Leonardo delivers the first two NH90 NFH naval helicopters to Qatar.

According to information published by Leonardo on April 7, 2022, the first two NH90 helicopters, dedicated to naval missions, of the Qatar Emiri Air Force were delivered from Leonardo’s Venice Tessera final assembly line (Italy).
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Two Qatari NH90 NFH naval helicopters (Picture source: Defense Here Ar)

The Qatar Emiri Air Force is one of the NH90 End Users to operate both the TTH and NFH versions of the NH90 for a number of land operations and naval missions.

As well as acting as prime contractor for the overall programme, Leonardo is responsible for the final assembly and delivery of the 12 NH90 NFH helicopters from its Venice Tessera facility. The company is also providing a support and training services package for crews and maintenance technicians.

Managed through the NHIndustries joint venture, the NH90 is the largest military helicopter programme in Europe. Nearly 470 units are in service worldwide and the platform has logged nearly 330,000 flight hours in a wide range of weather and environmental conditions, over land and sea.

Another major programme achievement in the Qatar Emiri Air Force’s NH90 programme was made on 31 March with the delivery of the first two NFH naval variant helicopters.

The aircraft handover, achieved in accordance with contractual commitments, was performed during an official ceremony held at Leonardo’s Venice Tessera NH90 final assembly line (Italy) in the presence of Qatar Emiri Air Force, Leonardo and NHI representatives.

This event follows the delivery of the first TTH aircraft for land operations from Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Marignane (France) in December 2021, while the second TTH was handed over recently. The first NFH naval helicopter had its public premiere in Qatar on 18 December 2021 during National Day.

QATAR’S NH90 PROGRAMME BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Qatar’s NH90 programme includes 16 NH90 TTHs for land operations, 12 NH90 NFHs for naval missions, comprehensive support, maintenance & training services package and associated infrastructure.

The Qatar Emiri Air Force is one of the few NH90 End Users to operate both the TTH and NFH versions of the NH90 for a number of land operations and naval missions. The programme has the potential to be extended in the future with the addition of 6 + 6 units in a mixture of TTH and NFH variants.

Leonardo is the prime contractor for the overall programme and is also responsible for the final assembly and delivery of the 12 NH90 NFH helicopters from its Venice Tessera facility.

The company is also supplying simulators, training aids and extensive maintenance support and training services packages for aircrews and maintenance technicians.

Leonardo is providing, contributing to or supporting the integration of various avionics and sensor payloads, including the Leonardo LEOSS-T HD electro-optical system, HD Mission Video Recorder, Automatic Identification System, Tactical video link and Full HD display for cabin consoles. Airbus Helicopters is responsible for carrying out the final assembly of the 16 NH90 TTH aircraft. Deliveries will continue through to 2025.

LEONARDO CONTRIBUTION TO THE NH90 HELICOPTER

Leonardo is responsible for or contributes to, the design, production and integration of a wide range of critical NH90 components and systems.

These include the rear fuselage, main gearbox hydraulic system, upper modes of the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), plant management system, power plant integration, NFH mission system (integrating sonar, radar, electro-optics, tactical link, electronic warfare system, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator, mission video recording and weapon systems management including air-to-surface missiles and torpedoes for Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Anti-Submarine (ASW) missions.

Leonardo also integrates additional capabilities such as the Laser Obstacle Avoidance Monitoring (LOAM) system and the LEOSS-T electro-optical system (also selected by the German Navy for their new NH90 Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter Programme), as well as pintle-mounted Gatling-type guns, for specific customers.