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Naval
Forces News - Netherlands |
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Royal
Netherlands Navy NH90 NFH Helicopter first operational deployment for
Somalia Mission |
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The
newest helicopter of the Dutch Armed Forces, the NH90 is aboard HNLMS
De Ruyter Frigate on its way to Somalia. It is the first overseas mission
for the maritime helicopter. The NH90 will provide an important contribution
to the EU anti-piracy mission Atalanta.
The board helicopter will be mainly used for intelligence, reconnaissance
and patrol and thus will act as the 'eyes and ears' of the frigate.
With advanced detection equipment such as EO/IR sensor, radar and gauge
collected information can then be forwared quickly and automatically
via a data link.
The helicopter crew consists of a pilot, a coordinator for the tactical
execution of the mission and an operator who operates the sensors and
analyzes if necessary onboard weapons deployment. For helicopter operations
from HNLMS De Ruyter, a total of 13 men are onboard. |
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Netherland's
NH90 NFH Maritime Helicopter
(Picture: Dutch Ministry of Defence)
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The NHIndustries
NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter.
The maritime version, called the NFH (for Nato Frigate Helicopter),
is designed for autonomous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface
unit warfare (ASuW), mainly from naval ships. These aircraft are equipped
for day and night, adverse weather and severe ship motion operations. |
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HNLMS De
Ruyter Frigate
(Picture: Dutch Ministry of Defence) |
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The
frigate HNLMS De Ruyter left her home port of Den Helder on January
20th 2013 for counterpiracy operations in the waters around Somalia.
For this mission, the EU's Operation Atalanta, the ship is carrying
the new NH-90 helicopter, which will see its first operational deployment.
The air defence and command frigate has extensive command & control,
communications and data facilities. Her crew number 220 military personnel,
including an enhanced boarding element of the Marine Corps, a heavily
armed specialist team which can board suspect vessels. In addition,
there is a medical team on board, as well as the crew of the helicopter. |
