German Army NH90 Display Team

About the Aircraft

The NHIndustries NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) is a versatile, medium-sized, twin-engine military helicopter designed to meet the diverse needs of modern armed forces. As one of the first production helicopters to incorporate fully fly-by-wire flight controls, the NH90 TTH offers enhanced maneuverability and reduced pilot workload through its advanced four-channel control system. The helicopter’s extensive use of composite materials not only contributes to its lightweight structure but also enhances its durability and crashworthiness. Capable of transporting up to 20 fully equipped soldiers, the NH90 TTH is equipped with modular cabin configurations that allow for rapid reconfiguration to suit various mission requirements, including troop transport, medical evacuation, cargo transport, and special operations.

The NH90 TTH is powered by a pair of turboshaft engines, either Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 or General Electric CT7-8F, providing the helicopter with the necessary power for all-weather, day-and-night operations across a wide range of environments. Its advanced avionics suite includes mission-specific systems such as enhanced navigation, communication equipment, and safety features, ensuring operational flexibility and effectiveness in diverse combat and humanitarian scenarios. Additionally, the NH90 TTH is designed with an infrared suppression system to reduce its thermal signature, enhancing its survivability in hostile environments.

Despite its advanced features, the NH90 TTH program has faced challenges, including delays in delivery, high maintenance demands, and software issues, which have led to the early retirement of some fleets. However, ongoing efforts to upgrade avionics, improve maintenance processes, and extend the service life aim to address these issues. As of the mid-2020s, the NH90 TTH continues to serve a dozen countries, fulfilling critical roles in naval search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), troop transport, supply missions, disaster relief, and medical evacuations.

Did You Know?

• The NH90 was the first production helicopter to feature entirely fly-by-wire flight controls.
• The German Army was the first customer to receive the NH90, with deliveries starting in 2006.
• The NH90 was developed as a partnership between France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and later Portugal.
• The NH90 has two main variants: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for land operations and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) for naval missions.
• The German Army NH90 Display Team comes from the Tactical Helicopter Regiment 10 (TrspHubschrRgt 10) based at Faßberg.

NH90 TTH in the German Army

Germany has been a significant operator of the NHIndustries NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH), integrating it into both the German Army and Navy’s operational fleets. The German Army initially procured the TTH variant to enhance its troop transport capabilities, with the first three serial production NH90s delivered in December 2006. By January 2013, the German Army had placed orders for a total of 80 aircraft, showcasing the country’s commitment to modernizing its helicopter fleet. The NH90 TTH has been actively deployed in various missions, including Forward Air Medical Evacuation (FAME) roles in Afghanistan, where up to four German Army NH90s participated in supporting coalition forces.

In 2013, the German government reorganized its NH90 procurement strategy, reducing the Army’s fleet from 122 to 82 helicopters and reallocating 18 NH90s to the Navy’s maritime variant, the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). This strategic shift allowed Germany to bolster its naval operations with the NH90 NFH, enhancing capabilities in search and rescue (SAR) and anti-submarine warfare. The German Navy’s version, known as the NH90 Sea Lion, incorporates specialized equipment like dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing systems, tailored for maritime missions. The Sea Lion variant successfully entered service in June 2020, although initial operationalization faced delays due to technical documentation deficiencies.

Further strengthening its NH90 fleet, Germany approved the purchase of an additional 31 helicopters for the Navy in November 2020, expanding the Sea Lion and introducing the Sea Tiger variant designed for ASW and ship warfare. These acquisitions reflect Germany’s ongoing investment in the NH90 platform to meet evolving defense requirements. The German NH90 TTH continues to play a crucial role in the country’s military operations, supported by continuous upgrades and maintenance efforts to enhance performance, reliability, and mission-specific capabilities.