RNZAF replaces Iroquois with NH90 -Operational Testing

RNZAF NH90

The Bell Iroquois has been in RNZAF service since 1966. As early as the 1980s the RNZAF considered upgrade options for the Iroquois, but these were not pursued.

Bell Iroquois

The Iroquois’ performance limitations during operations in East Timor between 1999 and 2002 reinforced the need for urgent action.
The Eurocopter NZ NH90s from Marignane, France has been selected as its replacement

RNZAF maintenance staff and aircrew have completed training at the manufacturer’s facilities in France, and commenced Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) will begin. This lengthy process is required to ensure that the equipment that has been purchased is ready to undertake the roles, tasks and missions that Government require. The completion of OT&E will see the NH90 MUH take its place in the NZDF which has been so proudly reserved for the Iroquois for over 40 years.

Manufacturer:  
NATO Helicopter Industries (NHI).

Full interoperability with NATO and European forces.
Selected by 8 European countries with 305 firm orders. It has been delivered from 2004 in Europe.


Power Plant:
Two Rolls-Royce Turbomecca RTM 322-01/9 turbine engines, each producing 2,227 SHP (continuous).
Length:
19.56m (rotors turning).
Width:
4.62m (fuselage and stabilator).
Height:  
5.23m (rotors turning).
Basic Weight:
7000 kg (approx).
Max Weight:
10,600kg, can be extend to 11, 000kg in certain operational situations.
Max Underslung Load:
4,000 kg.
Max Speed:
300kph (164 Kts).
Cruising Speed:
260 kph (140 kts).

Fuel:
2035 kgs (internal), two 500kg external fuel tanks, one 400kg internal aux fuel tank and provision for Hover In-Flight Refuelling (HIFR).
Typical Performance:
Range 780km (420 nm) with internal fuel, range 1260km (680 nm) with aux fuel and endurance 4.45 hours on internal fuel.
Crew:
Two pilots and one or two Helicopter Crewmen (HCM).
Capacity:
Nineteen passengers. Eighteen troops in light order (allowing for door gunners) or 12 troops with packs and equipment. Up to 9 stretchers plus medical staff and palletised cargo.
Navigation:
Two inertial nav units with embedded GPS.
One radar altimeter,
One doppler velocity sensor,
Two air data systems and one ADF and two multi-mode receivers (VOR, ILS, DME).

 

Comms:
Digital intercom.
Three ARC 210 RT-1851c V/UHF radios (one with MILSATCOM) with military encryption,
One Wulfsberg RT-5000 V/UHF radio with civil encryption,
One HF-9000 HF radio,
One RSC-125G Personal Locator and one TSC 2000-2 IFF.
Role Equipment:
Goodrich twin electric rescue hoist,
Cargo hook,
Removable ballistic armour for cockpit and cabin and
Fast roping/rappelling system.
Armament:  
Two FN Herstal MAG 58 machine guns (7.62mm).
Features:  
Four axis fly-by-wire system,
Digital cockpit with multi-function displays,
Electric rear ramp,
Auxiliary power unit (APU),
Folding main rotor blades and tail boom,
Enhanced ground proximity warning system,
Voice and flight data recording system,
Weather radar,
Digital moving map display and
Electronic self-protection system (laser, radar, and missile warning, chaff/flare dispenser).
Provision for future incorporation of:
Piloting FLIR and helmet mounted display system