New Zealand has achieved a global first in the field of military aviation. The RNZAF’s NH90 fleet has been fully upgraded with new software and equipment that now enables the helicopters to operate without restriction in the country’s controlled civil airspace. Initially planned as a three-year process in Europe, the entire upgrade was completed in just four weeks at RNZAF Base Ohakea, setting a new benchmark in fleet sustainment operations.
The NH90 is a multirole military helicopter developed by the NH Industries consortium (France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) to meet NATO operational standards. It is available in two primary configurations: the TTH for land-based missions and the NFH for maritime operations. It features a carbon fibre fuselage, sliding side doors, a hydraulic rear ramp, and a four-blade composite main rotor. The helicopter can carry up to 20 troops, 12 stretchers, or 2,500 kg of cargo, including small armoured vehicles. Its onboard systems include FLIR, weather radar, a digital map generator, a helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD), and secure communication capabilities. Powered by either two Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 or General Electric T700 turboshaft engines, the NH90 can cruise at 300 km/h with a maximum range of 982 km. The naval version can be armed with torpedoes, air-to-surface, or air-to-air missiles, while the land version can be equipped with a machine gun or 20 mm cannon.