NHIndustries
| Company type | Consortium |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo S.p.A., Fokker Aerostructures |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | NHIndustries NH90 helicopter family |
| Parent | Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo S.p.A., Fokker Aerostructures |
| Website | www |
NHIndustries (NHI) is a helicopter production company founded in 1992, serving as the lead contractor responsible for the design, development, manufacturing, and support of the NHIndustries NH90 helicopter family under the NATO Helicopter Management Agency. This consortium is formed by Airbus Helicopters (France and Germany), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), and Fokker Aerostructures (Netherlands).
History
The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-turbine military rotorcraft created to satisfy NATO's operational needs for both land and maritime environments. The initiative commenced in 1985 with participation from France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and initially the United Kingdom, which withdrew in 1987. In 1992, NHIndustries entered into a design and development agreement with NAHEMA, representing France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands; Portugal became a member in 2001.
Design activities launched in 1993, culminating in three prototype flights conducted between 1995 and 1998. By 2002, the NH90 was distinguished as the first helicopter to operate exclusively using fly-by-wire technology. The platform is available in two principal versions: Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), sharing approximately 75% of their components. Tailored configurations are provided according to specific client requirements.
Despite encountering technological and financial obstacles throughout its development phase, a significant production contract valued at US$8.6 billion for 366 units was awarded in 2000 by partner nations. Subsequent orders have been placed from various regions including Europe, Asia, and Australia; by April 2013, total orders had reached 529 helicopters.
Manufacturing responsibilities are allocated among stakeholders as follows:
- Airbus Helicopters France (31.25%): engines, rotor assemblies, electrical systems, flight control mechanisms, core avionics
- Airbus Helicopters Germany (31.25%): forward and center fuselage sections, fuel systems, communications equipment, avionics controls
- Fokker Aerostructures (5.5%): tail assembly, doors, sponsons, landing gear components
- AgustaWestland/Leonardo (32%): aft fuselage, main gearbox, hydraulic systems, flight control units, power plant integration, NFH mission system
Final assembly takes place across six sites: Marignane (France), Tessera (Italy), Donauwörth (Germany), Halli (Finland), Brisbane (Australia), and Albacete (Spain). The Marignane facility has an annual production capacity of up to 22 NH90 helicopters.
Operational deployment commenced in 2007 with the German Army; the Royal Netherlands Navy received its initial naval NFH model in 2010. To address production efficiency and delivery challenges caused by variant diversity, NHIndustries introduced a streamlined baseline airframe adaptable to customer specifications. Production cycle times were reduced from 18 months in 2004 to 7.5 months by 2016. Global manufacturing output peaked at 53 units in 2014. By January 2017, the NH90 fleet had accumulated over 127,000 flight hours within the armed forces of thirteen countries.