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Aviation History
1998
1998 - 2337.PDF
HEUCOPTERS even when there is neither a APU nor engine power", says Lafargue. This enables die rotor blades to be positioned correctly for starting, brakes to be applied and to operate the mid- fuselage harpoon for deck locking. Environmental control is divided into three independent zones - cockpit, cabin and the main avionics bays. The first two use vapour cycle conditioning, and the latter filtered exter nal air to keep the temperature below 70° C. Engine exhaust infrared suppressors are now in development and will soon be installed on PT2 to validate their function. They are designed to divert the hot exhaust gas upwards dirough the low-mounted rotor blades, and are simpler and lighter than the larger ram-air type used on die Eurocopter Tiger, which in its for ward battlefield role is more likely to be in die direct line of fire. The NH90 is equipped with a "classic" tricy cle-type landing gear, die main gear retracting into die side sponsons, which also house various antennae and the flotation collars. No extra fuel is carried in the sponsons, altiiough Lafargue says die option "may be provided in die future". CRASH RESISTANCE Fuel is carried under the floor to preserve die centre of gravity as it is consumed, avoiding die need for compensation in die flight control sys tem. Crash resistance, which is provided by a crushable zone and a non-deformable zone between die tank and outside skin, has been fully demonstrated in drop tests. A maximum 2tof internal fuel can be carried, providing for the 4h NFH mission, with a 20min loiter time. Extra fuel capacity will be available in forward tanks (still to be developed) which will replace die nose-mounted anti-sub marine/anti-surface weapons on the front of the aircraft's cabin. The complexity of the tasks diat will be assigned to NH90 crews, particularly in die naval role, has driven the development of • •/.u'liiv'.iHi^.ViyPii, ii Ka;/;fli^'::^:i'iii^ EUROCOPTER FRANCE (41.6%) Cockpit development, rotors and blades, core avionics and flight control system, powerplants and flight testing of basic prototypes. EUROCOPTER GERMANY (23.7%) Centre section, fuel system, avionics, tactical transport mission equipment package and flight tests of army prototype. AGUSTA (28.2%) Main gearbox, iron bird test rig, hydraulic sys tem, naval mission equipment package and flight tests of naval prototype. FOKKER SERVICES (6.5%) Tail section, landing gear design, sliding doors, windtunnel testing. FUgHZ GIUSEPPE P1CARELLA 98 Automatic main rotor and tail folding mechanism Magnetic anomaly detector Sonobuoylauncher Flotation bag location Sonic sonar Anti-submarine/anti-surface weapon compatible heavy stores carrier - MU90 torpedo shown G 360' tactical radar H FLIR J Rescue hoist - shown stowed NFH PERFORMANCE Maximum gross weight Mission design weight Maximum cruise speed Economical cruise speed 10.000kg 9,100kg 157kt 140kt Hover ceiling (ISA) OGE IGE Maximum range Ferry range Maximum endurance 8,525ft >10,820ft >950km >l,200km 5h Rate of climb 2,165ft/min Flying time 90km from base 3.3h + 20min reserves Primarily designed for autonomous anti submarine and anti-ship warfare, but also for support, vertical replenishment, search and rescue and troop transport. Capable of all-weather operations from small or large ships in extreme weather, mission prepa ration being helped by the use of the har poon deck lock, designed to exert a 5t downwards force on the airframe to keep the parked aircraft in position. The NFH has a 360° track-while-scan radar with tar get recognition capability, electronic war fare system, forward-looking infrared, stores management system and a data recording system. A wide range of anti- ship/anti-submarine weapons and torpe- dos are offered as options. The NFH is also fitted with a dedicated tactical control sys tem, responsible for the same functions as for the TTH, but additionally equipped with an attack function for over-the-hori- zon targeting. A dedicated network is pro vided which distributes video imagery of sonobuoy releases and dipping sonar operations to the cockpit and cabin multi function displays. NH 90 Programme architecture France Germany J I NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) Representative Nations Italy I The Netherlands NH Industries (NHI) Prime contractor Agusta Eurocopter France Eurocopter Germany Fokker FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 2 - 8 September 1998 97
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