The NH 90 is a modern helicopter weapon system developed by France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Portugal for their armies and navies. Over fourteen countries have already selected the NH 90, which is due to enter into service from 2005. The NH 90 is based on a single basic helicopter, accommodating specific mission equipment to become either the TTH (Tactical Troop Helicopter) version for armies or the NFH (Naval Frigate Helicopter) version for navies. The Australian version of the NH 90 is designated as the MRH 90.

NFH Version Specifications	TTH Version Specifications
Autonomous Multi-Mission Capability	20 Troops Tactical Transport or
Cooperation with other NATO Naval Components (Ships, MPA, Helos, Subs)	Light Tactical Vehicle Transport
Rear Loading Ramp	Large Internal Cargo Volume
Single Pilot IFR Operation	Rear Loading Ramp
Mission Duration: 4 hours	Single Pilot IFR operation
Embarkability	N.O.E. Flight by Day and Night/Adverse weather conditions beyond the FEBA

Both versions were developed around requirements maximising their survivability. An advanced ILS philosophy is used to enhance supportability characteristics and drastically decrease Through Life Support costs.

Life Cycle Costs

The logistic design is based on the operational experience that France, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands have gained from more than 3000 helicopters in service and extensive practice in international cooperation.

The following figures illustrate some results of the on-going effort to reduce maintenance and repair activities on NH 90:

Standard availability of NH 90	> 87%
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) > 4 Flight Hours (mission systems included)	> 4 Flight Hours
Mission reliability	> 97.5%
Designed Life Time	10000 flight hrs or 30yrs
Maintenance effort at 1 st & 2nd levels*	< 2.5 MMH/FH
Preventive maintenance intervals	> 900 Flight Hours
Lubrication intervals	> 600 Flight Hours

 * Preventive and corrective maintenance excluding engine