13 June 2022
by Gareth Jennings
A full-scale mock-up of the NH90 special forces configuration was displayed at the Eurosatory 2022 event in Paris. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The French Ministry of Armed Forces showcased the special forces configuration it is developing for the NHIndustries (NHI) NH90 helicopter, with a cabin mock-up displayed at the Eurosatory 2022 event in Paris.
France is to convert at least 10 of its 74 NH90 tactical transport helicopter (TTH) platforms to a new special operations forces (SOF) configuration, to be designated Standard 2/NH90 FS (Forces Spéciales).
With the main cabin mock-up shown at Eurosatory from 13 to 17 June, the head of the NH90 programme at Airbus Helicopters and NHI, Nathalie Tarnaud-Laude, outlined some of the significant features of the work, and noted that the consortium that builds the NH90 is to roll out the Standard 2 upgrade in two steps.
“The Standard 2 [being developed for French special forces] is about adding the Euroflir EOS [electro-optical system] from Safran, the provision of the future DAS [defensive aids suite] from Safran and a new [TopOwl] colour HMD [helmet-mounted display] from Thales, a new digital map, a new larger cargo door to allow special forces to exit much quicker, and an enlarged rear window on the side of the aircraft which can fit a gun,” Tarnaud-Laude told Janes and other defence media ahead of the event, adding, “There will be two steps, and Step 1 is the one we are currently passing. One of the requirements of us was that if we are going to do this in two steps, the second step would not involve a heavy retrofit.”
Already a Janes subscriber? Read the full article via the
Client Login
Interested in subscribing, see What we do
The French Ministry of Armed Forces showcased the special forces configuration it is developing for ...