particularly in difficult conditions such as sand, snow or fog.

The new TFRA Standard 2 configuration will incorporate a Safran-manufactured EuroFLIR ™ Next Generation Electro-Optical System (EOS) with displays and controls for pilots, commandos, machine gunners and load masters. The sensors will provide outputs to carry out updated mission planning on connected screens or tablets up to the time of release.

In addition to the upgraded cockpit, the cabin will be enhanced with a new quick-opening swing door system and a fast winch. This will provide extra capability through the rear of the helicopter with protective fire from the side guns.

Complementing existing equipment such as M3M machine guns and external fuel tanks, other enhancements serving the French Army's Special Forces and Aviation include a next-generation 3D digital map, folding boarding steps and points of additional rope anchors mounted on the ceiling.

In a second phase, the insertion of a Distributed Aperture System (DAS) consisting of fixed infrared cameras that provide 3D vision to a new generation digital display with view on the helmet (Helmet Mounted Sight Digital Display), which provides a unprecedented level of pilot support in the event of low visibility, greatly improving the helicopter's capability in adverse environmental conditions.