On Display At the 2010 Euronaval Exhibition In France
Eurocopter’s comprehensive portfolio of naval and maritime
helicopters will be highlighted at the 2010 Euronaval exhibition
and conference, including the participation of a fully-equipped
NHIndustries NH90 NATO frigate helicopter – which is entering
service with a growing international operator base.
Eurocopter NH90 File Photo
The Eurocopter participation in this biennial event, being held
this week at Le Bourget near Paris, is to underscore the
company’s decades of experience in naval helicopters. This
expertise has resulted in a product line responding to operational
requirements that range from anti-submarine and anti-surface
warfare to evolving missions such as anti-piracy, anti-smuggling
and the support of special forces.
Shown on the Euronaval static display line will be the NH90 NFH
helicopter, produced by the NHIndustries joint venture of
Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Fokker. Mission equipment displayed
with the NFH includes the Thales FLASH sonar, EUROTORP’s MU90
advanced lightweight torpedo, the MBDA MARTE MK2 S medium-range
anti-ship missile, as well as “harpoon,” deck grid and
SAMAHE securing and traversing equipment. Deliveries of the NH90
NFH began in 2010 to France and the Netherlands. Italy and Norway
will receive their first NH90 NFHs later this year, followed by
Belgium in 2011.
“Equipped with the latest sensors and weaponry, the NH90
NFH offers unrivalled flexibility to achieve the ‘one
ship-one helicopter’ multi-role frigate concept,” said
Eurocopter Executive Vice President – Governmental Programs
Dominique Maudet. “The NH90 program is the largest helicopter
development undertaken in Europe, and its naval capabilities cover
the spectrum from reconnaissance, identification, and tracking to
deterrence, attack, rescue and transport.”
NH90 First Flight 2005 File Photo
Eurocopter’s indoor exhibit at Euronaval will feature
scale models of its other naval and maritime helicopters, including
the AS565 MB Panther, AS365 N3 Dauphin and EC645.The Panther is the
military version of Eurocopter’s twin-engine Dauphin
rotary-wing aircraft, providing a multi-purpose, medium-weight
helicopter tailored for applications that include anti-submarine
warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, Economic
Exclusive Zone (EEZ) surveillance and control patrols, maritime
counter-terrorism, casualty and medical evacuation, as well as
troop and cargo transport