19 Dec 2006
The first three latest-generation NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters (TTH) were handed over to the German Army at Eurocopter's Donauwörth facility in the presence of a large group of guests from the German Federal Ministry of Defence, the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement, NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency) as well as the German Army on December 13th, 2006.
The German Army is the first customer to take delivery of the NH90. The aircraft with the serial numbers TGEA02 and TGEA03 will be used for flight training at the German Army Air Corps Weapons School in Bückeburg, while serial number TGEA05 will be used to train maintenance staff.
Qualification of the NH90 TTH was completed by NAHEMA on March 31st this year. German type certification was granted on December 1st, 2006, clearing the way for deliveries initially to the German customer, as well as for the respective national certifications of the NH90 TTH for other NAHEMA and export customers.
The NH90, for which 400 firm orders plus options for more than 100 additional aircraft have been placed to date, is the largest helicopter programme ever launched in Europe. In addition to Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Portugal, customers include Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Oman, Australia and New Zealand. Spain and Belgium have also selected the NH90. Due to its multi-role capability, the NH90 is able to fulfill a large variety of missions and has been chosen for Army, Air Force, Navy and SAR services.