NAHEMA contracts NHI for NH90 Block 2 study
An artist's impression of the NH90 Block 2 helicopter being developed for the 2040+ timeframe. NAHEMA contracted NHI to launch the NH90 Block 2 architecture study on 20 April 2026. (NHI)
The NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) has contracted NHIndustries (NHI) to launch the NH90 Block 2 architecture study.
Announced on 20 April 2026 by the NAHEMA agency in charge of the NH90 programme, the contract will see the NHI consortium of Airbus, Leonardo and GKN Aerospace formally begin studies for what will effectively amount to a mid-life upgrade (MLU) for the primary Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) rotorcraft versions of the NH90.
“The Block 2 upgrade will include key structural improvements to the aircraft such as modular avionics, greater configuration commonality, improved maintenance and performance, as well as new capabilities in the fields of collaborative combat, connectivity and crewed-uncrewed teaming,” primary stakeholder Airbus said.
As noted in the announcement, the study contract will run for two-years with the goal of developing a fieldable raft of upgrades for the 2040+ timeframe. “The goal of the architecture study is to deliver the critical technical outputs necessary for NAHEMA, and the [operator] nations to evaluate and select the upgrade design options that best align with their long-term sovereign capability needs,” Airbus said, adding that the study will run in parallel with the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) initiatives.
The Block 2 studies contract is valued at EUR15 million (USD18 million).
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