EUROCOPTER RESEARCH IN COMPOSITE FUSELAGE TO MAINTAIN THE PRODUCTION COST BELOW THE TARGET

In September 1992. the four participating governments of France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands launched the Design and Development phase of the NH90 program. Four companies entered this joint venture and shared the D&D activities: AGUSTA (26.9 %), EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND (24.0 %), EUROCOPTER FRANCE (42.4 %), FOKKER (6.7 %). The management of the program is ensured by NAHEMA (a NATO Agency) on government side, and by NH Industries on Industry side. Presently, the foreseen need of the four Navies (France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands), of three Armies (France. Italy, Germany) and the German Air Force is 726 aircrafts, of which 544 in the Tactical Transport version (TTH) and 182 In the Naval version (NFH). The NH90 is a twin engine, multirole naval and tactical transport helicopter in the 9 ton class. The NH90 design is based on the most stringent military requirements jointly expressed by the armed forces of the four nations. For the basic vehicle, particular emphasis is put on general performance (Iow empty weight, high speed, ...), on survivability (detectability, vulnerability, crash behavior, ...), on maintainability, and costs.