Airbus begins testing new NH90 prototype for French army

Airbus Helicopters has launched its NH90 Standard 2 helicopter flight test campaign. This is the latest NH90 configuration that is being designed specifically for the French military to support its special forces operations. The French military has ordered a total of 18 of these configurated helicopters. The Standard 2 configuration includes the integration of the Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system, a new digital map generator, installation for a third crew member and new enlarged rear sliding windows able to accommodate self-protection guns. The tests will validate the design of the new configuration. The prototype of the NH90 Standard 2 has also been equipped with mechanical and electrical provisions dedicated to the distributed aperture system (DAS) and a new generation helmet mounted sight digital display (HMSD-DD) in the view of a future integration at a later stage. These systems will improve the special forces capabilities to operate in highly demanding conditions. Flight testing will continue through to the end of the year.